8 was... eh. The magic system was lame, and easily exploited with that card game. The story was a bit lacking imo too, they just didn't get much time to develop it. I did like the approach to summons though, that was pretty cool, and the Odin -> Gilgamesh part.
I prefer 1 and 2, to 3-6 tbh, but (original) tactics was my overall favourite of the older ones.