So how much of the hate that is directed toward FFVIII can be attributed to teenage boys disliking a so-called sappy romance? I personally find FFVIII's characters to be among the most human of any FF. The junction magic/GF system is clever and requires some careful strategy, as well as provides ample opportunity to be completely broken by a smart player. I fail to see why FFVIII gets such a bad rap, for being "not-FFVII", aka the most overrated FF.