I be sure that other have cover the basic mechanic by now , so I 'll spare anyone who read my opinion from have to read they again . this be also spoiler free . combat : this be the high point of the game for I . it be be a very long time since I play a handheld rpg that the dev team actually go out of they way to make combat more than a tedious chore . the turn\/grid base strategy combat system be so fun for I I actually go out of my way to change up my team to try out new thing . not that there be not a `` golden team '' that be more powerful than other in a majority of situation , like most rpg with multiple party member , but there be no character that be terrible enough to bench permanently . one of the best part about combat be that if you do not feel like fight you can skip every single non-boss encounter in the game by stunning , run and dodge . and if you be good enough at the combat mechanic the lack of level will not hurt you progression . I love it when a game let 's I make decision on what be fun at the time , rather than force I to slog through whatever be not . another nice thing be that you can go back in time to any fight you want and try it again with a different set up just for fun without have to restart the entire game to do so . I wish more game would allow this . story : personally , the story start out interesting but quickly sink into stereotypical theme . it might be fresh for someone who have not play a lot of jrpg , but if you have I would be very surprised if you be unable to guess every single plot twist come from a mile away . the foreshadowing be so constant that I find myself wish the writer would just present the twist already and spare I another crappy moment of `` oh it could not be this thing that it be '' . I also do not like the fact that some bit of the plot come out of nowhere , seemingly write in at the last second to cover a generic rpg trope . no offense to those who find the same old stuff find in countless other games\/books\/movies comforting . it be just not my thing . the time travel via node system seem pretty exciting at first , but that fade away quickly when I realize that the story be still linear . at certain point you will be ask to make one of two choice . sometimes it will not be obvious that one trivial decision will lead to certain doom , but it will . and after you have make this decision it be game over , back to the start of the chapter , press start to skip , go back to Historia to select the right node , etc. . player be encourage to view every bad end with the promise of a special ending , but as it be with the rest of the story it be easy to guess what change by simply view the normal ending and have basic knowledge of usual rpg plot twist . I honestly feel like I waste my time on it and wish I have cheat by use a list to save myself the effort . my main complaint about the story be that this game have the illusion of choice without actually have any to make , because there be always just one right decision . A.k.a. the `` true history '' as it be explain on the back of the box . I prefer to be give choice . music\/graphics : because the review would not be complete without it . the music be pretty nice and the piano version on the CD , if you be able to pick up a game from the original print run , be very pretty . I also like the sprite quite a bit , but that be just my taste . I can see someone who prefer 3d not like it , but say the graphic be terrible just because the art be 2d be silly . overall I like the gameplay quite a bit . if you like fun combat , or even the choice of run away , I would recommend it . however , if you play rpg for the story and be look for something new and interesting it might be better to pick this one up use .