The game play was fine. I'd go with great even. Warp strikes are amazing. Plus at one point I fought a tonberry(think Yoda) wielding a light saber.
I thought magic seemed stupid at first. Then I very much got into it.
The story is "fine". Then I watched a video on youtube explaining the story. It is much much deeper than I realized. Little hints here and there, meanings I didn't realize etc.
Not the first FF I'd suggest. But it is the easiest. Plus yes it looks damn good.
You are bound to love Earthbound.