Just started playing this game... it's really great. VERY Dragon Quest VIII. I've never heard anyone mention any similarity to DQVIII, but it's immediately obvious. Must have been done by the same team. Even Jo Haishi's music sounds extremely Dragon-Questy. Anyway, I loved DQVIII so this comes as a huge compliment. The cell shaded graphic style, the goofy villains with weird ways of talking, the lush over world, and all the billions of fun British accents.
Only slight criticism is that Oliver is not a believable american, you can hear his english accent poke through all the time. Reminds me of Peri from old Doctor Who... the American who wasn't. Not a problem. I just wish they hadn't tried to make him American, it gets in the way a bit.
Oh, definitely some Earthbound feel as well.