A REALLY good step forward would be to get rid of the typical archetype protagonist, as Gamesradar said... I mean, I love Cloud a LOT, but seeing the same personalities, only in different bodies, over and over again (the TYPICAL lonewolf, the never-lose-hope cheery girl, the clumsy guy, the guy who goes out to save the world by sheer good will, etc...)
THOSE THINGS DONT HAPPEN! I mean, humans dont really behave like that you know?? I'd like to see at least a more human character (if u cant customize him like in Oblivion and blah..) who shows anger, selfishness, worry, despair, but also laughs and gets along when he wants to. THATS A HUMAN! Good AND Bad!
Oh and get over the teenage group of random people who end up saving the world kay?!
I DID really enjoy it though. I wouldve never imagined me playing a FPS, (im totally into rpgs like Star Ocean, Infinite Undiscovery and of course Oblivion) but hey, this game surprised me. Its a good buy. But I do agree on the point about the side-quests not being as satisfying as in Oblivion. Still, I love Bethesda. YOU RULE!