Yep, FFVIII's characters were RIDICULOUSLY cliche, not even Barret can match them on that. The main problem with VIII is the character backgrounds and developement. With the exceptions of Zell (ish) and Squall, there just isn't any.

Psychotic, if you sit through the amount of summons you sound like you do, then of course it's easy, it's tortoise and hare stuff, patience can win through if you choose that style.
The complaints I hear from people about the characters being the same to begin, well I like it. I hate nine for exactly the opposite reason, everyone is dictated how they'll be, and when they'll learn their skills, it's so dull.
Yeah on a replay you shouldn't really get beat unless you're doing something wierd, that's because the game rewards the skilled. Meaning your first play is actually a challenge, then you replay and YOU affect your game.

The story was good, but with way too many plotholes, R=U tied everything up nicely, but apparently in that case opinions are allowed to be wrong.