Or you get Xenogears (you can make arguments about Disk 2 - I'll accept the obvious callout because it was murdered by lack of budget and deadlines). It doesn't have the most stellar mechanics ever, but it doesn't need 'em. The story of it IS the main draw, and it's pretty damn good.
JRPGs are a separate beast entirely. I can't think of any other video game genre that so entirely removes the story-telling elements from the gameplay. They practically are two different things. You watch some story, and then play a game that is related to the story but is not the story at all, then repeat. There is a reason that LPs of JRPGs are so popular. Many people don't really need to even play the game to enjoy the story.
--
http://img.imgcake.com/nio/bokbokbokpngur.png
Mr Caffeine? He was awesome. - Ayuyu