FFTA was not made from scratch the battle system was FFT's with a few modifications. FFCC was not a main stream FF which is what I think Gibbi was refering to (it also wasn't a big hit). And FFXI was not played by a lot of people, although yes it was made from scratch it's an MMORPG instead of the rest of the series ,making it kinda different. But I do think FFXII will be an important milestone, however I've though about the last bunch of FF's that have come out too.
FF7 First to have better than gameboy type graphics.
FF8 Really spectacular graphics plus a darker feel to the game then FF's had gone before.
FF9 the most fun feeling FF, somewhat comic graphics
FFX the first FF made for the PS2
FFX-2 The first sequel
FFXI I never played it but it was the first MMORPG
FFXII What Gibbi said