FFIX feels like a return to the earlier FF's, especially IV. It abandons much of the futuristic settings and weapons that appeared in FFVI-FFVIII and returns to a more medieval setting. The character classes are rigidly defined with little overlap. Personally I like flexible job systems, but it works fine enough.

The battle system is good, with a four party members fighting at a time to give you lots of options. The music is high quality but I didn't find it as memorable as FFVII or FFVIII. I liked the main characters, especially Steiner. His evolution as a character was touching to me.

I absolutely love the last airship the party gets.

I found a good strategy is to buy new items in any shop you run across, equip them and teach your party new abilities, then go to the next place and repeat. You can then synthesize your older items without worry.

Also it's very easy to miss rare items and Blue Magic in the first playthrough.

And don't waste your money on the official strategy guide. It's basically a long commercial for their PlayOnline site.