It has an even slower start then 2 gameplay wise imo (blade combos really held my attention early) because the Keves/XB1 style classes are slow as fucking balls without the master art system to gain Agnus/XB2 style arts to help liven them up but depending on how fast you play through the story that is only about 3 or so hours (took me about 4 because I ran around a lot). The Nia like class is super fun though imo, it flows so well even early on with its three initial arts and gaining master arts just makes it better by far my most favorite class to play so far out of the 8 I have right now.
Plot wise, it is a better hook at the start although the characters are a little, I don't want to say dull, but they aren't as colorful out of the gate and can feel a little muted and potentially boring by themselves at times. They really do feel like indoctrinared child soldiers, besides maybe Sena who's a little too peppy, that's for sure but they are ramping up to something interesting I'd say. I actually like Lanz though because's he's like Reyn with his "I know I'm the muscle so I'll be the best muscle for the group.", but with what feels like a notable character motivation because of an early event in the plot. Noah is okay so far, he's not as dumb as Rex felt, he's a little like Shulk where he feels a little plain in a good way albeit more somber sounding due to his circumstances.
I like the plot well enough so far, faster start then 2 in that department where it only takes maybe 10 hours for things to start ramping up notably after the initial hook instead of about 15-20 that 2 felt like it did. Nothing in 3 really feels like filler like 2's start did with most of chapter 4 and a good part of chapters 2 and 3.
I'd say combat wise past the initial start this is more like 2 (without blade combos obv), but with way more interesting chain attacks (by far the most intricate chain attacks in the series, and no gacha autism. Class grinding doesn't feel painful if you want to do it once you get chain attacks to get EXP boosts against NMs, especially if you just use normal mode to make fights go faster. The only 'problem' is it really feels like you need certain classes early on because your options for Break/Topple/etc is super limited.
You and I share a roughly similar opinion of 2 it seems and I'm enjoying 3 quite well so far, so take that how you want.
Haven't gotten to him yet, I just got the healer robot guy with the gun.
Shame, though I did spill a bit of a daiquiri into the face buttons about a year back. Thing served me very well for a long time. Don’t get martini glasses.
