I can CLEARLY remember Quistis' importance in FFVIII, and Laguna's, and Zell's. I can CLEARLY remember Kihmari's importance, Auron's, Lulu's, Wakka's, etc.
Uh-huh. News flash-- VIII was almost entirely focused on Squall and Rinoa. Hence the logo. In IX, Vivi, and to a lesser extent Freya, get a good amount of focus- the game is not a four disc Zidane/ Garnet love story.