Quote Originally Posted by masamune1600
I believe a that a number of people dislike Final Fantasy VII because it took something away from them. FFVII really sent the series mainstream, so all the gamers who grew up on FFIV (II on SNES) and FFVI (III on SNES) lost the claim that playing FF made them unique. This countercultural nostalgia, in my opinion, is what leads them to attack FFVII. All attacks on the story and characters are inane at best; FFVII had a nonpareil story and characters far more detailed and explored than any previous installment of the series. Yes, I am one of those people who will defend FFVII against anything, and yes, I think it is the greatest game ever. However, having played every Final Fantasy, I feel I can do so without the bias of most of the proponents of either side of the argument.
I don't understand why some people have to come up with some sort of theory to explain why people dislike FF7. No, the game is not flawless. No, it is not the best in the series. No, it is not the most original in the series. No, people don't resent it simply because it made the series popular. No, not all "attacks" on its characters and plot are "inane at best."

People dislike it for reasons that are just as legitimate as your reasons for liking it.