what's so great about mp?
All it ever did was discourage me from using magic and focusing on physcial fighters. I'd rather have a mage smack around for low dmg than have to waste mp, and then ethers just to do a spell.
Whereas, in FF8, magic has no restrictions:D Even if you have it junctioned, it takes several casts to bring your stats down any. Plus, some monsters have it conviently embedded spells that can be effectively used against them (i.e. malboros and demi:D excellent for devouring. Use a couple of limits to get the majority of their 147k hp down, then demi it down until it's edible. and voila, spr+1:D)
using magic instead of items for healing is also pushed in ff8, because heck, by disc three, you start to run out of room for curaga and you're happy to use them up so you can draw more.
the only real annoying point is waiting in battle while the galbadian soldiers are going nuts against you in timber (or wherever else) while you steal their cure and elemental spells early on:D