This is a very well crafted turn-based JRPG: a play through takes 40-50 hours, more or less, which may turn into 60 hours probably if you want to complete everything.

The story is not groundbreaking, but it is well written and even the NPCs in the streets have something new to say after each and every story-related mission. Even with so much text, the translation feels very nice, with none of the usual strangeness of translating directly from Japanese. One warning: if you want to do everything on one playthrough, you'll definitely need an FAQ: there are quite a few missables from chapter to chapter.

The combat system is interesting, especially during the middle of the game and right at the very last fight. Depending on your speed and the actions you take, you'll take different turns and you may be able to wedge in a turn before an enemy acts by using special techniques. It also has a materia-like orbment system. It's quite entertaining, but it can get a bit repetitive in some instances. Thankfully, you can see enemies on the map for most of the game, and it's very easy to avoid battles if you don't need to gain any more levels in a particular area. The game is not too grindy, as EXP is bountiful in a new area and then quickly drops off when you reach the level the designers intended for you to be at.

Highly recommended. I'll keep an eye out for Second Chapter, which should come out in summer 2015 according to XSeed.

This is a very well crafted turn-based JRPG: a play through takes 40-50 hours, more or less, which may turn into 60 hours probably if you want to complete everything. The story is not groundbreaking, but it is well written and even the NPCs in the streets have something new to say after each and every story-related mission. Even with so much text, the translation feels very nice, with none of the usual strangeness of translating directly from Japanese. One warning: if you want to do everything on one playthrough, you'll definitely need an FAQ: there are quite a few missables from chapter to chapter. The combat system is interesting, especially during the middle of the game and right at the very last fight. Depending on your speed and the actions you take, you'll take different turns and you may be able to wedge in a turn before an enemy acts by using special techniques. It also has a materia-like orbment system. It's quite entertaining, but it can get a bit repetitive in some instances. Thankfully, you can see enemies on the map for most of the game, and it's very easy to avoid battles if you don't need to gain any more levels in a particular area. The game is not too grindy, as EXP is bountiful in a new area and then quickly drops off when you reach the level the designers intended for you to be at. Highly recommended. I'll keep an eye out for Second Chapter, which should come out in summer 2015 according to XSeed.