Hard disagree on that. Gran Pulse is actually probably the
weakest
part of 13. It's just a big wide open basin with side areas that barely interconnect and that offers no joy of navigation. Like, you know what it reminds me of? Bad MMO zone design, because that is 100% what it is. It doesn't even have the grace of being just
one
bit of the sidequesting like the Calm Plains in FFX, it's where like 95% of the content that isn't story in the game is. It also has the two worst superbosses in a mainline nonsequel FF, too, easily (the super Adamantoises barely even count as superbosses and Vercingetorix is an exercise in boredom and noninteractivity).
Shine on, you crazy diamond.