It's hard to put to words, but despite being a technically better product than the first game, this feels like a downgrade. Yes, the first game is a janky mess, but it's got heart. It's charming. This...doesn't feel like that. The battle system is "improved," but really it's just ATB and it's not even a well executed ATB. Levelling up and getting new talents are no longer tied together. Grinding is a thing now, and crafting is apparently actually necessary. The first game's fun simplicity is gone, replaced by a generic JRPG. I really wanted to love this game, but it just wasn't to be.