Yes, I've heard that the grade store is back :)

Sounds like a lengthy game...
I usually take longer on games... Yes I'm a slowpoke...

For example, beat Crisis Core in around 25 hours, on normal mode... with barely a fifth of the side quests complete...

Another glowing review just hit(8.5/10) from driverheaven, which said this:

Initially I found the experience rather shallow and mundane, however after a few hours you begin to realise that the characters are actually quite well rounded and there is a certain amount of depth to the background story. I am a sucker for a good story, especially if it enhances a connection with the characters you are controlling.

I'll add it to my review thread in one last final update whenever the gametrailers review hits.

Anyway, yes, this game is LONG. Anyone who bought it and caught a bad first impression, keep playing. I promise you, the game has a great plan for pacing, which usually entails a quick start in the first couple of hours, drop, then a buildup till the end.

It's really long. It's not gonna show you many secrets in the first 10 hours. It's like season one of Bleach. The story and gameplay get really, really, like AAA good.

I mean, if you think you're loving it in the first 2 hours....just wait. This game is gonna blow you away.

If you hate it in the first two hours, beat it anyway. You'll probably end up still liking it a lot.

I've shown a lot of people Tales of Symphonia, and it always works out one of two ways.

The either beat it, and love it, and talk about it all the time..or they get 4 or 5 hours into it, and quit. If you stick with this game, I'm telling you, you might end up with an underground game that you really cherish far more than the AAA of the moment, when all is said and done. There are so many badass Gamecube games, that Tales of Symphonia just beats the ass off of, imo. Last gen, naming my top rpgs, I go FFX, FFXII, Symphonia, Path of Radiance, Disgaea, Persona 3. According to reviewers, Vesperia is everything Symphonia was, but better? Oh hell yeah. Bought. Give her time. She'll grow on ya.

 To sum up Tales of Vesperia...

Tales of Vesperia >>> Awesomeness 

So far, the best jRPG of this generation. Really enjoying it.

game rocks 5 hours in.

The game is great so far. I've only played Destiny and Symphonia though so I don't know how good it is in comparison to the rest of the series. I think it is equal to Destiny, but worse than Symphonia. This could change though seeing that I still have to finish Destiny, and This. I will post my opinion after I finish all three.

I haven't played it yet but from what I heard, Vesperia is Symphonia in terms of basic gameplay but better.

Well I have played both and I prefer syphonia's story. Though ToV does have the edge in gameplay, by a little though nothing groundbreakingly different. They are both excellent though. Actually I might say ToV is better than Destiny because I hate how slow destiny's battles are, and the presence of random encounters. The story in Destiny so far is about equal to Vesperia's. So I would say  right now Symphonia>Vesperia>Destiny. I have to finish Vesperia and Destiny though so I'm not too sure where they will end up seeing as my opinoin changes alot.

I can't wait to pick this game up!