because its such an easy game and the sytem in it the ability system, the trance system, storyline, setting even the summons put FF gamers off
but one of the major things is the characters and there designs

it didnt have any weapons or many die quests to beat so it made the gameplay shorter

took me a week to beat FF9 a very easy game but it isnt the worst FF game theres 5 and X-2 that surpass it in crapness

7 and 8 get the most attention because more gamers like the characters and battles in it

7 gets more because of its great story and characters even those Bastards Emerald and Ruby

8 because of Squall the setting the story and best of all the Ragnarok (my fav thing in FF8) but the limit break system was what put most fans off because it divered from FF tradition like the Trance

so does this answer your question?

9 was quite a good game but not the best in FF

you may agree or disagree about this but these points here are actually true i dont care whether or not you agree but you need to accept the facts most FF gamers prefer VII and VIII and of course X (hey my top 3 FF games and in order too)