What are you playing?

There is a faster way to get around later. I don't see what you don't like about it; I thought it was the best game in the franchise. Completely made up for the steaming pile of series-ruining-pomegranate that was 'til The End of Time.

 Spoiler

Why should they be TRYING to following boring character archetypes? Not that I particularly liked most of the characters in SO4, but I think that complaining about them not being MORE stereotypical is kind of ridiculous. I mean, the kid was creepy and her relationship with whathisface was pineappleing gross. Welch was annoying as pomegranate (pineapple YOU LAURA BAILEY). The little cat girl whose name I can't remember was also annoying. I really like the scythe-user, and the pink-haired magician. Edge and ...I want to say Miranda? His love interest, anyway, weren't horrible. They weren't terrific either, though. But yeah, more cliche would've been worse.

And I loved the battle system. Blindsides are the pomegranate. Story was also decent, though it was a little too sci-fi at some points (though I think the "Return to Earth" is really awesome). Either way, it beats the hell out of WE'RE ALL CHARACTERS IN A VIDEO GAME, and because of that dumb plot twist they had no choice but to take the story back to a prequel (and I wouldn't have played it if they had continued on from that point with either a) everyone blissfully unaware of the truth of their existence, b) everyone aware but keep going as if it never happened or c) have someone else try to interfere from the fourth dimension. which are really the only ways the could've gone with it.) So instead we get to see the events that lead up to Star Ocean 1, and as players we get to keep it in mind that NONE OF THIS IS REAL (INCEPTION) but at least it's not a present factor in the story. Stupidest god damn plot twist ever I WANT TO PUNCH TRI-ACE FOR DOING THAT TO ONE OF MY FAVORITE SERIES.

First off, Spoilers.

 Spoiler

I had not met a number of the characters you mentioned so far, so I can't judge on that. I'll agree with you that I absolutely hated the ending for 'til the end of time, and that it really made no sense. However, I still very much enjoyed the game-play. Nostalgia goggles quick addition is probably a factor as well.

Now, I haven't played through the first or the second of the franchise despite my owning the second, so I can't say one way or another on that topic. But certain things that were present there are degraded here "In my opinion".
1.) Item creation. The game has apparently removed additional characters and given you the number of things that could be created from the start. While completionists would find the list elsewhere, example, it still gave a bit more of a curiosity to things.
2.) Maps. Ok, SO3 was a peach to map complete, but if I'm remembering right, the map wasn't given to you from the start and was so large as to include spoilers. I mean, really; I can tell that the planets will have a revisit from them and can see where "surprise events" are going to happen from the get go. There are some advantages to that, I'm sure, but it just bothers me while playing.
3.) Dictionary. I think this was a problem in the prior game as well, but I look at it fairly often; and they aren't accounting for other terms within the description that have yet to be defined. I found the name of the Gregori far before it was even explained that they were referring to those crystals. I found the description of planets before they were even mentioned in the storyline. I just don't like the spoilers when I see them placed out in game. The dictionary should have been a bit more dynamic in that it could replace key terms with vague descriptions until that entry was explained as well.

On the point of characters, I don't think that they need to be any more stereotypical than they are at all; just that it seems it was what they were aiming for, and that it doesn't really feel like the movements match up with the emphasis that the characters are portraying in their voices. Again, I'm probably just getting tired of it which is why I was being more analytical than on prior games. It doesn't mean that I don't see it elsewhere; because I do, and they are overused. If anything, there is a little originality in the character of Edge in that he can mostly hold in his temper versus other wild youth which I have to give them credit for; but the whole remainder of the cast so far have just been bland to me somehow or another.

Lastly the point about the battle system; yeah, I was doing it wrong. I've gotten the hang of it since then, but would have liked a "back me up/heal" tactic so that I'm not required to be the full time healer during boss fights.

Don't take it as a personal dislike of the game as much as me just getting tired of the JRPG formula. Likely due to the size of my library. I am still playing it after all, so I am having fun with it. I understand that originality is basically impossible in terms of character creation asides from scenario. I guess I just am being overly critical as it is among my first impressions for the current gen that I'm catching up with and have had to wait so long to afford and experience.