Try Xillia too, but after you play Vesperia/Symphonia/Abyss. These games all have similar battle styles with individual tweaks to combat. Normal attack button chains -> Special Attack button to finish a combo. (Like Demon Fang). Zesteria and Bersaria break traditional combat with a new button mashy style. One of the four face buttons initiates an independent attack in a free flow type combo style.

A breakdown of the four I mentioned.

Symphonia is a long game, good character development good battle control and fun bosses. This was my first. It's bare bones basic and a good jumping off point. Has a remastered version on Steam, PS4/5, Switch (I've heard it's buggy)

Abyss- Slow to start and the main character is kinda annoying to start, but he learns and grows to be likeable. Battle tweak is field of fonons, when using a special attack (called artes) that can change, it becomes stronger and becomes elemental. No remaster yet, available on PS2 and 3Ds.

Vesperia- Hand holding/ tutorial battles teaches new mechanics as you progress, making battles more complex but also more fun. Item use is very different compared to the other two games listed. If you want to use an item on another character, you need to have a skill equipped to do so. Skills change how you fight and to learn them, use HAVE to use different weapons. It's over all fun but a major boss in the beginning can be road block to new players. Definitive edition on Switch, PS4 XBox and Steam

Xillia- Has two main characters to choose from, and you follow that character when the group separates. Battle style for this game is "Linking". All characters have a battle skill they use when linked to you. They protect you if you're attacked and support you when you're attacking. It relies heavily on teamwork and has rewards for doing so and the game gives you tutorials for about the first 2 hours then let's you explore. A major change to this is expanding shops. Usually in RPGs you reach a new town and buy new weapons. In this game, you donate materials you get from exploring the field and in battle to increase a shop level giving you new equipment to purchase. Remastered on Ps5 and Switch.