The dialogue and direction in this game is spot-on. Probably the best in the series, or at the very least the best from the first 10 games. They'd been trying to nail world-building and writing in this way since VI, but only in IX did the detail, creativity, and actual ability to translate into flawless English come together.

VII and VIII come close, although VII has its well-known disability with actually speaking coherent English though the setting and story are probably the best in the series. VIII comes even closer, but doesn't quite hit the nail on the head when it comes to sharp dialogue and world building.

So IX and XII are the pinnacle of non-cringe worthy writing in the series, although completely different in their respective approaches.