I guess? Characters feel good, voice acting helps a lot, I think they did a pretty good job with that. I know you focus in on random textures here or there but the majority of the game looks gorgeous.
Combat is a little basic that early on, in fact honestly watching some of these videos, it's pretty clear there are just many levels to combat that your average player never even approaches. Both from a skill and mental part. Doing the Chadley research stuff and side missions IS helpful, because getting a lot of the support materia like First Strike, ATB Assist, ATB Stagger, etc...all help to make it NOT feel like you have to button mash to fill ATB, and to help keep the other party members ATB's full. Some of the stuff people are doing with Tifa, though...just next level combat stuff. Requires shortcuts, obviously but it's insane.