Maybe having parts of it being RTS or if the AI in the game could make the fights and battles more action packed.  The MC does get hit every once in a while.  The charactors would move more and not just stand there until their attack timer is full.  They would dodge and do counter attack.  Like in FFXII  there are 'gambits'  which acts like a brain for them...(you'll have to play the game to really get the idea.)  The more they fight, the better and stronger they become and you can add more 'gambits' as the game progresses.

In other words I'm not saying that it should be exactly like Final Fantasy, but using that game play idea and expanding on it...