On a relative basis, FF13 is maybe not terribad, though it certainly isn't a great game either. But according to previous Snes and PS one FF standards, it is indeed a terrible disappointement.

I played FF10 to death for the sheer respect I have a for the series. But something just didn't work. Then I tried FF12, got bored after 5 hours and never touched it again. I'm trying hard with FF13, just to make sure it's not an "old sob who hates everything new" kind of feeling, but there again, it just doesn't work: I'm bored. The characters are whiny and annoying, and the game feels like you have to run through a 80kms long corridor. Just like johnhughthom said, they took away the illusion of freedom. But then, saddly, the same can be said about most modern RPG's.

That makes me sad more than anything. I wish the new FF's were as good as the 6th, 7th or 9th one.