The plot / writing feels like it was put together by a 13 year old, or maybe an AI. it's almost interesting, and almost makes sense, but doesn't. Things just sort of "happen", and they don't really make sense and aren't really explained. Character motivations are unclear. Also, the gameplay is shit.
The world they created is super compelling, which seems to always be the case with Final Fantasy games. I just wish they could make an actually good game to go with their top tier world building and art direction.
FINALLY some vindication for the FFX enjoyers. There were flaws but I thought final fantasy was finally pivoting in the right direction with regards to storytelling, and nothing that came after felt like it lived up to that standard.
God damn I remember being totally drawn in when the story reached the blitzball championship game. So many threads converging at once: chasing after the church goons kidnapping Yuna, while getting glimpses of Wakka holding the line for one last game, wondering if the al bhed girl is gonna make an appearance after seeing her crew skulking around, and FINALLY running into Auron when things seemed to be calming down, with the main character losing his composure after learning that Auron won't be able to fix everything like he'd been hoping for over the course of half the game's length. Societal and character drama all swirling together in one great "episode," it showed real understanding of pacing and drip-fed worldbuilding that, at the time, made it seem like no RPG franchise out there could match Final Fantasy's overall polish and professionalism.