This is the only FF I've not played before (barring some side games) and I've just started playing the PSP version.
All I can say so far is that I love it, it's tremendous and I'm already super addicted, I love love love the way character skills and stats develop according to what you do and I wish more JRPGs did that.
So far Firion is a fighter with a fire spell, Maria is a monk with various magics, and Guy duel-wields HUGE AXES!