Traditionally in RPGs, gameplay takes second fiddle to storyline, and I feel that this is how it should be.

Good gameplay is important, but RPGs are known for not having the most entertaining gameplay around. The story is what makes the games compelling and makes people want to play them (at least in theory). My standards for RPGs are generally a bit skewed because outside of the Tales of series, I generally expect a storyline to supersede gameplay in importance.

I'm not saying that gameplay isn't important, and its easily possible to have an RPG with a system that's too crappy to struggle through, but generally I'm far more forgiving with RPGs because the story is what is suppose to make the game. I tend to regard really fun gameplay as a plus in an RPG, not necessarily something requisite to enjoy the game.

And for the record, I enjoy long cutscenes so long as they aid in the telling of the plot. Because, you know, that's why I play RPGs. Plot.