I have 1 and 2, and I like part 2 especially a lot. Really one of my all time favorite RPGs. I don't know why that game is so addictive. I love the steep learning curve. It's one of the few RPGs that came out post NES that gave you a real challenge to draw you in. It was also so huge. The irreligious theme is a little overbearing, but nothing like in Angst-o-gears.
The biggest problem is that some parts of the game can be so maddenly frustrating, and the dungeons absolutely huge to ridiculous levels. Case in point; Highfort. To a lesser degree, the french frog palace sucked a lot, but that was mostly the music. When you do get past those terrible places though, and get over being cast out of those ever so hard to reach places such as Windia, you finally get to see them from the inside again. It's so rewarding! Either way, the theme (animal people) places really bug you, but you feel good that you accomplish them. The animal poeple always sucked, I thought. Also, the characters are really unpredictable and interesting at times, which is a good thing.
....and everyone loves WildCat's cafe!