In fact, if you're the sort of person that enjoys exploration, you will be rewarded. Keep an eye out in a dungeon and you'll discover pressure plates that open hidden passages. Read through a book and you'll discover a clue to the location of an extremely useful item, not as a glowy item in your quest log but simply as something that you discovered and figured out for yourself. Sometimes entire quests will be uncovered for people who truly go out of their way.
The game's tone is downright enthusiastic. While Dragon Age had an understated tone that served it well, Dragon Knight Saga goes all out. Instead of hints of gryphons that never appear, you get to see a massive flying fortress right out of the gate - and that's just a glorified bus to get from your training area to the first town. The writing just plain goes for it at all times, whether "it" is humor or excitement or depth, and rarely falls short.
If this review is a bit on the gushing side, well, too bad. Dragon Knight Saga almost flew under my radar, but it turned out to be a lengthy experience that was varied and fun the whole way through.
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