If you got the console, get this game... FAST!
One of its best points would be in the graphics area which, starting from its opening credits, is obviously highly prepared. The environment is very lavish- from dark, bleak forests to a floating Skycity. It will leave you in awe. All monsters and characters, even NPC's which you cannot talk to are very clevery positioned and designed, paying attention to detail. One thing that I just missed from the previous FF titles is the very nice skill animations. Not that there is none, it's just that you cannot really pay much atterntion to each skill due to the very, erm, complicated "gambit" system. Cutscenes are great - not you're average polygon movie.
Sounds are very impressive as well, although most of it is very operatic and theatrical. I personally miss the upbeat audio from FFX-2. Voice acting is superb. I can't quite figure out is the accent of some is Irish, Scottish, or maybe old English? Anyway, it jives with the seemingly Shakesperean dialogue which likewise suites the story.
Speaking of the story, witers particularly jumps from the light-hearted Final Fanatsy X-2 to the mature plot of FFXII. The story is engaging, and is cleverly made so that you could explore the vastness of the world Ivalice. All dialogues are well made. What's really commendable is the dialogue of the different scattered NPCs in the whole world. Most of the time they actually help you out in your current quest, and some give you really great quotes. This story is epic, and is one of the best plots ever in gaming history.
I can't speak anything more about the new battle system other than: different. Not exactly better or worse, the new system either lets you just sit back and enjoy or takes off the whole RPG experience, depending on how you look at it. Personally, I think it is a better change that makes the battling and leveling-up a more solid, smooth task to do.
Over-all - This has got to be the best game of the year in the Playstation 2. If you got the console, get this game!