I also liked FFX's system with the turn portraits. Have you played Ar tonelico, which borrows some aspects of FFX's system (including that one), but adds some other interesting twists?

Never heard of it... it's on what system?

PS2. It's published by Atlus/NIS, so the first print run was small, but they gave it a second print run recently, so it shouldn't be as hard to find. The second print run also comes with a bonus soundtrack, which is nice because the music in this game is godly.

That said, don't try playing it on a PS3. There are data-corruption issues with game saves.

Turn based.

turn based

I definitely prefer turn-based but maybe that's because it's hard to implement a really good real-time battle system into a jrpg?
I just haven't found a game yet with real-time battles that makes it as hard and satisfying to beat bosses as in old school turn-based rpg's.
Have to say though the newer turn-based ones are also not giving me my endorphines like they used to...

Turn based .... I was pretty annoyed with the combat system in ffxii.

Turn Based. A few years ago, I would have said that real-time sucked. Now, after playing several of them, like Star Ocean and Kingdom Hearts II, I've finally found a liking for them, but I still prefer turn-based more

i prefur stuff like Fire Emblem to both but Real time like Tales of Symphonia is better than Final Fantasy.
Although all 3 are ok systems

turn-based