No one can deny that a lot of the typical Final Fantasy elements were cut from this game. You highlighted many of them, and countless reviews before you have done the same thing. Where I think you all go wrong, though, is in not recognizing the positive side of these cuts. You do have to give things up, but in return you get storytelling which is, honestly, fantastic. I don't believe that FFXIII has the best or most original storyline out there (though it's good), but I think the presentation is better than anything I've seen before.

The typical problem with RPGS or other "free roaming" games is that the storyline is, of necessity, interrupted every time you wander off on your own. You get sent on a rescue mission, decide to kill rats for five hours instead, and completely forget what you're really supposed to be doing. Once you remember and finally make your way to the cavern where little Jimmy is being molested by a fire lizard, do you find a pile of gnawed bones? Nope, the lizard's still there, looking menacing, like he's been doing for the last five hours. Everything just hangs, waiting for you. Sandbox games are fun, but they all sacrifice story to give you free reign. Those that take it to extremes often have their storylines ignored entirely, or completed as afterthoughts just for the sake of doing it (Morrowind).

FFXIII goes the other way. It clamps down on what you can do, and where you can go. It carefully sculpts your character development along appropriate paths, providing only the vaguest illusions of choice. This is somewhat frustrating, but in return, it gives you a perfectly paced story with regular updates and excitement. It gives you boss battles that are always challenging and strategic (despite the decrease in battle depth, the elimination of grinding means that you won't saunter in to a boss 10 levels higher than him, and hit attack till he's dead).

Other games have tried to do this (Mass Effect 2 comes to mind as a recent example), but none have really gotten it right until FFXIII. I've heard people describe other games (derisively) as "like playing a movie," but that's never been appropriate until FFXIII. Number thirteen really is like that, except for once, the movie is GOOD, and you're always involved in the thick of the action. I can definitely understand the complaints leveled at this game, and they're fair, but I really think that if you enjoy story driven games, FFXIII is a game you shouldn't miss.