The dungeon setup is pretty interesting, with three main acts that each bring something new to the table (the third act letting you fly around is a game-changer because it opens up tons of exploration possibilities). When you're working through these areas, you'll notice the combat system does something clever by mixing turn-based strategy with real-time actions, which actually makes fights more engaging than you might expect.

Getting good at parrying and dodging is crucial because the timing windows affect everything else you do (and believe me, this'll save you later when facing tougher enemies). Most players overlook this at first, but targeting weak points while chaining combos together is actually what makes the difference in harder fights. The gradient attacks are particularly powerful once you've built up your bond levels with party members, which is why taking time to develop those relationships pays off in combat.

Something worth knowing about lumière, the final story area - it really tests everything you've learned about combat synergies and build crafting. The optional dungeons scattered through places like the island of visages are perfect for practicing these mechanics, and they reward you with deeper character bonds (these affect your combat abilities in ways that might surprise you). The nice thing is you won't need to grind levels mindlessly, since each encounter is designed to teach you something new about the combat system.