WOW GOOD POINT BUT-
COMPARING BATTLE SYSTEMS, THERE WAS A MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT IN FUTURE FF GAMES.
The FFVII was just as good and I for one (Im sure theres many others) enjoy VII's much more than VIII's, IX's was pretty good but I prefered the materia system, I liked X's but alot of people didnt, X-2's was just so random, Maybe realistic but it was so hard to form a stratedgy in such fluent battles. I certainly prefer the materia system to all of those other games and the battle system is just as good as the rest and better than most.

COMPARING MUSIC, THERE ARE BETTER OST'S IN EVERY GAME NOW; IE, LESS REOCCURING THEMES.
Less recurring themes? Many say FFVIII was one of the best FF OST's and you cant tell em that had little recurring themes, or IX, or even X. X-2 wasnt worht listening too. The sound quality is bad but to be fair you didnt mention that. The music itself despite of the quality is some of the best ,if not the best in any FF game.

Im using gamemusic.com as an example. This isnt accurate and it is possible people could rate it twice and Im not compensationg for that
VII has 127 reviews, 2 people gave it less than five stars.
VIII has 83 reviews, 6 people gave it less than five.
IX has 112 reviews, 7 people gave it les than five.
X has 101 reviews, 7 people gave it less than five.
You might be saying VII has been around much longer than those OST,s. Well it sold out on that site ages ago and hasnt been in stock for ages. Theres not much of a difference and VII did just as well with low quality midis.