Is that due to the multiple games/features on them?

I tried playing X-2 recently and it was very dissapointing, but X has my favorite battle system. Namely, turn base with seeing the order. Allowed me to plan a little better.

I just finished ToS, better than I remembered. The game has some really good messages, but its really preachy. Basically, it's about no killing, sacrifices, racial unity, and general peace. It just repeats it over and over.

Thought I'd give Fevian some tips should he choose to play it again.
Party to use: (Every character you have gets xp so not using them isn't too bad)
- Lloyd: He's probably the easiest to control and has really good skills, so control him. Plus there are fights you only have him.
- Genis: He's pure magical attack and gets one of the most powerful skills in the game, plus a hidden on in over limit.
- Raine: The healer with two great light attacks. Her heals are great and good for a first run through. I beat it without her using items, but probably needed for the hidden stuff. 
- Colette: She's got awesome skills late game, but the best part is her ex skill combo that gives a 9% exp bonus to the entire party. Everyone has an invidivual one that gives 5%, so it's pretty good, but the 9% cancels the 5%. Save your first lvl 4 ex gem for her.

The other four are quite good as well, but this to me is the best party for a first run. I'm probably gonna try to control someone else my next run.

Skills: Almost every skill is gained by using some other skill 50 times and is activated by that skill or normal attack. Been a while since I played Vesperia so idk if all Tales are like that.

Strike vs Technial: You'll see an T<>S meter in the menu. Those are decided by your ex skills and decide which skills your characters learn. I wouldn't worry about it too much on your first run, just pick the ex skills you want your character to have and it should give you want you want, but Lloyd and Colette are best as S and Genis and Raine are best as T. Especially Genis as T. There was a glitch on gamecube to learn both sides, but idk if it has been fixed.

Grade: Don't spend your Grade if you can. There's a Grade Shop when you start from end data with cool stuff for a second run. Battle info is good since it carries kills over and there's a weapon set with bonus from kills.

Thats really all I can help with without revealing the storyline which is great.  

FF14 is awesome. I got really into for like a month and got a 50 monk with a few 20 crafting jobs. I got back into it for a while and it wasn't the same really. The people I played with were really past me and I didn't know what the new stuff was. I think I'm gonna get back into it when Xi gets some time and use a new job and level up with him.