I've noticed *while we're on console ff topic* that most of the newer ones tend to build up character development with a thin plot that eventually connects to the main thing about 5 hours in or so (of a 40 hour game). The older ones were kinda dumbed down for US audiences anyway. FF4 was a great game with a great plot, and yet, it also took awhile to build into the actual plot (like 20 mins if you play like I did and level up at the beginning). Secret of mana series was great... when I could hold my attention span long enough to concentrate on the massive jumping around in the things I had to do. (speaking of which, I am playing sword of mana on gba as we speak)
I'd go on, but I think I'll hold off on the riot causing ff debates now
-Kai
:EDIT:
FF XII looks good so far... tho I don't know why they finally connected a couple games together (it's in Ivalice [home of Final Fantasy Tactics]) Course, I am not too sure if it has a solid plot yet either, which is the only reason I play RPGs to begin with.