Hi Shane,
This is an interesting game with a great story so far...I am even losing sleep as I keep playing to see what happens next! I'm playing late into the night (for me) and skipping my afternoon nap
Currently, I am about 16 hours in with my characters leveled up to Level 21. My team is Raey, Plum, Sett, and Princess Rhiannon. I am battling my way through The Den. I am enjoying the range of playable characters with their different personalities and attributes.
My impressions so far - actually enjoying the music

which I usually don't pay any attention to as I tend to lower/mute the BGM. I find after numerous repetitions, it begins to grate on my last nerve but I'm enjoying it here. I seem to be particularly resonating with the inspiring (almost operatic) music during key moments - and I'm not usually into opera
It took me a few false starts to realise I needed to strip the leaving characters of the best gear (esp. the learning stuff) for the new team coming on board - so save frequently people!!! I have been interested to work with each new team (+ Raey) to work out the best fighting strategies so I like that aspect. What I'm not quite so fond of is the encounter rate - one time I just took ONE step and was assaulted again

The battles are quite tough but doable - you need to work at it.
As you have already said - save often, heal up, and make sure you have plenty of supplies. With the Bucknal Passage, I would have been stuffed if I hadn't been carrying huge amounts of HP and MP tinctures and potions (in the range of 150-200). I am missing the crafting component you have in other games.
I wanted to also say I really liked Robellum - a rather reluctant Boss in the Bucknal Passage 2 who was finding people traipsing through his dungeon are real drag

It was a shame to kill him off - maybe a touch of Barry nostalgia? I don't usually like Bosses - enjoy wiping them out - but I was a bit sad about Robellum
Okay, that's enough from me now - I'd love hear how other people are finding the game, and of course any hints/tips you are holding up your sleeves, Shane (because you always do), would be very welcome
MerryX