I think the fact that fans outside of Japan weren't exposed to it until a later date was part of the problem. I mean, it was the first FF to really bring in a story and drama with its more fleshed out characters. Sure Firion and Co. are basically blank slates with names, but all the other temp party members and other cast members are actually fleshed out pretty well, especially when compared to DQ's NES titles barring DQIV of course. I still feel it has the best soundtrack of the NES titles.

As I said before, the more I play with II's system, the more ingenious I find it to be, because its actually well thought out. The real headache the system creates is from the players who feel obliged to max out all stats (which the game is built around preventing you from doing so) and abilities. I don't really blame the system. Is is still a bit grind heavy? Yes, but name me one console RPG at the time that isn't? That's just how RPGs were designed back then. Still, there were no other RPGs that allowed the player that much control over their party, and you also gpt to see so many FF staples debut like Cid, Chocobos, Bomb, Behemoths, Malboro, Iron Giant, Dark Knights, Dragoons, Blood Swords, Holy Lance, Rune Axe, and even secret lethal tricks in the game.

I think the Keyword system was pretty neat and its a shame it hasn't been kept to some degree. I find it amusing that XII did give you the ability to record important conversations with bolded info so you could remember it. Course, no game references FFII more in the series than FFIV.