It doesn't get a whole lot better, honestly. The tutorials don't stop until chapter 10 or 11 (out of 13, I believe) so you don't get to choose your party or customize much until then.
The story does pick up a bit but the gameplay is frustrating until everyone's all together. After that it's a ton of fun, though. If you like what the battle system is teasing you with now, you'll absolutely adore it later if you put the effort into getting there but otherwise, I just wouldn't really bother haha. <_<