I Don't Get the Complaints around XIII

[Rozaheku]

When they take away choice that is a flaw

Stop right there.

Choice even in Final Fantasy games is an illusion most of the time. You seem to confuse "choice" in gaming with problem solving and not every decision you make is a choice.

Problems direct you towards a goal and choices let the player choose their goal. Any solution you make in a game that has a "best answer" or solution is a problem. For example, deciding in Final Fantasy VI to use the magicte to get a sword or an exclusive summon is a problem not a choice. Choicing to get the summon is obviously the best solution as you can steal the sword anyway.

Choices are when your asked to decide between two options of equal value. Like deciding how to set up your party.

Bottom line, "choice" in Final Fantasy games are an illusion most of the time so saying FF XIII is bad for not tricking the player in having a free will doesn't make much sense.

When they take away interactive NPC and reduce their number massively that is a flaw

NPC = quality

When they keep you to a linear corridor for 90% of the game this is a flaw

This is merely a design choice. because a game doesn't have X amount of choice doesn't make it a bad game by any means especially since problem solving is the core of gaming and not choice.

When they take away traditional towns that is a flaw

And trying something new instead of same old same old is bad? XIII is different and now it sucks.

When they take away control of characters that is a flaw

Final Fantasy is about giving your characters orders. You still have control over them, you still decide what they do. XIII is no different unless you like manually putting in the command "attack" a zillion times each battle.

When they stop you choosing who is in your party that is a flaw

Only during certain parts of the game you aren't allowed to do that. Same with every other FF with multiple characters to choose from. So that isn't even a valid complaint.

When they make the game have too many cutscenes or a bloated story at the expense of gameplay, that is a flaw.

Once again based on your personal preferences. Otherwise everyone who is a fan of the visual novel genre would like to have a word with you.

I could go on and on and on. But your logic is that less is better and it is a desperate argument that supposes taking away choice is a good thing.[

There is no "more" or "less" in this case as it is an illusion. It's the same or something different. You either accept that or you don't.