A really nice game, if you didn't play the first installment though the story might be a bit confusing at first. But the system is very polished and the character development and details are very nice and what you generally expect of a good JRPG, there are lots of minor characters which will be very eye catching, The overreaching arc is kinda standard sort of friendship and love trump evil sort, but with a solid degree of depth.
This is the starting point of a tremendous continuing saga in JRPG, though for English players only playing the first game will be quite disappointing in most likilihood, the story's true scope and the many character's colorfulness isn't really explored until the second installment,
a very good game, style wise not as good as JA2 due to the lack of personality, but great maps and strategy req.
Although the plot and RPG element is less than BG, the game rules are far more complete and balanced in this than almost any other similar game either in the infinity or other later engines. The RPG element in BG and the fact that by BG2 you were already a demi-god ruined most of the balance element of the DnD rule, this one won't , you start from level 1 and pretty much all class and race are useful and fairly balanced. The plot is actually quite nice , especially if you know the onces from the first installation, it's just that compare to the epic saga of BG it obviously falls a bit short. My favorite party typically revolved around a plot I try to insert myself into the game, where the main 2 char are a barbarian / cleric Human (a young shaman in training from the north) who thought to find help from the south after seeing vision of the coming events, and with the help of a half/elf bard they manage to put together a strong party for this adventure (halfing rogue, paladin, drow wizard, dwarf druid.)
its not without flaws, but it's genius simply overwrite all negative by so much that you don't give a damn about it anymore. (piss, though, there is actually a freeware gamer recreated version of the game)
In terms of artistic style and especially the music, this one is one for the ages, not just in turn base RPG, but pretty much in all games ever made. it has one of the best fantasy style music you'll ever hear , every track is awesome, you can spend hours just listening to the tracks alone.
