Okay, so here's my take on every Final Fantasy game I've played to completion in my own personal ranked order
7.) Final Fantasy VI
Analysis: Not my cup of tea at all. The characters were developed okay, but there were too many to do justice in that short of a game. The idea of the story was decent, but was not executed as well as in subsequent Final Fantasy games. The magic system was pretty good, but not all that great. Also, I felt a lot of the dialogue was very campy and this grated on my nerves a lot throughout the game.
6.) Final Fantasy X-2
Analysis: Again, campy, but this one was campy from beginning to end and made it more tolerable. Plus, I am sucker for closure and with Final Fantasy X ending the way it did, I really needed the closure of beating this one 100%. Not much of a story, really, but a good continuation of the FFX universe that I liked to see. Plus, an incredibly satisfying ending (if you got 100%) Call hersey all you want, I won't put this one under VI.
5.) Final Fantasy Tactics
Analysis: Very fun little game. The class system was very well executed and the characters were done pretty well. The story felt a bit rushed at the end, as most of the game seemed to be developing a bunch of twists and turns and then they rushed to tie all the loops together at the end. Still a very cool concept (Start the biggest war in the history of the world? How badass is that?) and a good ending that I enjoyed.
4.) Final Fantasy IX
Analysis: Very underrated game, in my opinion. How are these characters 'cute'? They're just as cute as any other Final Fantasy characters, I think. Anyway, a good abilities/magic system - one of my favorites - and a pretty good story. I really liked that you actually HAD to lose in some places to continue the story and I very much enjoyed the ATE feature. Although Necron kind of comes out of nowhere, the ending is one of my favorite parts of this game and chocographing is a terrific minigame.
3.) Final Fantasy VIII
Analysis: I guess this could be called my guilty pleasure, but I don't feel guilty about liking this game at all. Characterization is probably better here than any other Final Fantasy (save X) and the snowball effect of one thing turning into another turning into another during the story I always felt was great. I really enjoyed the magic/skills system and the drawing of GFs from enemies. The ending is great, too. For awhile this was actually my favorite Final Fantasy and, on a given day, still could be.
2.) Final Fantasy X
Analysis: Great game, the first of the voiced over PS2 era and it got the critics of VIII and IX off Square's back pretty quick. Every step closer you get to Zanarkand, you just start holding your breath more and more. It really gets you involved in the story. Probably the best Final Fantasy in terms of characterization, or maybe thats just due to being able to hear their voices. Only a few rough patches in the voice-acting, but I was able to forgive those few instances. Terrific ending, real tear-jerker and definitely makes you wanna play X-2.
1.) Final Fantasy VII
Analysis: C'mon. The best overall set of characters, the materia system, the best enemy of any Final Fantasy. Best TWIST! Of any Final Final Fantasy. Throw in The Death Scene, limit breaks, politics. God, I could go on. That and the ending was probably the best of an Final Fantasy, allowing for tons of 'what ifs' and theories on what the ending meant. I am so awaiting Advent Children (I refuse to watch it subtitled) and Dirge of Cerberus (!!!).