It introduced me to the RPG genre. My friend Jack had bought it and said it was really good. I went round his house and played it for a bit. I died at Guard Scorpion... I was pretty sucky at video games back then. I thought "Rascal" was hard, for Christ's sake! (I've gotten better though, I swear.)
Anywho, I decided I'd borrow it from him and I had another crack at it.

I thought the graphics were very good in battle mode. The controls were a bit awkward, but I compensated and got used to them. The materia system was complex at first, but I eventually got it after a few battles. I couldn't believe that a game could be this complex! The story had me hooked eventually, and I bought the game itself. To this day, I consider it one of the single most entertaining interactive experiences ever created.

I honestly believe it has helped shape who I am today. Nerdy, huh?