Lotta good memories with this game, and I too, just started a new game (last night). I remember I bought it the day after I got a ps2, looking at the strategy guide like "damn, CTB...I wonder what this is gonna be like...".

Maxx Power said it right (with 4 of the most important aspects of RPGs) - the battles, the story, the characters, the graphics. But you can't forget the music (another classic battle theme). This was the last FF Uematsu did and with the battles having the allies on one side/enemies on another, you could say this was the last traditional FF. But it was also the start of a new beginning,as RPGs could now be brought to a whole new level. It was alot of fun playing this game when it came out, and it still is. Not as huge as the first time playing VII in 1997, but it was definately a transition time for video games.