I'll start by saying that I haven't played a FF since the PS1 days, and that was when I was young enough to not really care about story and stuff , so the source material has no special meaning to me. I like the semi-steam punk vibe I see and the graphics look hell-a-good but the fighting doesn't look very compelling. I kinda' want to watchthe game rather than play it, especially if they've gotten rid of the free-roaming aspect (which Brad commented on in the podcast) and is now just a corridor crawl. Wondering what other GiantBomber's experiences have been with it so far and if anyone has got some insights or are in a similar predicament etc. 

I pushed forward on the thumbstick, pushed X  (A if you're on a 360) and watched some cinematics for about 2 and a half hours. That was enough for me. I decided I couldn't play a game for 25 hours in anticipation of it becoming good.
You should just play it and see if you can get into it. No harm in trying...unless you have to pay for it, of course.

I'd recommend playing it and drawing your own conclusions.  You'll hear a lot of people say it doesn't get good til the 25 hour mark, but you'll always see people who dig it after the first hour or two, I was in the latter category myself. 
 
If you play RPGs for exploration's sake, then it's true that it doesn't get good til the 20th hour or so because that is when you get to the big wide-open explore-y area.  If you play RPGs for the combat, the presentation, the storyline, or the characters than you will probably enjoy it much earlier.  In fact, my favourite chapters of the game are well before that big wide open part people talk about.  I find chapter 11 actually one of the least compelling chapters.   
 
So yes, the game is gorgeous and it has probably one of the best battle systems in an RPG (easily the best for a FF).  The story is okay and the characters are top-notch.  It is linear, whether or not you consider that a bad thing is up to you.  If any of that sounds like your thing, I'll say to give it a shot.  If you're really turned off by linear games (aka JRPGs) then it may not be the right game for you.  If you do give it a shot, go into it with an open mind, don't go into it looking for all the flaws people are pointing out, cause then you will find exactly what you're looking for. 
 
PS.  Don't use auto-battle after you hit chapter 2, you'll be better and find the battle system a lot more rewarding, plus you'll actually be able to get 5-stars on some of the later optional missions.

Just put the finishing touches on a user review, which you can check out if you like. In short, it's a pretty good game. At the same time though, if what you're hearing (hopefully from people who've finished the game; even Brad would caution against taking his word as gospel) is putting you off the game, then maybe it's not for you.

If you can make it through to Paradigm, you will probably enjoy the game.  It holds your hand obscenely so the first few hours, and the combat doesn't really even get complicated until much later.  Honestly, I'm disappointed with the combat system, and it's definitely not your PS1 combat either.  Rent it and put some hours into it, because it's really hard to say either way.

I think it's amazing. Best RPG this gen along with Mass Effect 2 (though ME2 is better certainly)

To me, the battle system is the only thing holding this game together. It's one of the most exciting battle systems you'll find in any Final Fantasy game.
 
In my opinion, it's a soap opera with a battle system.

"In my opinion, it's a soap opera with a battle system. "

" @honey_power said:

"In my opinion, it's a soap opera with a battle system. "

Not just in your opinion. That's what it is. "

" @Meowayne said:

" @honey_power said:

"In my opinion, it's a soap opera with a battle system. "

Not just in your opinion. That's what it is. "

Another and easier way to say this is, It's Final Fantasy...

" @Meowayne:  i like ff8, but it was hella soap-operaey. You had squalls existential angst, Quistis, one of his teachers, hitting on him. You had the stuff with laguna and the lounge singer, and Rinoa is just weird. Not to mention the shocking revelation basketball court. Ugh. "

I would say if you're not interested  in the story aspect then, yes, you will definitely find the first stretch of the game uninteresting. It is very linear and the Crystarium is narrow as well. It's true that the game devotes a lot of time simply to setting up the world and having you learn about the characters, but I didn't necessarily find this to be a bad thing; I'm enjoying the game a lot so far. I've just recently got to Chapter 11, and indeed, the game and the character development system does open up significantly, and many side quests and diversions become available. But like others have been saying, it does take about 20 hours or so to reach Chapter 11. So unless you're invested in the story and characters it's probably not worth it. 
 
Personally, though, I think it's worth it! Maybe rent it and play for a few hours to see if it's your thing.

Leave it on the store shelf. Let that be a message to Square Enix that their fanbase 'does not want'.
 
I wouldn't mind playing through an interactive movie for 25 hours before getting into this so-called 'better experience waiting for you at the end of the game' if the story and characters weren't completely awful.
 
Snow had the most potential and in my eyes, they blew it with him as soon as they turned him into the delussional, loved up hypacontriact that no one believes...fuck off, seen it plenty of times.
 
Oh and Lightning is your typical sister sexist Ripley.

" Just put the finishing touches on a user review, which you can check out if you like. In short, it's a pretty good game. At the same time though, if what you're hearing (hopefully from people who've finished the game; even Brad would caution against taking his word as gospel) is putting you off the game, then maybe it's not for you. "

" @tomte said:

" @Meowayne said:

" @honey_power said:

"In my opinion, it's a soap opera with a battle system. "

Not just in your opinion. That's what it is. "

Another and easier way to say this is, It's Final Fantasy...

No, people need to get that perception of the other Final Fantasy games out of their head. VIII was about romance and it wasn't nearly as cheesy and soapy as XIII; AND it features actual, diverse gameplay and a string of clever ideas. "