Each of this bloke's points are correct, just a bit exaggerated.

Useless trance and weak summons were implemented after the last two games where they were horrendously overpowered, with KOTR, Eden etc, and the last third of FF8 turning into RENZOKUKEN: THE GAME because all the other moves became pointless.

Unfortunately, Square just did it horribly wrong and turned limit breaks into a joke. Summons (as a battle mechanic) were cool at the beginning, but barely mentioned after you get Ramuh and towards the end of the game they become just a few pretty colours doing minimal damage. The first time I played through the game, the only summons I learned were Ramuh, Leviathan and Bahamut (they were the only ones pointedly referenced in the game), and the experience was made no more difficult.