FFVIII is actually one of my favorite FF's and is in no way a trash game. I guess you have to be the type that can relate too and understand the story to like it... as the second poster a while ago stated. I personally relate to Squall a lot as we are both intensely introverted. The difference between him and I though is that he is a natural leader and I'm definitely not.
I wanted to make a correction to a misinformation here. A user said that magic was nigh 'worthless' in this game when that's very far from the truth. Using the magic damage formula one can see that magic out damages attack command on a turn for turn basis double and triple casted.
The magic damage formula is...
casters mag + spell power = step 1
step 1 * (265 - target spr) / 4 = step 2
step 2 * spell power / 256 = step 3
step 3 + rnd mod multiplied by elemental attributes if any = final damage.
Using this formula damages will go as follows for some of the mightiest magics...
1: 22000 damage triple casting Firaga against a Snow Lion per turn.
2: 16000 damage triple casting Water against Jumbo Cactaur per turn.
3: 18800 multi target damage triple casting Quake against Adamantoise per turn.
4: 7800 multi target damage single casting Ultima, 15000 double, and 22000 triple per turn.
5: 14000 damage single casting Meteor, 28000 double and 42000 triple per turn.
6: 9999 damage single casting Demi against Malboro,19998 double, 29997 triple per turn.
Attack command can only ever deal 9999 in one turn but has the status atk advantage. However the mightiest enemies are immune to ohko's making double and triple magic superior for dealing with them.