I always thought it was kinda weird that people said the game gets better once it "opens up". It never really "opens up" beyond letting you choose your party members. And maybe it is just me, but once the game opens up the story/character interactions become really confusing/boring...though that may be because I have played through the first half twice.
--
I'm "kind of a big deal".
http://img.imgcake.com/cyclo/Cyclopngegpngre.png