It's already a pretty unpopular opinion here that I really like Final Fantasy XIII and it's one of my favorite FF games, but after my recent play through, I think I can one up that with something more specific. I actually think Chapter 11 (ie the Gran Pulse chapter where the gameplay "opens up" and you get side missions, where most people say it "gets good/better" as it were) might be my least favorite part of the entire game. The simple fact is that it was the story, characters and the battle system that won me over to Final Fantasy XIII. While there is SOME good characters development in Chapter 11 (particularly for Hope, Light and Vanille) and lore to find, there are long stretches of NOTHING and during all this, the plot grinds to a screeching halt. The battle system can only carry the game on its own for so long. Not helped by the fact that your goal in the longest chapter of the game turns out to be a waste of fucking time (aside from visual and audio value of seeing Oerba...