To the point, it's not very popular because it's linearity and subplots not being very impactful the way we are used to see things in the west.
Had good visuals and amazing CGI, artwork as anyone can expect from SE, very distinct from previous games and if you compare it to something on this side of the world, then it looks alien.
Combat wise, everyone has been obsessing over non turn based rpgs since the consoles could provide enough power for 3D, good visuals and real time interaction. Still it's a good transition between turn based and real time combat. Unquestionably the start for shifting the direction SE had been doing things in the past (well some of it).