Basically they've been cherry picking western styles and elements to include with no real idea of how to incorporate them into the stories, mechanics, and themes they're known for and want to continue, resulting in massive, violent clash that makes the games weaker and less enjoyable; completely missing the point of western styles, annoying those fans, while bogging down and neglecting eastern tradition, pissing off traditional fans.
Cavia knew their stuff there, which is hilarious since every design decision they made was made to better troll the stereotypical western mindset. This is probably why Nier reviewed badly, but has a growing cult fanbase because while they're a troll if you expect something stereotypical, Nier is anything but and they enhance, rather than thwart, the narrative and thematic coherence of the game.
eg Cavia HATES completionists, sidequests that do nothing but cost you money and waste your time, etc