Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core questions

Really want to get this game as I've heard many good things about it, but I just have two quick questions:

1) I've never played any other Final Fantasy games, will I be lost in the story? Is there anything I should know that would make the story better/more interesting for me?

2) How does the combat work, the reviews I've read are a little confusing.

Thanks in advance!

The story is easy to follow, I just beat ut like 2 days ago. The combat isnt hard at all, its pretty easy, not much to get used to.

I'd say buy it, its really worth it.

Crises Core is like the prologue of the final fantasy 7 series so u should understand most of it. And if u want to complete all the side missions in the game then u will be playing this for a while.

its worth it