No Towns in Final Fantasy XIII Because They Are Too Much Work.

[Kudistos Megistos]

Wagram said:
If you are a story heavy person while enjoying a really good battle system then this game is for you. If you like exploration and lots and lots of side quests that aren't hunts. Then play something else.

So if you like RPGs, play something else?

There was a time when FF games had good stories, really good battle systems AND exploration and lots of side quests that weren't hunts.

But I suppose those days are over, since HD graphics have a come along and they're more important than gameplay, apparently. (and they are to some companies, since Squeenix had to choose between graphics and gameplay and chose the former).