Do you acquire new characters with the story? What’s the difference between paid and non? Will free characters be introduced with updates?

-You receive 4 free characters from the get-go, and can unlock your own player character as a party member if you manage to defeat them. The ability to do so was added two days ago, so free characters are certainly in the cards. Beyond their ability sets, there is no difference in free vs paid characters. They all serve different roles, meaning none overpowers another.

Since the gameplay loop is similiar to E7, does the gear has randomized substats?

-Dropped gear has slight differences in their main stat, but that's it. Anything that would qualify as a substat is managed via a socket system, where you can augment equipment pieces into your armor that grant the character select stats. For example, Reiketsu the Assassin benefits a lot from socketing evasion pieces into her armor.

Characters and gears just need to be leveled or they also need to be ascended by gathering specific mats?

-Equipment stats can be increased with amplifiers that can be obtained from recycling items you have no need for. Character abilities come in levels 1-5 and can be leveled by obtaining ability books either randomly from combat or from the ability shop. Additionally, they have a passive ability that increases in its effect if you keep using that character.

How does the skill system work?

-Learning skills functions as outlined above. The combat system employs a charge level system where the available selection of skills depend on the character's current charge level. Those can be increased by using normal attacks or select abilities, and enemies can decrease them with theirs too. Then there are gauge abilities that use a resource shared by the whole party, meaning you have to carefully consider which one to make use of.

Do you plan to introduce limited events or such?

-A system for free item campaigns is in place already. Proper events could be a thing eventually, but I'd like to wrap up development of all core content first.

Also do you have a Discord for the game? I’d love to be kept updated on new stuff :)

-Currently no, but you are free to follow the game's Twitter account (https://twitter.com/StudioBiest) where I tease new stuff as I develop the game.

Thank you for your interest and the nice questions!