This game may have the single best combat system in any game. Fixing smirking and integrating it more naturally into the game helps inprove the experience. The bosses were more memorable than in IV too. While its story and characters overall are a step back, it doesn't mean all of them are bad. Navarre, Gaston, Halleluya, Krishna and specially Dagda are great characters with what's given in the game.
There's no game with better gameplay I have played. Apocalypse is fun from start to finish, even if multiple bosses on rounds can be annoying.