The story is presented using some well-done scripted scenes, sometimes woven throughout rather exciting battle sequences. Orphen came off as a cocky, egotistical fathead who just happened to be a genius at magic. He's Street Fighter's Ken character taken to the next degree, and at first I hated him. But, his interactions with the other characters are actually entertaining. After playing a bit, I warmed up to him, and started to smile at his taunts and jabs, especially when arguing with his partner Cleo.
Battles are where the game really gets different.
The characters stand in one place, but the enemies move all around the screen, and their position affects your attacks. If the button is held down long enough, an elemental monster appears and deals massive amounts of damage to just about every enemy onscreen.