I dunno theres something about FFVIII that makes me go ick, after playing FFVII for so long then going to FFVIII ok you could tell that they were realy people but i just didn't liek the story as much. And you say there's no emotion, Have you not played the game?
You can always tell when Barrret is pissed of, When Yuffie is gettting into trouble and when Cloud is sad.
Oh well im slightly biased being as I love Final Fantasy VII =DD <3