This game improves upon Seven, which occurs after it (Lacrimosa is a mostly stand-alone tale chronologically placed sometime between Napishtim and an occasionally referenced Celceta), in nearly every way… with the notable exception of stability. Chances are if you try to play immediately after installing, you’ll start running into persistent and seemingly random crashes shortly after arriving at the island. The two main causes of this seem to be the ‘Map Shadows’ graphics option (I always disable shadows) and a multi-core threading issue (the fix detailed there fully solved the problem for me). The Version 8 patch may or may not have fixed those complications; based on the changelog I’m guessing it didn’t.
That’s the only problem it has though: Graphics have been massively improved, the system options have been greatly expanded and can be modified from the title screen, jumping along with combo-attacking have both made a triumphant return, dodging has been upgraded to provide an effect similar to Flash Guard (which now lasts longer), you can warp at any time, the playtime has more than doubled, you now have full camera control, the Japanese voice acting is included, and (wonder of wonders) the storyline and character behavior are actually pretty decent. At least until near the end when the big world-ending-whatever makes its appearance (just how many Roots of All Existence are in this universe?).
Finished the Epilogue boss at level 77 in a little under 50 hours with 100% completion in all areas (though I forgot to pick up the last map completion bonus), all skills maxed out, and all Suppression/Hunt missions cleared at A rank or higher (4 at S rank). The main thing to note about this entry is that, unlike many of the previous games in the series, combat actually is skill-based. This is thanks to the combined Flash Guard/Dodge systems’ invincibility window, which allows you to negate every single attack so long as your reflexes are up to timing it right. The bosses may have a lot of moves and use them semi-randomly à la Felghana (the dragon-wall thing in Baja Tower and Dana’s last solo boss being the most annoying), but they are all beatable with zero reliance on luck.
As for the DLC, which has caused a bit of a furor, the only part of it that you can’t find in the game proper is the (100% cosmetic) costume. Nearly all of the accessories are Chapter 2 level, the potions/food are common, you’ll eventually be drowning in materials, and the (non-Tempest) Elixirs are easily craftable late game. I will say though that the Fish Bait is mildly useful and the aforementioned Tempest Elixirs can help you defeat the level 80 optional boss and ‘Never-Ending’ base defense missions the moment they become available (otherwise you’ll have to do 30 minutes or so of grinding to get up to level 70 if you don’t want to wait).