The battle system is set in real time, which mean, while you're going through menus and stuff, instead of being in WAIT MODE like the other FF, the monsters can actually continue to attack you. I died four times in the first battle just trying to get used to it. You actually have to pay attention!

If you go to the HOTSPOTS *main missions* they can be quite hard if your characters don;t have the correct abilities (you have to LEARN abilities, like FF9, 6 and FF tactics) or if they have high enough levels *as per usual* but some of the missions are quite funny and entertaining. Like Cuckoo for Chocobos was funny *The boss was easy*

Once you have the battle system figured out, its great but then you have to make sure you have the correct dress spheres on your grids to change to cause you could screw yourself in battle >.< for example:

ME: Ok time to heal!

*goes looking for White Mage Dress Sphere*
*Waists time looking for sphere*
*monsters are kicking my arse*

ME: um... DAMN! I FORGOT TO PUT ON MY WHITE MAGE SPHERE!
*waists more time looking for alchemist dress sphere*
ME: NOO! I FORGOT THAT ONE TOO!
*looks at screen*

ME: EEP! OMG they're almost dead!
*Waists time looking for item cause I never sorted them*
*all characters die*

ME: *SOB* I haven't saved in three hours! *sob*

Yup yup, that sucks! ;p