I'm not a big fan of RPGs, and I don't think I've ever even completed one other than Grandia 2. Something about this game grabbed me and wouldn't let go.
The battle system is very well-designed, no random encounters to slow you down, the characters are very appealing, and the story, while not Pulitzer material, was certainly enough to hold my interest and keep me playing until the end.
The game is very linear in nature, which is a criticism from some, but is actually something I preferred. My interest was in furthering the plot without getting bogged down in side quests and aimless exploring. Excellent game!