I don't really understand most of the OP's problems with FFT. Yes, FFT is very open, and I can see how some would prefer the game to have some sort of means of limiting your progression as you go along. But I've never faced a great deal of extra difficulty due to leveling up. I suppose it's theoretically a problem if you grind a lot very early and don't bother learning extra jobs and abilities or buying new equipment, but generally the bonuses you get by grinding (new jobs and abilities) offset the increased difficulty of random encounters (assuming your party is fairly balanced, of course; if you have one character far ahead level-wise, the random encounters can be much more difficult). I've never had problems as a result of leveling up.

I personally favor the FFT style to FFTA, though FFTA did do some things well. I like having more openness and the freedom of picking individual abilities to focus on.