It's not really for realism purposes, the stamina meter is incorporated into some puzzles and whatnot. It also stops you from spin-attacking everything to death.
Anyway, Smurf.
First up, many, many well-designed games have been made entirely around a control scheme. One example: Super Mario 64. Peope overlook it now, but that game treated the analogue stick (and 3D movement in general) like this game treats motion controls. The game is designed around using the controls for creative and fun experiences.
Also the Ghirahim fights are fantastic. Speaking of which.
__Smurf__ posted...
I would have enjoyed it if I was 14 and thought some guy in a cape with a sword was all dark and mysterious and awesome and and and badass and many other vincent valentine-isms. Characters like him were the type of fan service I'd hope were left behind in the 90's and our current generation of villains were something of more substance so I'll admit I started off on a bad foot with the guy himself. He feels like a bit of a throwback and a lazy rival archtype
Did you read his dialogue? Did you actually watch his mannerisms? He's nothing like that. I'm not sure there's ever been a villain quite like Ghirahim. He's not about being "badass" or "mysterious" (though he is both). He's about being both flamboyant and threatening, and appearing physically bizarre, yet graceful. And his dialogue is an absolute treat to read (spoilers: he gets all the best lines).
I mean how many villains introduce themselves by practically licking the main character.
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^Poorly disguised anti-caps sig