Here's why:
* Challenging Encounters: While not overly punishing, the game features a good number of challenging battles, especially later in the game. You'll need to utilize your skills and strategy to overcome them.
* Skill-Based Combat: The game's real-time combat system requires you to be mindful of your actions and utilize skills effectively. This adds a layer of complexity and challenge.
* Balancing: The game's difficulty is generally balanced, offering a fair challenge without being frustratingly hard. It's not an easy walk in the park, but it's also not insurmountable.
However, it's important to note that:
* Player Experience: Your prior experience with JRPGs and real-time combat systems can greatly influence your perception of the game's difficulty. If you're familiar with the genre, you might find it easier.
* Difficulty Options: Tales of the Abyss does offer other difficulty settings, including Easy and Hard. If you find the Normal difficulty too challenging, you can always adjust it.
Overall, Tales of the Abyss provides a satisfying challenge on its default setting. If you're looking for a straightforward experience, you might want to consider the Easy difficulty. But if you enjoy a good challenge and strategic combat, Normal difficulty offers a rewarding experience.