The community is split on this.  It's different. Some love it and others hate it.

Is it at least better than the Tales games?

It's a different animal. Personally I found it to easy, and that was my problem with it. The closest think I can think of is FFXII combat system but more tactful. It's compex in subtle ways, but becaue the game was so easy...I don't think people felt the need to dive into it.

That depends on preference... Both systems are radically different. Ni No Kuni is more real time, turn based, while Tales is action RPG. 

What annoyed me about Ni No Kuni was te dumb ass AI and the fact that I don't think you could alter strategy during battles. I enjoyed the charm overall, so I gave most of it a pass, but it does have flaws for sure. 

Overall both different, but Tales has tuned their battle system over the years to a point where I throughly enjoy it. 

The main problem was with party AI which was terrible. Party members constantly used magic speels and drain MP bar after just a few battles and they used support familiars to attack. I was just recently playing it again and Swaine was using some support familiar to attack a boss which dealt him just 1 HP damage, I was like WTF. This should be a straight turn-based RPG or if they want action then make it with just one character. 

sooooo haaaaappppppy

with PERSONA 5 the best jrpg is coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My main complaint is on the group command. When the Boss does a super, there is no way to command the entire party to defend. So the NPC would just absorb the massive damage dealth to them and that could throw off the entire battle plan.

I'm so excited about Ni no Kuni II, the first one was so amazing with inspiring settings. BTW, I also loved every single piece of the gameplay, but I think I'm almost alone on this lol

They saved the best announcent of the year for this show! For me personally I'd take this over FF7 remake anyday.

What was the sales split for the first between ps3/3DS?

100%/0% since it came out on the NDS :p