A couple things to note:
A - I did not read this whole thread
B - I have not yet finished the game yet.

With these two things in mind let me say this. I think A2 is a definite improvement over A so far. I can't truly explain why. With A I was always having to grudgingly force myself to play; however, while I am not as hooked with A2 as I am with Vanguard Bandits or Final Fantasy Tactics, I do enjoy playing A2.

Must admit that I am usually biased against these games though. I HATE learning things from items. And I hate not being able to direct my character's growth(I don't mind abilities have prerequisites but let me pick the order I learn them in). I also think they sorta hurt Blue Mages in this one. Seems that their blue magic lost some of its usual offensive options and the Blue Mages can't equip shields like I recall them being able to. Well I suppose having one of the best stat growths as a hume class still isn't bad, and at least they didn't take away their Mighty Guard or White Wind spells.


Ah well, I guess I just liked the traditional FFV style blue mages more than these FFTA2 blue mages.