FWIW, this is pretty close to how I feel about it. Compared to XV, this game is a masterpiece.
I’d add that the ability recharges make the later combat feel a little bit more ATB-like (to me at least), when you’re relying more on those abilities than standard attacks.
Also, I personally think it’s the most (or second most) well-told game of the franchise. They do a phenomenal job of setting up different situations with maximum impact. The sad and hopeless feels sad and hopeless, the enraging feels enraging, and the grandiose feels ABSOLUTELY GRANDIOSE.