One thing that I think would have benefitted this game greatly and Final Fantasy XIII, XIII-2 for that matter, or any JRPG where you don't control every party member Is to have something Like Final Fantasy XII's gambit system (only without having to buy the gambits) or Dragon Age tactics.
This allows you to program the AI, so they do what you want. And in my opinion makes you feel like you have something to do with your AI allies winning. And they can always put in presets for people that are too lazy.
I think the EGM review was a bit harsh... but it wasn't distinctly wrong. If the flaws this game has bugs you, it bugs you, and you shouldn't score it high just because everyone else did. A lot of high games get a few contrarian reviews because a point of reviews is to show different views of it's strengths and flaws.
