The thing about this question and the responses I always see focuses on the combat, the perception (to each their own) of it being repetitive encounters, grunt difficulty, and so forth. All quite valid, and understandable to me. Yet Does anyone dislike it for other aspects?
-Unable to understand or care about the story? Be it about Chinese history, Japanese history, weird mix of historical figures fighting together, retelling of different cartoons like Gundam or First of the North Star, etc?
-Too many characters and so there is a sense of getting lost and not really sure on what to do early on except "mash buttons"? If people can feel "lost" without clear purpose and sense of growth in other games, I can imagine being true here as well with how much is offered.
- A lack of connection with the material it's tied to?
- The length of time it can take in some of the games to actually accomplish something? At least the length of time it can feel it takes, even if you are fine with the combat and types of encounters?
- A disinterest in the idea of finding "loot"? Is that even known? It's quite the draw for some I know to get every weapon or treasure or power, much in the same way of Diablo and other games.
- Couldn't care less about the idea of maxing out levels for everyone and everything? It's been RPG boosting for quite some time now, truly becoming "one without equal".
- Is it the fact "it's not you/your character" improving? This was an issue of mine until Samurai Warriors Chronicles came out, which gave me the ability to make my own character, choose a style to fight, and build him up and level up as I would like a RPG of old.