It has a LOT of similarities to star wars, but I wouldn't go so far as to say its BASED on it.

Another thing that people didn't pick up on is, while Gabranth is like Darth Vader, he uses bounty hunters on the side who are after Balthier (just like Vader hiring Bubba Fett to get Han Solo). Some similarities are too striking, but its more like the creator wasn't consciously aware of his influences. I'm a story writer myself and it happens to me all the time. I get an idea and then see the film or game that I got the idea from and I'm like "oh THAT's where I saw it".