I am sort of tired of random battles though especially after replaying some of the older games when I can't take two steps before a monster comes and some of those random battles are difficult to run away from. So if i'm trying hard to run away from a fight, but the game won't allow me for whatever reason, I'll lose all but one character who is in critical health and then the game decides to let me escape.

That stuff becomes as hell as annoying. XII for me was perfect in gameplay. I agree with the multiple worlds part that would just make the game and story more epic. I'm not sure if Square would add in a deeper conversation mechanic. It seems to me that japanese developers really aren't too concerned about it.

To Bob on your last line./ Which characters are you referring to when you say kiddy?
Just the child characters like

Palom, Porom, Eiko, Hope, Relm, and Rydia
or do you mean the little perky girl types like

post X Yuna, Rikku and Selphie?