most people I've talked to liked the new combat and paradigma-shift system. (well actually everyone said that but I haven't asked all of my friends yet)All I can say is, Square really needs to fix their developement teams. FFXII was terrible. Now FFXIII is suffering from the same fate.
not to mention that they actually prefer seeing enemies rather than running into random encounters (which are so annoying that even the producers realised it and added G.Fs. with a "no-encounter" bonus)
not to mention that every single one of them likes the story very much and said its probably one of the best in FF-History.
most of them say FF7 is better though..
u see, opinions are different
I don't agree with "TLR looks better" though
because you can cleary see it does not.
TLR had lots of texture-failures btw.