In FFVIII, all the characters were practically the same in battle. It really didn't matter who you choose since the only real difference between the characters were the limit breaks. At least in FFIX, the characters each have their own unique set of abilities, strenghts, and weaknesses.

Are Steiner and Freya similiar? In ways, yes. But I think those two are more different and unique then, let's say, Zell and Selphie are.

I dunno, maybe you would have had to of played the older Final Fantasies (FF1-FF6) to of appriecated this game, because in FFIX, Final Fantasy finally went back to it's roots. But even if you havn't played the older ones, I still can't see why you wouldn't enjoy it. It's a fun game with a great story.

FFIX > FFVIII.