were it not for the descriptions like the OP, which conjure an image to me of game mechanics

You might have read way too much into that comment. It still is a JRPG through and through, the devs have made clear comments about the FF (old turn-based) and Persona and Dark Souls inspirations on the gameplay side and the whole frenchness is entirely in the writing and the designs. You’ll get the bulk of the story in the last 10% of the game.