Upon starting a new game, you'll be prompted to name your protagonist, Ramza Beoulve. While you can't customize his appearance, his name is yours to choose. Following this, you'll be introduced to your initial party members. These characters start as Squires and Chemists, the foundational jobs in the game. Don't worry too much about their initial stats; the job system allows for immense customization later on.
Your first few battles serve as tutorials. Pay attention to the in-game prompts that explain movement, attacking, and using abilities. It's recommended to save frequently, especially before entering new areas or engaging in battles. The game's difficulty can spike unexpectedly, and a well-timed save can prevent frustration.