Seem, I always defended the game just based on "linear isnt bad", not really thinking about the reasons why its linear.
Ive also always been confused why FFX is well liked despite... also being very linear up until it opens up at the end? But XIII got memed for hallways???
Personally, I defend the gameplay as deeper then its seems on the surface level as someone else summarized better than I can elsewhere in the thread.
As for the writing, the overall plot is kind of a mess but as I've mentioned a few times in this thread I'll defend the character writing as some of my favorite in the series till my dying breath. Its a good ensemble piece with some good character development. It works for me.