This game feels very "modern" despite its age, and has a lot of quality of life that isn't present in some of todays rpg's. The combat is a mix of turn based and tactics, it's fun and strategic

The story itself is a very slow burn, and doesn't really start until the tail end, that being because this game is kind of just setup for its sequels. Whether that's an excusable reason for a slow story or not is up in the air, but it's pretty relaxing, so I don't mind

However, when I think of 2000's jrpgs that tried being a planned out series from the very beginning.... I just think budgets and cancelations, so I'm not sure if my score would change if those games hadn't released