Summary not for everyone

Pros: Ashley Riot is one of the best RPG heroes out there. the story can be confusing, but it's a twisted story that soon unravels itself. the armor/weapon modifications are great. the break arts were a nice addition to normal and magic attacks. speaking of magic, you have four classes of magic: Warlock (offensive spells w/ levels), Shaman (healing/cural spells), Enchanter (affinitive spells), and Sorcerer (aid spells); with many spells in each category. puzzles are challening, thinking critically helps to solve a couple of them Replay mode opens up several new areas- including the Iron Maiden 2.
Cons: I didn't find many things wrong with this game, other than the main combat stategy: run up to the target and keep attacking it until it's dead. the Risk system can become a problem during big fights if you don't have the proper items. for new players: understanding the opponent's weaknesses can be difficult, to ensure a quick victory.

Reviewer's Comments

i found the battle engine very similar to Legend of Dragoon, with timed button taps to continue an attack (or Chain). for new players, it can be become a pain.
the weapon/armor upgrade system can be confusing, but its not too difficult to understand.

Personally, this is my favorite RPG. the characters were great, the story was intriguing, running around dungeons to gather weapons, items, etc didn't get too tedious. the game is one of the best out there.