to someone who haven't started the game and happen to be reading, I'd recommend you to start the game in Refrain mode
I finished the game in Original mode with some ending, but later learned that DLC characters can be only played in Refrain mode, and I have to start over again with almost no difference in story and gameplay beside 2 playable characters added. and I'm tired of grinding so I quitted before finished Refrain mode game
story wise, it was nice but a lot of cliche as we know this game was quite old. also only if you like a bunch of dialogues.
gameplay wise, battles are not very bad if not it needs a lot of repetitive battles for grinding and farming

I enjoy the game very much for what little I have played so far, however, I am rating it negative because I play on steamdeck and do not have the ability to pay for internet at home so the game is unplayable when Denuvo get a stick up its arse and makes the game unplayable until I reverify with internet.

Would be willing to change my review if I could actually access what I bought.

Just one person's opinion but no single player game should be unplayable due to internet...