<---NO SPOILERS HERE---> I've had friends who haven't played the original tell me the issue they saw with it was it wasn't an open world JRPG like dragon quest or the last Final Fantasy. Although linear that is how the original was in this area you spent about 40 hours in midgar if you were grinding and really taking your time doing everything. I am beyond happy with the extended story and character development. Everything in the game looked like Square really poured thier love and time into it. Detail in combat can only be compared to a cinematic experience. I only wish that when the second part comes out it unlocks the world of FF7 and we see the possibility for endless combat outside of an arena.