There HAS to be a pause in the text so you’re not bombarded with a huge conversation that goes way over your head quickly, especially if the text is there (so you have time to read it). People bitched about this with FFX and it’s really an obvious answer. I’m with Cid on this one.
As for other aspects, well, SO3 is a lot smoother and quick than SO2 was. It’s basically not turn based at all, obviously, and you just run around and kill things. The battle system is so fun, since you have to build up a gauge which will allow you to win things such as triple exp when you fight the required amount of battles, which is the key to levelling up in the game. You have to have patience.
The music still gives you that SO2 feel, however, a lot of the music has been “rocked up” if you know what I mean. The PA’s are automatic now (meaning you don’t have to press square)
There’s no overworld map, you need to walk to all of your destinations, which isn’t that annoying, because in the main world you stay in, you’re just passing over hills and plains.
The characters are kind of generic, but interesting. They grow more important and personal for you later on.
The storyline is kinda predictable if you start thinking in the abstract. I figured out what as going to happen, and a lot of people didnt receive it greatly, but it didn’t shock me too much.
Give it a try, the first few hours are really slow, to build up a storyline, but once you start getting into the field and fighting, you’ll like it. Similar sounds and graphics are present, as well as Item Creation, however, you need to recruit inventors to make them, which is expensive and challenging.