I loved it, I think a lot of people didn't like it because it couldn't hold a candle to VII, I agree with Manbearpig about the junction system though, it was dreadfull.

I think the thing I loved most about the game was the trains, there's just something cool about getting on a train and watching the landscape. I prefere it to airships!

Eh, I'm actually in the process of playing it (I'm right before the mission after Dollet) and while I don't hate it, I just don't feel motivated enough to play it that often (like I did with X and VII). The junction system seems unnecesarily complicated and not at all that interesting. People say that it allows for customization and allows you to make your characters badass. I ask: How is this so? I have a 100 of the most powerful magic you can get at this point in the game and I'm still using my GF's more than physical attacks or magic. Not only because they do more damage than my characters but also because if I use actual magic my stats will plummet. As far as story goes, nothing has stricken me as great. FFX and FFVII had something quite big and interesting happen right at the beginning (Sin's attack on Zanarkand and bombing Shinra's reactor and the whole Cloud being a mercenary and an Ex-Soldier, establishing his connection with Shinra right from the start, which I think is great). But so far FFVIII seems stagnant in the story department. I'll still beat the game but I seriously do hope it gets more interesting.

WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS
I dont see how anyone could hate this game I think it was THE VERY BEST FF GAME YET so compelling and great. It allows you to make your characters battle style very flexible. NO GOOD/UNIQUE CHARACTER PERSONALITIES???!!!!???? what version of this are you playing Squall:A kid that likes to be alone beacause his sister died and he had to go to an orphanage. He is furious that people would talk about him in "past tense" and doesnt like to be relied on nor to rely on anyone but himself. he doesnt realize why he is the one in control of all this mess. He eventually opens up to his team members and learns to be a little more trusting.
Is that enough?? Junctioning: a great way to make your characters flexible in abilities and combat tactics. It is great to play the game over and over again and always get a different gameplay. NOT CONFUSING if you actually care to try and learn. Card system: Fun and great side game to play and be interested in. Storyline:Who says the main villain is random??? Edea raised the orphans to some day stop her when she was possesed by ultimecia. In the first half of the disk you are just going on your first SeeD mission And then your target appears to be edea and seifer up until the end of disc 2 where it is revealled that it was always ultemecia who is after ellone which is the reason they have been attacking so therefore your main villain was introduced in disc 1 (as edea but still technically the main villain). I enjoy how you enter dream worlds that are shown to you by ellone. gors rating 1-10 = 10/10 I would say 14/10 if i could.

~Gor