Yes, the game is most definetly worth playing to the end. As for tips, DON'T level up very often. Learn the junction system, and always always ALWAYS equip GF stat boost abilities and learn them before anything else. For example, when you first get Ifrit, learn his str+20% 40% and 60% before anything else. Once you have learned these a new ability will come up called str bonus. Once it is learned equip it on a character and every time they level up thier str stat will increase on extra point. If you do this for the entire game you can have some pretty awesomely powerful characters.