I always chuckle when games seem to tote a mechanic that existed for years as something new. Granted this is new to the non-MMO FFs but I still have to chuckle about SE waiting 26 years to use a mechanic that DQIII utilized in NES era.

With my pretentious slam over, I will say that I enjoy this mechanic, especially in a game where I can explore so it is a happy inclusion for me.