the strategizing aspect is theoretically there but rather very niche, for example stacking molotov to use against a boss for the advantage of triggering some skills that buffs agility such as "carnival of maiden" n "charge of maiden", tho the player still needs to grind to luckily obtain these skills n upgrade them to be relevant in a hard fight, i think hard mode was made with grinding in mind, i personally enjoyed grinding in the previous game for sake of obtaining more skills as it opens more options for interaction in battles at higher levels