123 hours, 16 minutes, and still going.

User Rating: 7.5 | Final Fantasy XIII PS3
I have finally beat Final Fantasy XIII! It only took me, 123+ playing hours to do so. I bought this game when it first came out in 2009, and it is now half way through 2013, and I only just beat the main story line. I still need to do all the mini missions and gain access to all the ultimate weapons. I foresee myself being immersed in Final Fantasy XIII for another 20+ hours. But should I? I also already have Final Fantasy XIII-2, should I just skip the mini missions and continue the XIII story line? That will be determined as I proceed with the mini missions, and see how dedicated I am to 100%-ing this game. I've always been one to finish what I've started, even if it takes me 4 years to do so. We'll see. We will see.
As far as FF13 goes, I was a little confused about the story. Even looking over the story summaries through these long years. I'll be completely honest, I don't even know what the story is completely about. What was the purpose for our heroes journey? This is strictly rhetorical, nobody needs to answer me.
I do like the expansive crystarium that comes with FF13. But because of the separation between the different classes, it makes the game linear (plus the already linear story line). I was hoping for more.
The crystarium leads you to the very strategic fighting system. I have very mixed feelings about the fighting system. I like the newness of it, but I'm old school, and I still like the back and forth turn taking. When it all boils down, about 80% of the battles are all the same. Start with a Com/Sen/Rav, mix up with Rav/Sen/Rav to help stagger an opponent, the all out with Rav/Com/Rav. That's it! You just battle the same battle over and over and over again. Repetitiveness is redundant.
As for the sound, visuals, and game play; you're going to get everything you expect from SquareEnix. A great game, great composure, and good story line. I did expect more when I first bought this game. But, if I was looking for FF7/FF9, then I should stick with my PS One. I hope that FF14 ARR has every thing that I like. But for now, on to mini missions and FF13-2.