If you don't have specific expectations, this game can be a lot of fun
GAMEPLAY
Typical turn-based affair. The system is sort of like Metal Gear Acid, except maybe a bit under developed. You have all kinds of moves including movement, attacks with weapons, attacks with spells and running away like a little girl. If you've played anything like Advance Wars you'll know what you are in for.
As in most RPGs, you have to choose your class, your weapons, armor, etc. I found it more confusing and not very intuitive. I had a nasty habit of never having the right weapon for the right character, and the game does a less than stellar job of explaining what some items do.
There are plenty of missions, though in the end, you'll just end up killing everything on the screen. The bosses are incredibly cheap, and nearly impossible to beat, in true Final Fantasy style. By the end of the game you can't wait for the end, because the battles start to get repetitive, and the story falls apart.
GRAPHICS
Graphically I was unimpressed overall. Sprites and effects look good enough, and even sharp. But the squarish nature of the levels and textures in them took a lot of way. I felt like every battle took place in the exact same area with minor differences. There were some notable levels with serious differences, and those were some of the more enjoyable levels.
Effects themselves are nice, but after once or twice it really won't matter. You just want to skip them to see the damage done.
SOUND
Largely forgettable. Music ranged from average to good, typical sound for a GBA game. Don't expect anything special really. (I apologize if there are any special songs that are either clever remixes of older songs or the such, I haven't played any other final fantasy games in a decade really)
VALUE
The game is long. No doubt that if you buy this game it won't be a one night affair. This is rare for a hand held game. I sometimes can beat 2 or 3 new hand held games in a single day. Its kind of sad that developers usually put so little meat into their games. This game is different. You will spend at least 20 hours to do most of the stuff in the game, and with plenty of leveling up to make a super character, you may even get 40 or more hours out of it.
TILT
I usually base tilt on how the story of the game immersed me into the game. The game does a good job making the player feel like they are in the game. Though some story decisions in game kind of disappoint me. By the end of the game I kind of felt like the story had fallen apart, though the effect is depressing in a good way. Many people will enjoy the sense that everything is falling apart.
OVERALL
A good, long GBA game. Apart from some minor annoyances and design quirks, this is a fun Turn Based RPG/Strategy game.