On one hand, the story barely advances the overall trails plot and act 3 drags on for A LOT
On the other, it has the second best gameplay in the series and a lot of great character moments. Also fragments is one of the best chapters in the series.
So, even though i think it's a pretty good game, i can fully understand why someone would find it underwhelming.

The way this game managed to improve some of the party members from the original is astounding. They somehow turned Cait Sith from a character i barely cared about to my second favorite in the game.

This game aims to be an awful experience, and boy does it succeed at it.