For you launchies, a month later

[Slothy]

I stand by my comparison to Final Fight: you go through the generic stage killing things that get in your way, then you kill the boss, then you move to the next level.

You realize that describes essentially every RPG ever made?

Anyway, Wolf Kanno pretty much said it best. This is still very much a turn based battle system; just one that gives you some freedom in when, where, and how you choose to engage your opponents.