The combat is why I like the games. Each character is different with their strengths and weaknesses: Firion having good ground attacks but is pretty bad in mid air and Exdeath only being able to move at walking pace but can teleport and block and counter attacks with his spells. Every one has their preferred character or fighting style (Golbez is my favourite in 012 being able to chain attacks and draw in foes from a distance)

Never done pvp but there's enough character and stage variation to keep me entertained. Story is kinda meh from my perspective but I've never been a fan of typical jrpg storytelling.

Tldr; the combat's where it's at