I really, really enjoyed this game. I played it once I finished Skies of Arcadia, and once I got over the lack of control (this game is very LINEAR, compared to SoA), I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.
Great battle system, graphics and story. Why an 8 then? I don't know, it just doesn't feel like a 9 to me. It is in the end, on the forgetable side, in a way that SoA and others aren't.