How do people feel about quick time events in rpg games? For instance, in ToT, the devs have used quick time events in tandem with mistresses getting the player character into 'Holds', or to counter/avoid damage. I just played another rpgmaker game recently that also had a QTE system, but this one had a more 'Guitar Hero' kind of event, where you could see the prompts coming as they scrolled down the screen and you had to get the timing right. Another common one that I've seen is the 'button mashing' mechanic, where you have to mash Spacebar or Left/Right arrowkeys (which I never really liked personally).
Asking because I'm contemplating an rpg project and would like to make the fights just a bit more engaging than "My turn. Now your turn. Now my turn." Can QTE's be engaging? Or are they just obnoxious.
Edit: And if you dislike QTE's, what mechanics/techniques have you seen in rpg(maker) games that made the turn-based combat more engaging and interesting?