Final Fantasy Games

I have finally gotten around to experiencing some of the FF franchise, by recently playing FF1 on the PSP and FFXIII on Xbox 360 (I know, I’m stuck in the past still) The soundtrack is amazing on both, graphics are stunning on XIII (even FF1 is still very aesthetic for a simpler time in gaming). The story in XIII is intriguing and even addicting so far, but I feel like it is more of a cinematic experience than a game; just push a few buttons every now and then until it gets to the next cutscene. It never really requires any thinking, solving or precision. It’s great in every other aspect but the gameplay isn’t actually satisfying. What is it about these games that has created such a cult following? I’m not hating on the game, just genuinely curious. The games seem to jump from the fantasy/medieval settings to cyberpunk/sci fi which I am surprised appeals to the same fans. Is the gameplay in the other games in the series much different?

Final Fantasy XIII is pretty weak compared to the older ones. To answer your question I think it's a mix of their stories, characters and music. The games do a decent job of placing you into that fantasy world. I agree that the gameplay is mundane. I'll play an entry every 2 years or so when I get in the mood. It might be nostalgia for me because I can replay the older ones, up to XII (except for VIII, that one sucks). I cannot get into the newer ones.

Yea i'd have to agree 13 is probably the weakest in the series. I think 6, 7 ,8 and 9 are really what made the series so successfull. Those games kind of perfectly did the Jrpg genre to a degree which hasn't been done in the series for a while since. But for most newcomers to the series the low res polygon graphics can be really offputting :'(.