Skies of Arcadia is a great game. I have beaten it, but that was a good few years ago now. It is VERY long though. I remember it took me forever to beat it.
As for Vyse in Gallian Chronicles, you can add or remove people to / from your crew fairly early on in the proceedings, and new soldiers become available as you progress. I'm almost certain he just becomes available at some point.
I'll check if he is selectable for me next time I fire it up. I'm onto chapter 9. Vyse is an assault soldier (category), and I don't really have any need for more of his type at the moment, so it is possible he is already selectable and I have just overlooked him.
I already have Aika on my crew.
PSN - hanafuda







