For first of duology I can say quite good, the bothersome in this game is collecting Djinn(elemental being) they important if you want to advance story since many map need open world action like creating ice blok or growing up vine even stoping time, they also important since combination of them can be used to determine the class the fun things in this game since you can experiment the combination, like 7 earth djinn results as Lord (last class for squire) or 4 fire and 3 wind resulting in samurai (special class) Each character if not wrong have around 15+ class I don't play the second game since I not in home anymore when advance to Junior high
I don't know if I have a particular favorite JRPG but I know what my top 10 are: Tales of abyss The Legend of Dragoon Suikoden 3 Resonance of Fate Chrono Trigger Final Fantasy Tactics Disgeaea 2 The Guided Fate Paradox Kingdom Hearts 1 Lost Odyssey
Final Fantasy (tho I played until the XII, after that I just watched others playing) Fire Emblem Tactics Ogre
Well, the Persona series is way more accessible for foreigners and whatnot so I'd go for that. (I'm talking about Persona 3 and 4, haven't played 5 yet)