I'm going to turn around and read this entire thread but I don't want other people's opinions to taint my personal feelings.
It was an extremely beautiful game, the characters were likeable cliches, and the battle system was simplified, fast paced, and fun. For almost a month, FF13 was the only console game (not counting handhelds) that I played. At absolutely no point in the game did I feel any sort of connection with the characters, any sense of urgency or accomplishment, any feelings at all for the bland enemies, or any satisfaction after I beat the game.
Some games (FFVII-FFX, Chrono Trigger, Metal Gear Solid 3, Heavy Rain, even Gears of War or Uncharted 2) resonate with me long after the final credits roll. I feel like I've experienced something special. Games with low production values have given me this feeling, too. With FF13, it just feels like a bunch of pretty, flashy events that took place without any real purpose. The whole thing felt random. A bunch of people who were "good" because I controlled them battled a bunch of people who were "evil" for reasons I could care less about.
It reminds me of the Star Wars prequels except that I actually gave a damn about the prequels.
