I think FFI would be the best answer. The overall story is good enough to make an interesting epic, and it's sparse characterization gives lots of leg room to create and reinterpret events into a strong story which means it's less likely to piss off fans who feel Cloud's hair isn't spiky enough or that reducing Kain's times of treachery down by one is detrimental to his whole characterization. It's the safest story to screw with.