Didn't expect to see this game release so early (5 days before the actual release date). And I'm lucky to get the last copy in game shop
Played for an hour and just completed the first map. Maybe I can have some early impression on this game.
Box Art and Instruction Menu:
Title Screen:
Graphics
The graphics improves from FF3 remake. I think it looks like FFIX on NDS but better. It is in general smooth without lag but for a few times some textures are broken. Loading is fast between map (about 1 sec)
2nd Town:
The view angle is changed automatically but it mostly stays 45-degree from top. It is sometimes annoying when you are in town since your view is sometimes blocked by trees and houses. I don't find it is a problem in battle yet since the map is designed to avoid such problem. There is a nice opening CG too (about 1 min).
BGM
I don't think it is impressive yet. Maybe it is too early in the game. I am surprised that there is voice act in the opening (after CG) and during important events. And the sound quality is not too bad.
Control
You can use buttons for most actions, including movement, attack, picking and menu select. The only thing that you need to use touch screen is special attack. When you want to use special attack, you press R and the main battle screen is changed to touch screen. Then you tap on the enemies to trigger. From the instruction menu, different characters will have different way to use touch screen for special attack. So far the control is smooth and responsive.
Battle
It is a typical ARPG that you need to explore the map and solve some puzzles. To compare with Zelda PH, it is simpler. Only need to find the right "keys" and buttons to open the gates in first map. I hope there are more variations later on. You can see the location of enemies on mini-map (also on the top screen, I wonder why SE can't put it on bottom screen). I would complain there are too few enemies on each map. The battle, including first boss, is easy. I wish it is just because of the first map.
Final Word
Can't compare with Zelda, esp on creative puzzles. But to me, it is far better than Children of Mana. I haven't tried multiplayers yet. I hope I can try and give impression later.