I like VII, and before you kick me in the groin and call me fanboy, let me explain.

The Materia System was very good. It allowed you create an almost "Class-like" system, requiring you to take advantage of each characters' innate strengths and weaknesses while giving you enough freedom to alter them as you see fit.

The plot is one of the best in a game. Now, I know there are translation issues and explanation issues, but the theme of Life is very well-implemented and poetically expressed in a way that is surely encouraging. The characters are all very deep and unique, each having personal backgrounds that make them all interesting. Aerith's Death is iconic for a reason: it was unexpected, it was shocking, and it was important.

The game had a sense of humor that few games in the series and genre possess. It was in many ways, a dark game, yet the humor is frequent enough to keep you enjoying the game without ceasing its serious nature.

The visuals were great for their time, the cinematics changed gaming as we know it, and the music is legendary.

Final Fantasy VII is iconic for a reason, while it is not without its flaws, the games is a deeply moving and captivating foray into the human psyche, life, and purpose. I whole-heartedly support it as one of the greatest games of all time.