People either seem to love or hate this game, so I would recommend renting/borrowing it first, if you even can.

I personally liked this game. I did like the junctioning system. If you like RPG's that have a straightforeward battle and stat system, then don't get this game.

I'm honestly surprised at how many people don't get major plot points in this game.

Alright this isn't really the place for this but the orphanage plot actually drives the entire story of the game. I'll try to do this with out spoiling anything.

Characters:

Squall- Raised in the orphanage, was very attached to Ellone and felt very lonely when she left. Grew up to be very cold. Used GF's.

Selphie- Raised in the orphanage, attended Trebia Garden, always dreamed of being in her own band. Used GFs.

Zell- Raised in the orphanage, was adopted. Studied martial arts, used GF's.

Seifer- Raised in the orphanage, was too proud and arrogant to use the GF's [VERY IMPORTANT TO HIS PLOT AND CHARACTER AND RELATIONSHIP WITH EDEA]

Quistis- raised in the orphanage, became a teacher at a young age but resigned because she didn't feel she was good enough. Used GF's so she doesn't understand her feelings for Squall (which isn't love like she thought).

Irvine- Raised in the orphanage, Attended a garden where GF's were not used. [VERY IMPORTANT FOR HIS CHARACTER ESPECIALLY FOR HIS DECISION AT THE END OF DISK 1]

Rinoa- Daughter to the general, started her own rebel group to save her town but was a bit inexperienced. Was very wealthy Inherited sorcesses powers.

A back story does not necessarily make a character developed or not. It's how they change through the story and how they react to situations that are given to them. Considering the plot with Edea, it actually makes a lot of sense that these characters would be raised in the same place.

I can see how it can be said that FFVIII was "unoriginal" by giving most of the characters the same backstory, but I think it gives the characters a greater reason to stick together.

Example: I loved FFVI and one of my favorite characters (don't ask me why) was Gau. But he joins you because you feed him beef jerky. That's just dumb. (Still love the game, and the characters though)

The fact that they were all children together, but can't remember it much except for Irvine enhances one of the major elements of the game: time. It creates and blurs distinctions between past, present, and future, which is of course reiterated in the idea of time compression.

I liked the backstories because they actually meant something in the major scheme of the plot - something that's less likely to happen with characters randomly meeting on the gameplay field.

I liked this game a lot and IMO it is worth getting.
Some of the characters were cool(Selphie, Squall, Zell, Quisty) and some were bad(Irvine, Cid, sometimes Rinoa is a bit annoying but she's not so bad) and I like the plot and the story. And the fact that the characters have almost the same background is quite interesting( for me at least). Like someone stated; is a reason for them to stick together. And I like the ideea of those flying Gardens and of course the Gunblades.

the things i liked about VIII were that you can do extra things during attacks, like power up a GF attack whislt the cinematic plays, and that you can use R1 to fire the gunblade when it hits, i loved them elements to the battle system.

AND you are all forgetting the best airship ever, the Ragnarok

A investment into this game would be a wise one indeed. Graphics are the best of the PS series, junction system unique and a good idea gave a nice way to customize your characters. As for characters yea they were nice and i could easily connect with Squall at the time, all being from the orphange was a slight drap but not major disapointment. Story line in genral was a good one as well and as far as music well it was just great as far as i'm concerned.