I suppose when you put it like that, you do have a point. I just thought that Cecil's (and Kain's too) ability to push through their mistakes that potentially might have led to the doom of some of their friends (not saying any of their actions did, but they could partially feel responsible), and be able to beat Zeromus might have been a satisfying ending. I'm wishy-washy in my opinion of this topic. I half support it, half wanted the characters to die. I suppose if they were to die, the feeling would be like Tellah, struggling too hard for a victory that in the end wouldn't win anyone back.
In the end, I think I'd have to play FF4 again to be able to fully evaluate my opinion.
Also, I have yet to play FF2, but my bro seems to like it. I would need to see it for myself.