There is definitely a point where it picks up, plot wise, and will start to feel a bit more fresh. As long as you can keep track of who all the characters are and what their allegiances are. I don't think it's as interesting in terms of either the story or the characters as Vesperia or Xillia, but it definitely does get better as it goes along.

I had exactly the same experience of Symphonia a few months ago. I'm glad I played through it, but yeah it was quite an effort.