Mini-play update
Still in the starting area. My charatcer, Setsuna John, is going mainly a passive upgrade/broadsword/magic using route while the main character I'm going to make into a quick, powerful striker with good combos. It is really a lot of fun putting these combos together and seeing them executed; while the gameplay might not be the hardest, it is still quite a lot of fun.
I've never really seen a game that has such detailed character animations. When characters stumble, get hit with a spell, dodge an attack - they react differently. I've seen about three different dodge animations so far and I'm sure there are more for different enemies. It's really cool.
After playing this, I don't see how you can't call this a next-gen RPG. No doubt in my mind this couldn't have been done last gen, and saying otherwise is pretty silly. Between absolutely no loading times in huge areas and towns to the detailed characters and areas, the game really looks and plays wonderfully.
It isn't exaclty "useless" - but I get your point. I do like how it tells you what items you are getting and your experience, but that doesn't really matter so much I suppose. I've turned it off myself; at least for the lower level monsters it isn't important.