The best J-RPG game ever made alongside FFVII.
Why do I say this is the best j-rpg ever made? Because it is, plain and simply. It has a great story, something you cannot just get up in the morning and invent it thus creating a masterpiece. And when I say great, I say that it makes you feel the game, the pain that the characters suffer, the happy and the sad moments, everything. It is complex, but not to the point you want to kill yourself, but just making you anxious playing the game waiting to see what's going to happen next. If I had to put marks to story I would put 20/10.
The characters are complex too, and you don't know anything of them until later in the game. Some of them have undeniable charm and are really cool alongside his "Gear". Yes, in this game, unlike Xenosaga, each character has its robot (Gear). You improve your gear as you progress in the game, and you gain levels for characters. The character design is animated and although pixelated in game, it is really good. Characters look good nontheless. Gears design is awesome (look for "Crescens" or "Weltall"). The combat system is simple and turn based BUT it is really fun, because you have to make combos to do special attacks (Xenosaga games have this system implemented too, but not so brilliantly imo).
The graphics are good for its age. They are not the best thing of the game but are detailed, so designers put a lot of effort on it. Overall the result is perfect.
The music is awesome. Some pieces are memorable and you will never forget them. Sound effects so so but that is not really important in a RPG is it?
There are some CGIs in-game (usually showing Gears) and are well done. It contrasts with Animated scenes when showing characters.
Better than FFVII? Are you on drugs?
I'm not going to compare both games. They are so different that is not possible. However, something they both have in common is that they have to be played at least once in your life.
I'm not going to throw spoilers, just play this game now!