The game being long is neither a point in it's favour nor is it a failing. The game's failing is that you have to be 20+ hours in for it to even be good (Not that I personally can confirm this, it's so damn dull I'm yet to feel the addiction of it)
If the only good point mentionable is graphics, then it's obviously another failure on Square's part. The story's not too bad, but as mentioned it's too slow and too confusing initially. The characters range too much between annoying and likeable, with the exception of Sazh who's the only one who HASN'T irritated the crap out of me.
Really, the game has bugs coming out of it's ass and should never have made it to release. The combat system is flawed as hell, and the ratings system having such an effect on levelling up is a prime example of how they rob control from us. Now not only have they taken control of my party, which is bad enough, they've also taken control of how I can fight and level up.
This game does not deserve an 8/10. I'd give it a 5/10, and to be a die-hard fan and have to rate so low just shows how bad the game is.
Harsh I liked it alot!