A question to the japanese people...

I'm not really sure if I'm posting this in the correct forum, so please, apologize if this is the wrong forum...

As I am currently expecting for the North American release of episode II (sadly, it will take long), I would like to know from you, people who are already playing the game, how's it compared to episode I...

besides how's the battle system, Load times, mini-games and such, I would like to know your opinion about the story: is it getting closer or farther from Xenogears?

I live in Brazil, and, as a japanese descendant, I've been studying the japanese language for more than a year. I am now able to understand some anime and TV programs pretty well (even without subtitles), but I've been having quite a hard time playing japanese games because of the kanji :(

Well, basically I would like to know wheter the game has lived up to your expectations ;)

sayounara