Ok so I pre-ordered this after only seeing a trailer online and wasn't really sure how it would be. It looked interesting, but I was a little skeptical as most JRPGs that I have played are overly complicated. I couldn't have been more wrong about this one. It is simply amazing. I can't tell how far I am into the game (maybe half way), but it feels like this is one of the best RPGs I have ever played. Nothing about this game is overly complicated. All the tasks are laid out simply, and even the extras are easy to do. The game features a fast travel ability on the map to help you avoid all the crazy walking around and it even highlights quest items on the map so you don't have to endlessly search for things (similar to an mmorpg). Below are some thoughts on different areas of the game.
Story - 9/10
Its hard for me to rate this a 10 since I haven't seen the ending, but I must admit the story line is rather compelling. If it ends well I will definitely give it a 10. There are times where I feel like I can't put down the game because I want to know what will happen next. Hours go by and it seems like only minutes.
Gameplay - 10/10
This game has one of the easiest and best combat systems I have ever seen. It combines turn based combat (like a final fantasy game) with move limitation (like fire emblem, except without the spaces). You also have magic (artes), special abilities (crafts, although you don't actually craft anything so that is kind of misleading), and super power attacks which decimate bosses. I started playing on the easiest setting, but honestly I think it is too easy because of the latter abilities. That said, the easy setting seems pretty relaxing. One of the neat features is that you can fight enemies that are in front of you outside of combat. Doing so will allow you to stun them and get an advantage in the battle, or simply avoid combat altogether as you stun them.
Characters - 10/10
This is probably one of the strongest points of the game. Normally in a game like this there are characters I simply don't want to use. That isn't the case with this game. I like all the characters and often find it difficult deciding which ones to use (although sometimes this is arbitrarily decided for you by the games story). You get friendship points, similar to a dating sim, where you build your relationship with the characters. As you do so you get into their lives and you also gain combat advantages as you level up your bond. Its a neat twist that rewards you for getting more involved in the characters lives.
Graphics - 9/10
Some of the scenes in this game are gorgeous, which is not something you generally expect from a portable console. That said, some of the backdrops seem overly simplistic. When in areas there really isn't much of anything to interact with, but that is mostly a limitation of the console and so it really isn't fair to ding the game too much for that.
Sound - 10/10
The soundtrack for this game is also one of the stronger points. Not sure who wrote it, but it is good. The combat music and boss music really gets you motivated for the fight. Then there is the voice acting. Generally this makes or breaks a game. In this case it really makes the game so much better. Many of the voice actors are actually doing English dub animes. I absolutely love the voices being added to the game and their acting is very fitting with each of the characters personalities.
Overall - 10/10
If you have a PS Vita, and you like RPGs, this is DEFINITELY one worth playing. Take it from someone who was unsure. It is really a gem. I feel like I could play it over and over again and still love it. I probably will play it over and over again and change characters just for different twists on the story. My only cautions on this game are that is seems really long. Again, I have no idea how far I am through the game, but I am pretty sure I have put in around 40 hours and am probably only half way through the game. Most people say it is around 70 hours. Also, some of the scenes run long and don't have save points (anywhere from 30 mins to one hour), so just be aware of that. That said, this game is incredibly fun to watch and has definitely earned a place in my all time favorites (up there with games like FF7, Chronotrigger, etc.).