Especially since before X, realism was only used in VIII.

My friend even said

Hmm...chibi style just doesn't work for Playstation games.
I mean wtf. All the FFs before VII had chibi. FFVII had chibi models outside of battle. Was is really that surprising that another FF game in the series, which has a good deal of cute chibiness going on, would have even more?

But anyway, enough ranting.

FFIX is a very good game, I don't really see how anyone can speak against it. Cramming everything that defines 'Final Fantasy' into four discs of creamy FMV and fun battle deliciousness is pretty hard to not sink your teeth into. But, if that isn't your thing, so be it.

The one thing I didn't like was

(SPOILER)The false advertising of 'The Crystal comes back roflz!!1one'. Ugh, yeah, one cop-out Crystal at the end of the game. I know Deus ex Machina is a fun game that Square likes to play (at least in the FF series), but come on. Thanks alot Square. I was hoping for four or more elemental Crystals, instead I get these stupid mirrors. Hopefully FFXIII will have better Crystals.

But nevertheless, I still enjoyed the game thoroughly. I'd play it again, but my Disc One stops playing from a certain point.