Nice EOIV conversation guys. I'm shocked at how different the reception is, compared to how I feel about it.
I'm playing on normal, and I've been digging the challenge and the way that you have to, little by little, uncover the maps. You prepare as hell, leave town, visit the labyrinth, make it a bit farther than before, use the Ariadne Thread as soon as the TP runs low... addictive stuff. The game is at its best when every enemy encounter is potential death for your party, but you have a chance to win. Now that my guys are equipped with good gear and around level 15 in the first area, the game is actually slightly less fun.
I've just now beaten the first area's boss. I think I've played the game for about 9 hours, but that doesn't include the 3 hours of progress I made in the demo.
So you guys have been grinding? I'm trying to figure out why you're so tepid about the game, while I caught the EO bug in a big way. I think that grinding defeats the purpose and could potentially make the game less fun.