Well if you want make-up over depth of character I can see why X doesn't appeal to you and X-2 does. I live in opposite world though.

A certain name used in a narrative does not mean the narrative is bad as with your machina example. Also what's wrong with Polish immigrants? X battle system was actually pretty quick by the time it came out. Maybe it hasn't have aged too well but calling it slow is a little bit exaggerated in my book. Especially when compared to IX it holds up pretty well IMO.

I'd take Yuna's kindness over Dona's immature negative - and even supremacist - attitude any day. I'm having a hard time not to judge your own character if Dona is the type of character you admire. Then again at least she apologises at some point so I guess she deserves some credit.