Honestly, I feel like we played different games. I feel the cast is incredible, the story was compelling and it was filled with tons of memorable moments like the escape from the Rabanastre castle, the first meeting with Lady Ashe, Balthier and Vaan's battles with the Seeq guards in the prison, the Leviathan, the destruction of Mt. Burimasce Temple, the destruction of the Leviathan, Vossler's betrayal, the Temples of Raithwall, the whole part of the party entering Archades, Gabranth murdering his friend, anything with Cid, and the entire Giruvegan/Pharos stuff. The game was freaking amazing.

Great plot twist were the Occurians, Balthier's past the truth about the Kings murder, Venat, Vossler's betrayal, and Lady Ashe's decision, to name a few.

As for the characters, I don't think I have ever said it better than this. Which was from this thread from a few years back...

To me, XII is the most "human" FF, I really felt the cast and story was far more realistic and natural than previous casts. The Plot was simple the but the acting and execution was pretty spot on imho.