I'm being out voted Nooo!

lol

Originally Bespoken by Ouch!

Since you exclusively mentioned FFVII and VIII as the ones you know and love, I'm going to assume you don't have much experience with the series outside of those titles.
I have played/owned FF1, FF2 (PSX/PSP) FF3 (DS) FF6 (PSX) FF10 and FF12 (PS2) and the spin offs FFVII: DOC FFVII:CC

As my Supervisor at work says- To Assume is to make an Ass out of U and Me lol

I can see where your all coming from, I just feel that because 7 and 8 are the ones I grew up with (being 18 now) they feel like THE Final Fantasies, IX felt more like KH, a lot more child-like you know?