I think I get what you mean. I must admit, seeing the IV remake on DS has changed my perspective of the game.
Damn straight.
I wasn't really going to get into this cause I feel its a bit off topic but though I would agree that VII and X have a 50/50 mix of sci-fi to fantasy thus negating the "Final Sci-Fi" namesake. I do feel VIII is more on the sci-fi/modern setting than the fantasy. The main storyline revolves around time travel and most of the "fantasy" elements are poorly explained and half the time seem to just be their for namesake. Its hard to claim the villains being "traditional" sorceress when their is so very little info concerning them within the game and even the damn Ultimania.