First of all, given the perspective of the story meeting Vayne first hand would not have made sense. Vayne is a shadow character working the insides of politics until the death of the Emperor.

Secondly, saving the world every game is getting pretty humdrum. The mission in this game was way more realistic. The lines were unclear to Penelo and Vaan, that's the way life usually is. History rarely posts a giant sign saying, "hey, here is the big bad villain! Please kill to save the world."

I thought FF12 presents hope for the future of this series, by expanding its audience and growing up plot wise.