You hit 8 nail on the head for me. I just couldn't get into it at all
I personally haven't played any of the recent FFs, but all I can think of is that the charm left when Uematsu left. Come to think of it, if a game cuts corners regarding any aspect of the game's presentation, then of course it doesn't compare to previous games in the series that strived to improve on it.
The only question that would be raised though, is thus: why is FF9, a game that to game reviewers seemed to have also cut corners, is generally better received by fans than even FF8? The key I see with this is mostly due to its return to a more nostalgic style with hints of FF1's assets, which seemed to help its long-term likeability. From what I saw of FF13 though, it doesn't seem to be falling back in quite the same way.
You can call my thoughts completely wrong, but it's all I can think of in regards to why these recent FFs aren't living up to expectations :\