It's a slow burn for sure. I played all of the original release(FC) a couple years ago and at times forced myself through some of its clear filler sections. I did ultimately enjoy it, but It does lack a very compelling through-line mystery or rather it offers one that is dormant for a lot of the game as you traverse through lots of side-plots designed to introduce the world, lore, and more local concerns for your team to assist with. It reminded me of Grandia a lot, a bunch of episodic-like stories while the key narrative dips in and out giving minor breadcrumbs now and again.

It did succeed for me with its cheeky localization(unclear how that will pan out in this new game given demo comments), lots of fun jokes and bright and positive vibe. Estelle especially making me smirk often. Further you really begin to grow an understanding of the world and region and realize the setup for future games within and beyond the boundaries of this game does shine through a bit. There is a compelling conclusion that bridges right into the sequel too(which many still consider their favorite entry of the franchise).

But it's a lot of meandering through a bright anime world with plucky young heroes doing good deeds for a majority of the game.