ahhhhh, I submitted my vote for FFVIII before scrolling down and seeing the last option - because this is definately too close.

I would recommend FFVIII to someone who's never played it, but I think you've said that you played it up to the final boss. I would definately recommend the other 3 in that case, if you haven't played it. Xenogears is a must for any fan of RPGs, I know some people who still uphold that it is the best released so far.

Looking back at Ocarina of time I can still scratch my head as to how good it was for its time. A game like that should've came out on Gamecube, it's a must.

Despite my vote though, I'm going with Tactics Ogre. It's the only one I haven't beaten but I remember all that I played being amazing. I'm probably going to play it pretty soon actually.