I don't think the orphanage scene had the same impact on me as was intended. Hell, I'm not really sure what it was meant to do. Sure it explained some things but it really seemed kind of unimportant. I just wanted to get on with it. Singling Rinoa out against the rest of the cast made me feel like she should have had way way way more importance. I mean, sure she's a main character and plays a vital role but it should've been bigger to be almost flanked by her own personal SeeDs.

I don't think FFVIII fell apart for me so much as didn't take off to the same heights it could have. I still think it was pretty damn fine though, and I enjoyed the game thoroughly. Certain segments appeal to my sense of adventure quite strongly, and there are some emotional moments but I don't know if it all pieced together quite well enough.