I think FF7 graphics are real good. I was surprised at the battle graphics when I first tried out the demo....I remember all the hype about FF7. I also remember my view of console type games at the time. I always considered myself a computer player....Always thought that consoles were for kids...all action, no strategy. I always thought that Consoles were the home for games like Basketball, Football, Punch-out, Mortal Combat, etc... So I would see "FF7 PC" on the shelf and "Mortal Combat PC", sitting next to it, both Console ports; and just pass them on by. You see, I thought FF7 was a fighting game, like Mortal Comabat, I had no idea. Not even a clue what it really was.
I picked up Eidos', "Thief", instead. After a couple of weeks of playing Thief, I figured I would look at the Demo Disk that came with the game. I still have the Demo CD. Comes with a few games and a few movies. Two of the games on that 'Vol 1 Eidos Demo Disk' (I wonder if it's worth anything since it Vol 1?) are Final Fantasy Battle and Field demos. After playing about 30 seconds of the Battle demo, I thought to myself, this isn't too bad for a fighting game, but seems too boring to buy it just for this. Then I tried the Field game. It's a cutout from FF7 where you learn Barrets past. I was stunned. I bought FF7 that same day, and never regreted it (it was only 30 dollars anyway...I passed it up for a long time!). I was even more stunned when I found out that I just bought a game with four whole Cd's in it! When I hit that thing in Disk 1.....I had to pause the game...'cause I was too sad/shocked, to fight Jenova......

. That is why FF7 is considered and remembered as the best RPG. FF7 broke the mold for Console sterotype games, for me. And I'm sure I'm not alone in this thinking. Come to think of it....I still haven't played a PC game that grabs you like FF does, when it comes to an emotional story. (even though the actual conversion of the game is fair, at best.)
I now consider Square RPG games as the best games, out there. FF7 started my intrest in Square games. Hmmm....also Japan's style of animation, come to think of it. Then again maybe the Cartoon network had a big play on the animation part....
I just completed Crono Cross (and triggered the CronoTrigger).....and it's damn good game, too. I like the story (it get deep towards the end, if you don't mess up in the end....I had to search the web for the order....), and in a wierd way, it has some replay value. The only thing I don't like is that the game feels 'empty' between the main plot. I don't know how else to explain it. Guess it has too many playable characters and it takes something away, from the story. That's why I like Final Fantasy....It doesn't feel as empty as other games. It seems to come to life. It's more like a interactive book or something.
BTW:
...after seeing CC's battle engine. I'm going to guess that FFX's battle engine is going to be very simular. It kinda more statigic (but gets repetitious and boring, during non-boss battles). I remember rumors from FF10, that the battles were going have more strategy in them. CC also has no leveling (well...it does, but they don't show you a real level# per say), I think FF10 is said to have no leveling, either. So I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that CC's Battle engine is going to be in FF10.... (I wonder if I'm even close.)