Okay, I see once again I am too late and fellow master BTV took care of you.

If you are careful you shouldn't have anyone ever crystallize. To make sure of this, make sure you always have a chemist (who can use phoenix downs) or a Priest (who knows Raise) or a Monk (who knows Revive) on hand, or someone with those skillsets equipped (Knight with back up Item or Archer with Punch Art, or Black Mage with White magic)

It is true you can get Cloud, but he's not the behemoth he was in VII. He's still good, but your powerhouses are Ramza, Agrias and of course, Orlandu. (You'll get them all, don't worry)

20-30 is a bit off. If you want to get Cloud, level up decent and do all the stuff there has to be done, I'd sey 35 hours minimum, this includes all the leveling up as well. If you want to master the game (have every character learn every ability possible, all characters 99) You got 70 or so hours looking at you.

This game does have some fun sidequests, but there isn't anything nearly as challenging as Ruby or Emerald weapon. Most people will claim that this is one of the simpler FF games, and they are right, but the fact is its one of the funnest and that more than makes up for the lack of difficulty, but this game can and will be difficult if you make it so (by not powering up).

Enjoy this game and if you've got questions, we've got answers... Pep Boys..er... FFT boys. LOL