And I finished Jude's story last night; really loved the game overall, and while its a bit unpolished and the story could had used a bit more romance and plot development, I'd say this is my favorite Tales games, sharing the first place in the podium with T. of the Abyss; Now I'm off to play Graces F and do Milla's story.
As for Xillia's story and character, I really liked Jude and Millia's development, and their bittersweet ending, while makings sense for the overall story, still hurt a bit; I've always hated a bit how the developing teams of the Tales Series does their hardest to avoid canon coupling or resolved romance on the series; sure, it helps avoid getting involved in fandom wars, but I would love to see a Tales game with a definitive and resolved love story.
I really dont get the hate for Jude; i enjoyed his story, and his relationship with Milla and how they both knew their feelings for each other had to be put aside for the sake of their mutual quest really hit me hard; still more development wouldnt had hurt, actually.
Waiting for Xillia 2, and I may be alone here, but I kinda hope we get a third game in the Xillia series that brings the characters and world to an actual close, like Abyss and Vesperia did.