lol, this series is one of Atlus' "Nintendo hard" games. Requires a lot of strategy. You will get screwed over if you build a bad team - learned that the hard way. I've played the first two games (as far as levels 12 so far e.e;; ) and even though I have yet to master them, still plan on picking up the 4th.
Also, mapping isn't as troublesome as you think. There is an automap feature, which fills in parts of the map you have walked though. You just draw the lines and add the icons with that feature on.