I have never played a NIS game, I always assumed they were just too weird for me. They are just not my thing but you're probably spot on with your assumptions. Dragon Quest VIII is probably the only one I can relate to. I enjoyed it a lot, but the game starts off very slow just like the other DQ games. If you can get past that, you will enjoy it a lot. There is minimal grinding in this one, but I would be lying if I said you could beat every boss with no troubles. It is also very old school, so if you like that type of gameplay it's okay. Don't expect anything new, because the game does none of that.
Never played Prince of Persia.

sorry , maybe i can not catch you fully , but i know you are a professional game player , not like me , and i am a vocational player , and i must spent much time to work, but i will play my game at night , if not , i think i can not sleep,