I didn't like it because yes, I am a traditionalist. That's why overall I prefer DQ like a million times over FF - they keep changing shit around and sometimes it's hit, other times its miss (like X2, the less spoken about that one, the better). I'd take refinement of a solid concept than failed innovation any day of the week. The battle system just didn't work for me... positioning just felt very strange and archaic to me, kind of like I was trying to play it as an action RPG but it didn't work quite like that... plus I don't like how monsters just keep coming endlessly and they're a bitch to run away from - and there's an awful lot of fights even without random encounters. FFX or even the old ATB systems both work fine for me, and don't really need to be changed... I still don't get the random encounter hate, but even if you saw an icon representing the monster on the map, that when it touches you you get into a fight, that still wouldn't be bad at all. I *DO* like how there are actually dungeons in this game and not just slightly forking paths. And storywise- I definitely prefer the more sci-fi storylines over dry political drama but I'll have to wait till the finished game to see what happens with it.
My list:
FF1 - my favorite game when I was 7. I still love it, mainly for nostalgia
FF2 - hated, too frustrating and unbalanced. Nice story for the time though.
FF3 - awesome, there's just so much stuff to do and it's challenging without being ridiculously unbalanced, lots of jobs to use and master
FF4 - awesome, great story and characters... loved the music too. Favorite game ever back in middle-high school
FF5 - probably my favorite FF - the job system is extremely refined and allows for nice customization without being too game-breaking (though Samurai/Coin-Toss comes close).
FF6 - ehhh, overrated. Story starts out nice but I don't really care much for the plotless, more character-driven second half of the game. Esper system was pretty annoying, I remember not particularly caring for it... plus this game was the start of all those items and techs and spells that made FF games so easy - once you have 1 or 2 characters master Ultima, it's all downhill from there.
FF7 - I liked it quite a bit, it's got my favorite FF story, even if it has its slow points (like the chase Sephiroth from town to town parts), graphics were revolutionary for the time, and I liked the music.
FF8 - Couldn't stand it, junction system was awkward and confusing, how do I know which spells provide for the best increase? Drawing takes too long too. Earning cash on a salary, raise your pay grade by taking tests... what the hell? And god, the story... the orphanage scene is like the worst plot twist in RPG history.
FF9 - Ehhh, I didn't like it or hate it, I'm more apathetic. Story took too long to develop, although I did enjoy the 'return to the old skool' style. Like the ability learning system. Hated the lame 4 screen long dungeons.
FF10 - I liked it, the story was decent, graphics very nice, battle system was pretty fun and a good change of pace from the ATB without being retarded. The sphere grid was an interesting concept and it was balanced, up till the end of the game where all the balance goes out the door. Though it was too linear, I would have liked much more in the way of exploration.
FFX2 - One of the worst RPGs I've ever played.
FF11 - I hate MMORPGS, and this looks boring.