A short jumble of thoughts from my time playing Final Fantasy XIII thus far.
 

1. I really don't miss towns that much.  The fact that the game is constantly moving and giving the characters no time to rest at inns and engage in serial home invasion only helps the story, really.
2. Once the game gets up to speed a couple of hours in, the combat system proves to be awesome.  It's a variant on the Active Time Battle, but the flow of battle is engaging.
3. The Crystarium is an excellent improvement on the Sphere Grid.
4. Dude, the Chocobo theme has lyrics this time around.  Also, chocobos are still awesome.
5. Am I the only person that actually likes all six party members?
6. This game is very, very pretty.
7. The Eidolon battles are ridiculous.
8. I have to agree with Lightning.  Not a good birthday.
9. I can't remember the last time a Final Fantasy game gave me this much of a challenge in run-of-the-mill battles against field enemies.
10. This game is unbelievably awesome and I can't wait to play more.
    

It's nice to see someone who's actually enjoying it, especially in the early parts of the game.

What a surprise. 

" It's nice to see someone who's actually enjoying it, especially in the early parts of the game. "

" What a surprise.  "

"engage in serial home invasion  "

I agree with pretty much everything you're saying, and you're not alone. I also find all six party members to be awesome. Sazh is my favorite, but I really like all of them and I think that this might be my favorite cast in a Final Fantasy game. The combat is definitely pretty awesome.

Fellow Persona 4 avatar speaks the truth. 
 
But yeah, overall glad to hear you like it, always nice to hear positive opinions when things are awash with negativity and gripes.

" A short jumble of thoughts from my time playing Final Fantasy XIII thus far.
 

1. I really don't miss towns that much.  The fact that the game is constantly moving and giving the characters no time to rest at inns and engage in serial home invasion only helps the story, really.
2. Once the game gets up to speed a couple of hours in, the combat system proves to be awesome.  It's a variant on the Active Time Battle, but the flow of battle is engaging.
3. The Crystarium is an excellent improvement on the Sphere Grid.
4. Dude, the Chocobo theme has lyrics this time around.  Also, chocobos are still awesome.
5. Am I the only person that actually likes all six party members?
6. This game is very, very pretty.
7. The Eidolon battles are ridiculous.
8. I have to agree with Lightning.  Not a good birthday.
9. I can't remember the last time a Final Fantasy game gave me this much of a challenge in run-of-the-mill battles against field enemies.
10. This game is unbelievably awesome and I can't wait to play more.
    

"

I really don't know where you're coming from with the Crystarium.
 
Glad you're digging the game though.

Hmm, I'm pretty sure I won't like the game, but I'm glad to finally hear some good things about it.

" SRSLY HOW CAN YOU LIKE HOPE! GAH! it's making my brain hurt, him trying to use logic, and failing horribly. though the rest of the cast seems fine.  with the exception of vanille's "skip to my lou" animation, the game seems absolutely fine. LOVING IT, eventhough hope is still an emo bitch... "

I haven't played it yet but I bought it the other day. I am looking forward to getting stuck into it soon.

The story is nothing special imo (hate the afterschool special style story telling) but I like Lightning and Fang...and the battle system is the best in the series imo
 
Thats enough for me i guess

Im currently in chapter 10 and im really enjoying it so far. Loving the battle system and I'd say Lightning and Fang are my fav characters

Wow pretty much my thoughts exactly XD I'm just starting chapter 10 and really enjoying it

" A short jumble of thoughts from my time playing Final Fantasy XIII thus far.
 

1. I really don't miss towns that much.  The fact that the game is constantly moving and giving the characters no time to rest at inns and engage in serial home invasion only helps the story, really.
2. Once the game gets up to speed a couple of hours in, the combat system proves to be awesome.  It's a variant on the Active Time Battle, but the flow of battle is engaging.
3. The Crystarium is an excellent improvement on the Sphere Grid.
4. Dude, the Chocobo theme has lyrics this time around.  Also, chocobos are still awesome.
5. Am I the only person that actually likes all six party members?
6. This game is very, very pretty.
7. The Eidolon battles are ridiculous.
8. I have to agree with Lightning.  Not a good birthday.
9. I can't remember the last time a Final Fantasy game gave me this much of a challenge in run-of-the-mill battles against field enemies.
10. This game is unbelievably awesome and I can't wait to play more.
    

"

I'm on chapter 10 and I'm having a lot of fun with it and enjoying the game in general.

Im about 5 hours in to the 360 version.  Game looks amazing.  I feel like im watching a Final Fantasy movie like Advent Children, only I get to control the fights and walk around a bit.  Im usually a cut scene skipper but the story and characters so far hold my attention and I have not skipped anything yet.  At first I was a little unhappy with the combat, thought the auto battle made things too easy... then I started getting killed a lot and realize I there is more to it.  I couldnt get to sleep last night , doing paradigm shifts in my head.  
 
This is my first time really playing through a FF game, so far im really enjoying it.  I just finished Mass Effect 2 and I think im going to enjoy this just as much.  Its a little less in the action but Im digging the story and characters of FF much more.

" @KuwabaraTheMan: that doesn't change the fact that he tries to put a knife in snows back... I really want you to consider WHY he does it. he watched snow, hanging form a "cliff" with his mother in his hand. she falls and then HE FALLS... "