Hey man, hope you're doing well.
Based on your comments I will clarify some things:
- About Gazz, his development will be acknowledged further into the story. He may seem a complicated character, even though he had a family and place to be, he wans't exaclty happy living that life. That's the whole premisse of the game. In the point you stopped he is still as lost as ever, just not showing it.
- Battles, the more you progress the more abilities you and enemies will have. Although, this applies mosty to bosses. Random encounters may always prove to be annoying in any rpg. And I have to agree, in the beggining most battles are not that interesting, I still have to fix that.
I haven't watched the whole stream, I might be missing some points, if you have question or points you didn't understand, just send a message I'd be happy to respond :)