This. Most of the time Relentless Assault with odd Combat Clinic now n then will finish them off. You have to kinda go out your way a bit to make a fight interesting and tactical. The Paradigm system helped a lot in that respect, rather tactical, but the enemies sucked to use it against. I quite liked Lost Odyssey's Ring System, it made the typical "pick option, watch it execute" JRPG system a bit more action orientated (You held down RB until two rings aligned while attacking, it'd cause extra damage/effects depending on the ring you had equipped).
As for story I see nothing hugely wrong with FFXIII, it is a game after all, not like most other stories are any better (Nier is up next btw, you guys better not be over-hyping it). Music kinda sucked, I liked the old melodies and such, but FFXIII was a bit too poppy. Only one I quite liked was Barthandulus boss fight with the chorus n such.
I think towns and mini-games helped to break the constant string of fighting up. That for me was FFXIIIs major downfall, no downtime, the pacing was terrible.