The Squall-Rinoa paring didn't bother me in of itself: I thought they were a cute couple whose personalities complemented each other. It the way the game no-so-subtly informs us that this is their romantic destiny that bothers me.

That being said, I liked Quistis, but she drops out of any romantic pursuits once Rinoa comes along. Squall with Selphie would have been interesting, but goes totally unexplored.

I do think this was a step up from FFX, where the affection meter with the three female leads makes no difference at all who Tidus winds up with.