The transformation mechanic could have been better thought out and yeah additions are not only better at times but more important since only by grinding additions could get attacks increase your dragoon levels and also get new moves that charge the meter fast and shit out loads of damage while at it.

Then again the game is weirdly janky at times for being a big Sony first party title. You got some translation issues in the script, the weird camera gimmick at the epilogue which makes shit look ugly and blurry or like how Kongol is pretty incomplete and is the only one who's dragoon spirit can be gotten without going through plot.