Every Final Fantasy is linear to some extent, ffxiii was only a bit more. The real problem is the lack of little sidequests any where in the game as you progressed through the story line. In that sense, the only thing ffxii and VS have in common is the lack of towns. Which is why it is such a poor comparison when there are games closer to it (12 other final fantasies).

FF12 and VS share key factors in common - real time battle, art style, theme.

Back on topic, FF13 - the game, not the title - would have been viewed as the second coming of jesus christ were it considered a new IP. Its too bad people don't always have an open mind when they first listen to a new song, see a movie, or play a new game, because when they do everything changes and everything they believed before is no more.

What I don't really understand is how amazed people are people didn't like FF13. Remeber how only four years ago people were complaining about FF12 being too "vast and overwhelming?" This is #13 and we still haven't learned a thing. I would bet my car FF15 is going to get the same reception from another crowd and they will be just as loud.

It's really shame that turn based combat system is pretty much dying away at least on home consoles. Lost Odyssey is still pretty much only turn based JRPG on HD consoles. Where are my turn based JRPGs. =( LO sold just fine considering that it's on X360.

the battle system is pretty much MS word's menu right now

You summed up my intended response perfectly. Saying that Ravager/Commando/Ravager sums up the battle system is a minimal explanation for the gameplay. If this type of minimal explanation was used for any game, I could make the game seem like a shallow, repetitive experience. Especially in some of the later battles, particularly the Cie'th missions, I would actually say it is necessary to use all of the different classes in the same battle and be proficient at switching back and forth between them very quickly depending on the situation. I also must say I completely agree with your final two sections(the edited part).

just grab a DS (I would say a PSP as well, but your profile says you already have one), IMO its got all the best RPGs this gen.  Even excluding the remakes and ports, its still got the 2 Mario & Luigi games, Final Fantasy 4HoL, Final Fantasy Tactics A2, Dragon Quest IX, Both Dragon Quest Monsters Joker games, Golden Sun DD, all the Pokemon RPGs and loads more.

It's really shame that turn based combat system is pretty much dying away at least on home consoles. Lost Odyssey is still pretty much only turn based JRPG on HD consoles. Where are my turn based JRPGs. =( LO sold just fine considering that it's on X360.

Are you serious, i think if the name Final Fantasy wasnt on the front cover it wouldnt sell over a million copies, yet alone 6. the western audience accepted JRPGs with FF7, if FF7 never happened, this game would just be another JRPG that fades into the night, like many other RPGs have.

this is completely different, FF12 was a broken, game. the director left half way because he didnt want poor storytelling, and unrealistic characters like Vaan, (like FF13s cast) in the game. FF12, is simply a broken game, that was broken by a troubled development.

FF13, is specifically made this way so Square could reach the same success as FF7, thats the point of Fabula Nova Crystalsis. only the developers had no idea, that games are about gameplay, not about watching 6 hours of melodrama. (which some people compared to soap operas, but i wouldnt say that personally).

Are you serious, i think if the name Final Fantasy wasnt on the front cover it wouldnt sell over a million copies, yet alone 6. the western audience accepted JRPGs with FF7, if FF7 never happened, this game would just be another JRPG that fades into the night, like many other RPGs have.

this is completely different, FF12 was a broken, game. the director left half way because he didnt want poor storytelling, and unrealistic characters like Vaan, (like FF13s cast) in the game. FF12, is simply a broken game, that was broken by a troubled development.

FF13, is specifically made this way so Square could reach the same success as FF7, thats the point of Fabula Nova Crystalsis. only the developers had no idea, that games are about gameplay, not about watching 6 hours of melodrama. (which some people compared to soap operas, but i wouldnt say that personally).

Every Final Fantasy is linear to some extent, ffxiii was only a bit more. The real problem is the lack of little sidequests any where in the game as you progressed through the story line. In that sense, the only thing ffxii and VS have in common is the lack of towns. Which is why it is such a poor comparison when there are games closer to it (12 other final fantasies).

FF12 and VS share key factors in common - real time battle, art style, theme.

Back on topic, FF13 - the game, not the title - would have been viewed as the second coming of jesus christ were it considered a new IP. Its too bad people don't always have an open mind when they first listen to a new song, see a movie, or play a new game, because when they do everything changes and everything they believed before is no more.

What I don't really understand is how amazed people are people didn't like FF13. Remeber how only four years ago people were complaining about FF12 being too "vast and overwhelming?" This is #13 and we still haven't learned a thing. I would bet my car FF15 is going to get the same reception from another crowd and they will be just as loud.