Something BackRoomKid said was that there was very little left to wonderabout. There was in 7 and 8 so people talked about it afterwards, wondering 'did anyone survive from 7', 'who were squalls parents?' that kind of thing. There was none of that after 9, exept maybe about Vivi, as everything was answered in the final cutscene (which was fairly rocking might I say), so people don't tend to discuss it as much after the event.

It also had the feel of being a bit of a filler FF, like Sunny Rabbiera said. They were waiting for X to come out on the PS2. Not to say I don't like it (I love them all, and it tends to be the one I'm playing which is my favourite), but there's just something about it. Also, most of the really good things that appeal to me about FFXI is the details and the sidequests, which you can't play with until near the end.

And finally, there is the lack of a big kickarse sword! Braver, Lionheart, cool waterone-whoes-name-I-have-forgotten. Nothing in IX. And what is a Final Fantasy without it's iconic sword.