Is there no crafting or item upgrading/synthesis or anything like that in this game?

Are the crafting material items just for upgrading the shops? If so that is a little disappointing. I am only three hours in, but so far it doesn't seem like there is. And form a quick google search, I was mostly only getting hits about Xillia 2's crafting.

No synthesis of any kind. Materials are just for shop upgrading, with the rare subquest thrown in at times.

I never did understand the crafting system in Graces, and it made me feel like an idiot...

I spent WAY more time than necessary crafting in Tales of Graces f. I'm almost glad it's gone.

@mwng: Those menus were really poorly designed.

I miss the cooking -- I loved the cooking in Vesperia and Graces :/