Compared to most of the other Final Fantasies... FFVIII was a gem.

People can bitch about it all they want. The fact of the matter is, it is still talked about more than any other barring FFVII.

Its plot was questionable, certain characters were a pain in the arse but... it is still a classic. Brilliant cut scenes, great NPC's, fantastic set pieces, old-school Square humour. When I think on it... I still think of it as a great period that I wish Square Enix could re-connect with.

Also for me, still the greatest intro and ending the series ever produced.