While its geared more towards RPG newbs, veterans of the genre won't be disappointed. Allow me to explain....
Brave Story New Traveler does a great job of reeling in newbs for the RPG genre without losing the attention of RPG pros. It is not a strategy RPG game, but it does use a turn based battle system. Most people who resent RPGs hate having to read long in-game tutorials explaining all the facets of the game, blah blah blah.
In Brave Story NT, there are only a few in-game tutorials and they are all concentrated at the beginning of the game. Also, these tutorials are not incredibly necessary. So if you didn't pass 3rd grade grammar, you can still learn the controls to this game in a jiffy and just skip through the info it gives you.
STORY
Read the GS summary for a synopsis of the story.
If story is key to you playing a game, then you wont be disappointed with Brave Story New Traveler. The story is not too convoluted, but does have a few twists to keep you immersed in the game. The ending is pretty solid, but could have been a little stronger. But don't worry, it's not another 'Blade Dancer' ending. Ugh!
BATTLE
The Battle style is pretty straightforward. Only 3 of your party members can participate in a battle, but this is plenty. You have normal attacks (of which you get more as you reach new levels), and you have Magic attacks (known as Bravura). Bravery points (BP) are what fuels the bravura attacks and these points are equivalent to MP in the FF series. To attack you just select an attack from your skill list and watch while your characters pwn the heck outta those nubs! Bravura moves are a combination of advanced normal attacks and actual Magic moves(things such as healing, elemental attacks, and the like). There are also UNITY skills which are skills where your party combines forces into one attack. Not all unity skills are attacks, but the majority of them are.
WEAPONS and ARMOR
Each character gets a specific armor type, a specific weapon type, and 3 accessory slots (consult the crafts section for more info about accessories). As in most RPGs, you will find new weapons that will boost your attacks and new armor that will boost your defense. The best weapons also may have some type of extra ability such as poisoning your foes. 'nuff said really.
ITEMS
There are numerous items in this game broken down into a few different categories: healing, potions, stats enhancement, attack items, etc...
You can purchase these items from town stores with the tems (currency) you collect or you might just pick them up off of enemies and/or in treasure chests.
CRAFTS
Near the beginning of the game you will be given an accessory maker so that you can create your own accessories(crafts). In order to create crafts you first need the diagrams (blueprints), and then you need the supplies. Some diagrams are housed in treasure chests while others can be attained through sidequests and/or are given to you out of generosity at certain points in the game. So what do these accessories do? Well, each character gets 3 (and only 3) accessory slots. The accessories are rings, necklaces, armlets, and crests. The rings are the weakest and the crests are the strongest. So lets say you find a life diagram 1. If you collect the supplies listed then you can create a Life Ring. This will boost your HP when equipped. The Life Crest will boost your HP much higher, but will require Life Diagram 3 and different supplies. Life is just an example, though. There are several accessories that increase stats such as agility, constitution, wisdom, bravery (BP), etc...
CHARACTERS
There are several characters in the game that will join your party, some will only join temporarily while others are here to stay. Leveling up is a key part of this game, and as you travel through dungeons and journey across the world map you will encounter random battles that will help you achieve the next level. As you go from town to town, dungeon to dungeon, more and more characters will join up. And each of them have unique (and often hilarious) personalities.
SIDEQUESTS
Another strong facet of this game is the abundance of sidequests. The main quest will take you several hours to beat, but to complete all the sidequests will take you even longer. Not only are the sidequests numerous, but they are also very enjoyable and typically don't require too much backtracking. There is also a bird collecting aspect of the game where you can catch birds and brawl with other birdcatchers. The bird brawls are very funny and cute to watch and if you win you get little goodies. You can also trade certain birds for neat items and upgrade your birdcage and bird nets.
TO EXPERIENCED RPG FANS:
If you're an RPG machine, then you wont find this game very difficult. That does not mean it isn't enjoyable, though. But this game does allow those who are new to RPGs to stick with it and not give up due to impatience. For example, you dont really have to spend a LOT of time fighting random battles and leveling up. The bosses aren't cupcakes, but you don't have to reach level 90 to beat the first 3 headed dragon. So just know that this wont be a beast of a RPG.
TO RPG NEWBS:
Do yourself a favor and DONT give up on this game after the first 10 minutes. Maybe you hate reading, maybe you hate random battles, but just remember that once you get past the beginning, things really pick up! If you collect the first gemstone and still hate it, then you can say sayonara, but give it a chance to grow on you. It wont take long!
ENDING NOTES:
So to sum things up, Brave Story NT has many different aspects to it, but the game is not hard to piece together. Once you get started you will have a tough time putting it down. The story is fun and immersing equaled by the gameplay. And if you're a vet and knock this game out in a day or two, then there are numerous sidequests to whet your appetite for pwnage. I highly recommend this game to gamers of all levels and would so so far as to say that this is the best non ported RPG for the system. So have fun!!