the story is just fine, sort of just a minor expansion on the high entia arc stuff from xbc1. the stuff with tyrea is pretty cool. it really feels like a take it or leave it thing from a story perspective, definitely does not feel essential in any way, but maybe xbc2 or xbc3 changes that. gameplay removes everything i found enjoyable in the gameplay for xbc1 and feels really inadequately balanced.
not quite sure what they were cooking with gael'gar