I'm playing it on the Vita right now (it was 15 dollars on PS Store). 5 hours in and so far I'm enyoing it a lot.

BTW, no one is gonna mention the great soundtrack? It's easily one of the best aspects of the game...

First Ys game I played and I loved it. I didn't mind the story at all - I actually enjoyed the game taking its time to explore the 'stranded on an island' scenario before the more conventional fantasy JRPG narrative kicked in. Superb combat, fun characters, good story, and a killer soundtrack - offset only by the sub-par technical performance on Switch. I'm really hoping Ys IX makes it to Switch.

That's pretty much Y's for you. Been a fan of the series ever since the first game, but more often than not they start out like a dream and get dull as it goes on. There are a couple of exceptions, but it's pretty much par for the course. 

I am too.  I do not see why it wouldn't considering how the games are not very demanding and the Switch is blowing everything out of the water in Japan.  I fully expect a late port...just not really sure why it would be late after the system will have been out for 2 years when the game lands.

This so much, the soundtrack in this series is an absolute masterpiece. Here's a taste:

Not from VIII but from the series:

YS VII being just a good game makes sense. I have played YS 1 & 2 on GOG and they were solid 7/10s to me. They were good enough to make me want to try the other YS games. So Ys VIII being on Switch was sorta perfect timing. However, YS VIII is still full price everywhere! Even used copies aren't much better in price. I paid about $3 for Ys 1 & 2 so I am not used to these crazy high prices for Ys Games!

Oh, and it won't ever drop, at least not that much. As far I'm aware, the PS4 version still sells for a high price. 

I don't agree with your view of the first hours of the game. For me, they were stellar, probably among the best I've passed in games in recent time, and it's not because of the story, art or gameplay per se, it's just that the progression felt spot on, as mechanics, characters, and other elements were introduced at the right time to maintain a great flow in the game. Dana is another thing the game uses to keep you engaged, but this is where the devs ultimately failed and effetively dragged the pacing. Her sections aren't that interesting, and later on become plain dull, and so does the main game after you get rid of the reason that prevents the castaways from escaping the island. Furthermore, the story, already mediocre early on, goes terribad at the end. 

However, even if it doesn't on a high note, it was my favorite Switch game from last year, I loved it. I played it 115 hours.