The user interface is fairly non-intuitive; I think I got the hang of it, but combat is cumbersome (it is real-time and I felt I opened myself to getting hit by enemies as I fumbled trying to cast spells). The story is not great, hampered by the really lousy voice acting. I think the game is successful in terms of making me feel my characters' progression as they leveled up and grew more powerful. I used the cluebook extensively; I don't see how I could have gotten through the game without it.