Final Fantasy XIII

For the first time in recorded history, I have been having a hard time finishing a Final Fantasy title. Though the art and design is beautiful and the gameplay is interesting, I am not at all compelled by the characters or story arc.

The first mistake is in the pacing - the game begins with the characters fragmented in pairs, with the player alternating between groups. It is frustrating to be stuck in this rigid framework for so long without the ability to play with a full party or select party members. Additionally, the player is stuck on a single course of action without the ability to deviate for any sidequests or adventuring. I've never seen such a linear Final Fantasy title and find it very disappointing.

I am finally at the point where the game seems to be expanding - I have entered the world of Pulse, and it seems to be one massive map full of very difficult monsters. I'm feeling the influence of MMOs through this seamless world, but it doesn't seem to be working as well as the influence in FFXII that lead to the gambit system. I don't dislike the battle system in XIII, but I don't enjoy it either. Typically I enjoy job based battle systems, but these are quite rigid and I dislike the allocation of skills - I feel like the system does not complement my prefered playing styles at all. Previous titles have been customizable to the point that I was able to play through in several different ways and find each enjoyable, and I miss this flexibility.