A few tweaks and it could have been a classic
The races are great and each unique to looks and stats. The levels are well designed for the most part and it doesn't actually getting boring too fast even on single player. Combat is decent but after you upgrade you weapons enough times and bear the end of the game you will notice that your just button mashing because you will have to replay levels. The moogle who carries your chalice has a mechanic where he grows fur over time which will keep him warm in cold areas and hot in hot areas. Depending on how comfortable he is he will carry the chalice for a long time or slow down and try to make you carry it. This idea is simply a waste of time because actually trying to cut his hair is like shaving a buffalo with a pair of tweezers.
The Controller layout is also a minor issue which would be perfectly fine if I was using a GBA but with the Game Cube controller I have plenty of extra buttons and shuffling through spells becomes annoying after a while.
What truly makes this game sort of a turn off is the ending. I played all the way to the very last level only to find out that I needed to play roughly 2-3 more years before my stats would be up to snuff for the last boss at which point it became a grind for gear and stats. I didn't know this was a MMO.
Still it was fun while it lasted and if you can get it for cheap don't hesitate to buy it or maybe just skip it and play the newer DS Rings of Fate because they are probably improved.