I've come to realize the problem is that they're trying to shove a 2D game into a 3D space. It's fine for any sprite-based JRPG (Chrono Trigger, FF6, etc.) to have a character only face 4 directions and only do 90 degree turns. Or for having turn-based combat where your party stands in place and occasionally move forward to cast a spell. The player can fill in the gaps with their imagination. But the moment it goes 3D, you're seeing the game for what it really is and your imagination really doesn't work anymore. So now you're left with shit like Zamazenta turning on an axis.