I have never gotten into Pokemon save for the Mystery Dungeon series, but I find it really engaging. Things I like:

• instead of move selection gated by limiting to 4 moves and limiting PP, there’s AP. You gain 2 AP per turn, and can spend more of it to do more powerful moves.
• Instead of types doing double/half damage, types give buffs/debuffs which are apropos to that type interaction. (Water “extinguishes” fire, lowering attack)
• All buffs/debuffs are on a turn timer (attack is lowered for 3 turns)
• Buffs/debuffs transfer when you switch beasts
• Stacking the same effect adds turns to the timer rather then strengthening the effect.
• All timers are visible onscreen under the HP bar
• Before you confirm an attack, the effect icons show under the highlighted enemy.