This game has received a lot of criticism the past couple of years, much of which I think is unfair and unwarranted. This game is very close to a masterpiece, only having a couple hiccups that hurt it in the long run. Firstly, the game is gorgeous and the soundtrack is perfect, 0 complaints in those departments. Secondly, the stories, while formulaic at times, have genuinely great messages, and the characters are consistently good and likeable. And last but certainly most important, the combat is turn based combat at its peak. The game gives you so many tools to strategize the way you want, from customizing your team with secondary classes and gear. The exploration is also top notch, as there's no restrictions to it. The hiccups I mentions earlier include an excessive amount of grinding in the mid game, with no bench exp featured in numerous modern jrpgs. Along with this, none of the stories actually connect in any meaningful way, though there IS an overarching plot that ties everything together, which is incredibly satisfyingly. Both of these issues appear to be addressed in the Sequel releasing today, which excites me to no end. I loved this game a lot, and really dont understand the negativity surrounding it.