My favourite things in Tales was first of all the ever expanding story, secondly Raine and Genus' Prism Stars attack, thirdly Collette's clumsiness (I defeated that Fugitive thingy with her attack where she just falls over) and finally Kratos (y'know is he or isn't he a good guy?).
As for your questions I believe I can answer the first one.
Spoiler (Highlight to read):
I think at the end of the game Lloyd was an angel as well. I remember he had really huge wings that were so much better than Kratos'. Correct me if I'm wrong
What I didn't like was the lack of cool anime cutscenes. The scenes they did have were really good thanks to the folks at Production I.G. but they really needed more. Y'know what would be cool? A Tales of Symphonia anime - that would rock.