I didn't find them that bad. Some of the battles can get drawn out though. And since it's game over if the main character dies you really don't want to rush. And sometimes the map is not in your advantage. Especially the second to last map of the third strata for example. I mean you try to advance the enemy will ambush you. You play it safe and lure just one of them to fight, two will take a safe place above you pelt you with magic. Took a few retries for that map. So yea for that part it got a little tedious.