The beginning leaves an awful first impression but seems to get interesting around the 5 hour mark.  Ultimately, I wish I could recommend a game without a qualifier that requires blind faith, but I think it gets good enough to justify it.   
 
Also, is Chris Hansen going to track me down if I think Vanille is cute? Japanese artists are crafty. 

I think Vanille is 18.
 
I agree with you TC about the game improving. It's a little unfortunate that the opening couple hours are sortof bland and restrictive. Personally, the turning point was when they allowed us to gain Crystarium Points. Funnily enough, had they simply allowed it right from the start (and seriously why wouldn't they???) I think the beginning would have been much more enjoyable.
 
Hearing Brad's sentiments on this week's Bombcast are quite fair (linear, easy battle system), but I'm really hoping he'll stick with it, because the game gets pretty fantastic imo. 
 
 Ultimately, I wish I could recommend a game without a qualifier that requires blind faith, but I think it gets good enough to justify it.
 
I couldn't agree more. You seem like a cool dude! :P
 What are your fave FFs?
My top 3 would probably be:
IX
VIII
IV
Though I enjoyed pretty much all of them except II, III and XII (never tried XI)

" (and seriously why wouldn't they???) "

 I would like to get into this game, but I just don't have near enough time.

 
 Ultimately, I wish I could recommend a game without a qualifier that requires blind faith, but I think it gets good enough to justify it.  I couldn't agree more. You seem like a cool dude! :P What are your fave FFs? My top 3 would probably be: IX VIII IV Though I enjoyed pretty much all of them except II, III and XII (never tried XI) "

Agreeing with/bumping this thread.

Seriously, at chapter 11 myself, and while this game is by no means perfect at all, some of this hate seems a bit extreme, especially since most of the FFXIII board is covered in topics shitting on it.

Sucks for a game to require some endurance to become more enjoyable, but those who are doubting/having little enjoyment early, stick with it.

You know, I'm definitely going to pick this game up once it's on sale in the $20-$40 range, so I don't want to sound like a dude that's just writing this game off and hating on it with no intention of ever giving it a shot.  But, when I sit down with a game, I sit down because I want to have some fun times.  I don't say to myself "Man, in about 8 short hours, I'm going to be having a blast!"  I may enjoy FFXIII quite a bit, but people need to stop making excuses for it.  "Building up a story" and "A game having a poor start" are two completely different things.

" Funnily enough, had they simply allowed it right from the start (and seriously why wouldn't they???) I think the beginning would have been much more enjoyable. 
Hearing Brad's sentiments on this week's Bombcast are quite fair (linear, easy battle system), but I'm really hoping he'll stick with it, because the game gets pretty fantastic imo. 

Heck yeah. I can understand the plot reason for restricting magic, but not really any reason for keeping paradigms away. Just give each character a basic set of shifting class abilities and then you've all but solved the problem. Only "attack" and "skill" for three hours in a game this linear just doesn't work. Throw in a few curveballs to break up the "Up on the left stick, mash X, rinse, repeat" monotony and you have a fun start.

I've already started to see hints of fantastic, so I hope you're right about the second bit.

"The beginning leaves an awful first impression but seems to get interesting around the 5 hour mark."

Hours of boring gameplay to get to something worthwhile just isn't cool.

So should I just tape my "a" button down and go sleep or something for the first 5 hours?

"So should I just tape my "a" button down and go sleep or something for the first 5 hours? "

I like Final Fantasy. I really do. But the idea of wading through boring content to get to a good part is really disappointing.  I know people don't like comparing games and movies or books, but have you ever heard anyone say "Oh yeah, this movie is great, just wade through the first hour, it's really boring, but the last hour is fantastic!"
 
At this point I'm just going to buy FFXIII used when the price drops.

Vanille is 19, so it's okay.  Yeah, the game does start slowly though.  Now that said, the people who are like "zomg it's such a chore" to get through the first few hours, it really isn't.  Yes, it's mostly plot and dialogue, but it's not like the first few hours are totally non-enjoyable garbage.
 
Also about Vanille  (NOT KIDDING THAT THIS IS A SPOILER, don't click it if you don't know.  Seriously, I am not liable). 

Totally agree with the OP... the game is a real slow burner. But it get's pretty awesome half way through the game or so. I don't think it deserves all the flack it got thrown at it.

I can deal with waiting five hours for excitement, so far this post is convincing me to buy the game.  Anyone want to argue against the game past five hours to dissuade me?

"

Also, is Chris Hansen going to track me down if I think Vanille is cute? Japanese artists are crafty. 

"

" I can deal with waiting five hours for excitement, so far this post is convincing me to buy the game.  Anyone want to argue against the game past five hours to dissuade me? "

" @fentonalpha:  Do you mean Cartoon Pussy? "

@fentonalpha:
My mistake.  Cartoon Pussy is a bit of a thing on this website, but now that I think on it, the phrase is actually "naked cartoon pussy".  Pardon my faux pas.