I didn't like there was no Proxians, after Karst and Agatio, it seemed like Proxians were iconic Golden Sun characters simply because Saturos started that trend in the first game.
The characters I didn't care for were Rief, Eoleo and Himi
Eoleo and Himi were desendents of non adept npcs in Lost Age, I didn't like that the second Mars Adept and Second Earth Adept didn't desend from moore popular Golden Sun characters, like for example a Proxian makes a ideal Mars Adept because Proxians are that of the Mars clan, they are not bad guys, and they are a iconic Golden Sun race.
I'm not sure what they could of done about the Earth Adept, maybe that's why they settled for Himi, all I do know is I don't like that Takiru actually exists as Himi's brother, I hope he never ever becomes playable.
Himi certainly wasn't really a ideal choice for a Earth Adept.
Rief made me miss Mia, I hated this wimp, he couldn't even use a light blade, all he could use was staffs, I think Rief should of been a girl because of this, he seems kind of weak, I bet Nowell is a more powerful adept than Rief.
I have nothing negative about Eoleo, it's just I'd rather have the Proxian, like little copy of Saturos much like how Matthew is a copy of Isaac and Amiti is a copy of Alex, that's all.
I didn't like the Teleport Lapis not being in this game
Too much boat travel