I think it's a good thing that FF12 doesn't look anything like it's predecessors. In fact, from what I've seen of FF12, it looks like it's going to be the best Final Fantasy game in a very long time. And no, I didn't say the same about 8, 9 and 10 before I played them.
I don't really care if they break away from tehir roots, as long as certain elements stay to make it feel like an FF game. Remember, change is the reason we don't have FF1's battle system, sounds and graphics. It's evolution.