FF 8 is a good Final Fantasy game.

Aeris's death scene is not that sad, it's tragic but it's not the most tragic FF death ever seen in FF history.
(SPOILER) Vivi was the saddest

Zell is a good character

Locke keeping Rachel's dead body is a little on the creepy side and isn't romantic at all. Sorry Locke.

FFIX's battle speed is not that slow. It could be faster, but it's not so slow that it's dreadful.

FFIX's ending was messy, rushed and really confusing... and did they run out of time for the release date or something ?

Freya isn't a good character- the only good thing about her is her fighting skills.