I'm in chapter 8 but imo the story's execution is one of the best in any JRPG rather than try hard to not use the classic tropes and scenarios they've gone and put their own spin and execution on them. The villains are far more intriguing than many of their peers in the genre, the party of characters are well developed and setting is really given good depth.
Combat wise the aren't many RPGs that will match the system here tbh it even beats out the other XB games in this and gameplay.
All this and the's a new game plus update soon and a new story later this year.