I started up the game on Friday evening and have since put 18 hours into it... I'd perhaps feel worse about this if it wasn't for the fact the next month is so busy, so I won't have as much time to play!
Overall I've been really enjoying the story and the cast of characters that have built up. I foresee a lot of backtracking in my future, which is a real shame for a world that looks so big. I guess as long as the story makes up for it and gives us a good reason to be going back and forth then it's okay.
Also I'm 18 hours in and still don't have the hoover board that Namco were going on about, and I can see a lot more places where it'll be useful. ;_;
Is it just me or does the combat and map feel quite similar to Xillia in how they work? Like, more an improvement on Xillia than Zestiria in my opinion.