The graphics were groundbreaking. No other RPG had ever done anything like this in a game this big (not many RPG's were this big either)The graphics looked brilliant on the pc. The Music is great. Its not limited to one theme the way FFIX was medieval in most (or all) of its music. The fantasy was totally original. No other RPG had a city setting (not many anyway). The characters are brilliant too. They've all got there own little story in the game and they all seem to grow during the game. VIII's characters were detailed but except for Squall they all pretty much stayed the same.