The only two things that truly bugged me about VIII were:

1. The fade in/fade out each and every time you enter/leave an area. Made the game go too slowly and lose its flow, especially in a dungeon like the Fire Cavern.
2. Having to sit there and stock and stock and stock and stock and then stock some more until you have 100 of each and every spell to play with to junction into your stats to make them better. And to those who would answer me with get a turbo controller...did that. Still gotta sit there to monitor your HP or to scramble to change what you're stocking when you actually fill up to 100. This is one of the truly suckiest things about the game. I mean sure, I could do it a battle at a time, but then what's the point? You want/need to be the strongest you can be... this is the only way....

However, both these things are about general gameplay. The story, the characters, everything else was perfect. I'd have to say definitely give this game a try if you haven't played it, cuz it really is a good story.