Quote Originally Posted by Theodric View Post
They need to be careful not to discourage exploration altogether. Whenever I head into a new zone in pretty much any game part of the excitement for me is gradually pressing deeper and deeper into it to see what awaits me.

If they plan to ruin the surprise - especially with the lack of any real unexpected environmental hazards - then it simply makes things feel that much more clinical. At the end of the day it's a Final Fantasy game. It's part of a franchise that has almost always encouraged and rewarded exploration.
Emphasis on the almost
Wanting to see what the next cutscene was trekking down XIII's long hallways with maybe one treasure sphere thing here and there was exciting.
Will the next corridor have a curve? will it curve to the left? will it maybe curve left and then right?! Holy shit.