Well for RPGs...I don't like how the battle systems are structured usually. Usually any difficulty could be attributed to poor game design in them (excepting in a few spots in a few Tales games).
In general though, I do agree they are too easy. One game I have been absolutely addicted to lately is Super Stardust HD - the difficulty is as fair as it gets, and it is a damn hard game to beat from normal to elite difficulties (I haven't beaten it yet and I'm ranked 398 so far in high scores). More games need to come up with better designs, and this makes me suspect that some genres are a bit flawed with accepted elements, especially the RPG genre. Genres like that are better suited to be hybrid with other gameplay elements that are more interactive and that you have more direct control over your characters.