My honest input about the game:
· The story is good. I think what it really drags it down is a one-minded villain, but everything else excels at what it does; particulary when Sakaguchi decided to make a tribute to his previous games (you can notice the references to other FF games EVERYWHERE). Disc 3, in my opinion, was the very best part of the game. Also, you have those One Thousand Year Memories, which are short, clever-written stories about Kaim's adventures throughout his life. They're pretty moving, and they add a lot to the atmosphere.
· Gameplay-wise, the game is pretty traditional. You have turn-based system on which you first select what you want your characters to do, and once you've given a command to everyone, the attack phase will begin. Depending on which actions you chose, your characters will attack quicker or slower than the enemies. (An example: using an item is the fastest action in the game; whereas casting a powerful spell might take you few turns before the character finish doing the order).
This is pretty good, and in my opinion it is one of the finest turn-based RPGs you can find. My only gripe is that it is veeeeeeeeeeeery slow-paced. In fact, I'd say this is one of the slowest-paced JRPGs ever. I don't have a particulary problem with this, but I know people can't put up with the pace this game has. It is slow, for everything. Combat animations take forever (they're beautiful to look at, though), interactions within the world, climbing stairs, using elevators...just be patient.
Also, there's a small problem of balance within this game. I won't spoil nothing, but you have two types of characters from your roster: the first half of the game, you will depend upon one of these two types to succeed; after the second half of the game, this type of characters are useless in comparison to the other type, so you won't use them ever again, I'm afraid (as there's no point, unless something story-related happens).
The game, for the most part, is easy. Not too hard, not too easy either. But if you choose to grind and level up the team, you will obliterate everything; including final boss.
· Characters are a mixed bag. Remember that I said there are two types of characters? Those ones on which you'll depend for the first half of the game are the best. They're good developed, they have strong personalities (not that they're all brave or something like that. One of your members is a coward, but he's very funny), etc,etc... the problem comes with the other types, on which, excluding the very main character Kaim, (and, to some extent, another one), these group lacks personality. I can understand this from a story-point perspective, but they're just boring stereotipes.
· OST is pretty awesome. Nobuo Uematsu at his finest too.
· Longevity, overall, depends on how much you want to invest yourself here. I think you could even finish the game in 20 hours, if you merely focus on the main story; but since the game rewards you for exploration and pushes you to do some of its sidequests, I think you can invest up to 40-80 hours, depending on what you want and don't want to do. (I, for example, clocked at 82 hours with 95% of everything done).
I loved the game, by the way. I think you could pretty much enjoy it a lot :)
