This game is by far one of the finest games ever created. The gameplay is an amazing mix of 3rd person action and real time strategy. By "Sacrifice" they mean you have to obtain souls to sacrifice for better spells and monsters. You have limited control over your mosters (having them follow you, protect you, protect buildings or attack) and you have a group of powerful spells to support your monsters and even lead attacks with. The gameplay involves building up your monsters and spells while traversing the field to obtain more resource nods and eventually destroying your enemies alter.
You get to choose one of five gods to follow, each with their own unique personalities, which determine your monsters and spells. The monsters are very similar in each case (flyer, tank, ranged, soldier, etc.) but the spells are a little different, ranging from volcanic erruptions to tornados to healing and direct damage spells.
The games graphics were done in a way that allows the game to age well. Many of the techniques involved in the creation of the graphics were simplified, allowing the contrast from old to new not to affect it so much as say FFVII to FFXII.
The sounds are one of the best parts of the game. The voice acting is spectacular, both in quality and writing. The spells that you cast are cast by your character reciting latin words strung together with a slight echo added for great affect.
The story for the single player game is fun to run through, especially with the personalities of the gods (the chemistry there is electrifying). Parts of it get dull because much of what you are doing for one god is very similar to another, but the quality of the game quickly erases any redundant parts.
Overall, this is an excellent game and a must play for any gamer. A classic title made by a great team!!