The reason why everyone hated it is because they thought magic was useless. Int/Soul penalty was assigned to each weapon and armor type. Int/Soul penalties weaken your magic. Maria, who most people use as a mage for lack of a fighting default weapon, has a bow. Bows have the highest Int/Soul penalty. Since most people chose to leave Maria with bows, she has terrible magic, and most people thing magic sucks. That, along with a few other things, are why everyone hated the game.