I'm actually about to start Xenogears for the first time in the coming days, so I really can't wait to see how this game stacks up.

I like their non-FF RPGs, but I wouldn't say that one is categorically better than the other. Chrono Trigger was great, and certainly put the SNES FFs to shame for me, but it's obvious how Square took what they learned on that and implemented it into the PlayStation FFs. I don't think CT is better than VII, VIII and IX. Parasite Eve was great, but it was different and I can't say it was better.

I love DQ for some of the same reasons as FF and I put the SNES ones I've played on about the same level as FF. The Director of FFIV said it in a PlayStation Blog interview lately, but there's always going to be a place for classic RPGs and story/character focused RPGs. That's the divide I see between FF and DQ,, although Tokita said that FFIV began how FF would combine the two. I just think DQ doesn't get enough credit, mostly because it's style is so classic, people misonstrue it with lack of innovation.

Also, Tactics Ogre is insane, and even though it's better written and arguably the battle system is more thought out, there's a lot of things FF does that it doesn't bother to do.

So it depends, but I'm very excited to play Xenogears.