It took me a while to get used to the combat. It wasn't until the halfway point I got a really good grip on the controls and rythm. I'd agree that it's an issue since I couldn't get myself to play through the other plotline in the remaster because it's hard to appreciate the combat system. But there's a lot to appreciate besides the combat imo. Beautiful environments, great character and mob design, good plot, no shitty filler content etc.
I'm in the middle of Act 2 now, and I hate this game. It's unbearable.
You're right that the environments are pretty to look at, and you sure get to do just that, because of the awful map and endless "go there and then go there"-kinda quests. The plot is unbelievably boring too. Seriously, this game.. ugh.
LAME.
edit: Seriously.. this game. This is the worst RPG I've ever played.