super cliché
Agreed.
tedious
Disagree'd, since I constantly want to move on with the game. This is getting into personal stuff again. I don't know about you, but I don't mind mindless tasks. Most games are mindless anyway.
and has no depth whatsoever
What about the environments? The gameplay system is a bit lacking. SD3 probably has a better depth, but its execution isn't all that great (constantly going into menus for attacks).
Linear
Uh? Maybe you meant the battle system. (But the main factor of RPGs I enjoy is being able to explore environments, which Secret of Mana provides perfectly. Challenge games are good for a challenge. Not RPGs.)
mindless hack'n'slashing.
Hey, I like better battle systems, too. So I guess I'd agree. My above parenthetical comment still stands. Everything else is just a plus. I don't see what's so fucking hard for people (in general) to understand about this. Sure they can disagree personally, but when 100% of the population is telling gamers that games are about "gameplay", it's friggin' nuts. If a game has a good environment, and music that fits, and a compelling story, then I'm sold. SoM lacks good story, but makes up for it by providing scenery and music that I enjoy.