You're not the only one who struggled with this---i've heard many a gamer comment on similiar irritations.

I myself seem to be an exception to most things regarding FFXII(and even FFX, for that matter). I've never lost interest in the plot, even when the game requires me to go through several different enviornments and fight a variety of fiends(and be chased by the occasional elemental). I like the freedom of exploration that this game offers. I love the fact that you have to work for your plot essential information, and that in order to achieve full game completion you have to dedicate time, patience, and strategy to the game. And I love the fact that each time I play this game I find something new and interesting about the story(something I haven't found in a game since Shenmue). The plot is subtle, as are the characters. For some people, subtly such as this is not very effective in capturing their interest. Personally, I don't like to have everything spelled out for me---I like to get frusterated at difficult bosses, I like to have to pay close attention to the character dialogue, and I even liked being randomly assaulted by elementals.

Once again, I seem to be the exception. And while I don't share your qualms about this game, I can understand how the way the story and world of Ivalice has been set up can be difficult and frusterating to people who don't have my specific oddities and quirks.