I would also like to know. People say the same when you ask why they didn't like FF: Spirits Within. "It just doesn't feel like Final Fantasy!" they say. I just... don't get what it even remotely means.

If you removed the FF staples from any of the games, would you not just be left with a generic turn-based RPG? Feel free to tell me I am wrong, I insist you do, really. xD