It feels like there's a lot of signs that people think the series has been going downhill over time, but people hesitate to outright say that. For example, the Trails in the Sky games are very highly respected while Cold Steel is often seen as more flawed, more "anime tropey", etc.
"Foolishness, Dante. Foolishness... Might controls everything. And without strength, you cannot protect anything. Let alone yourself."
- Vergil, DMC3