I like FF7 far better than 6. I have to say that I played 6 years after 7, but I don't think that changes my point of view very much. I'm not saying FF6 is a bad game by any means, but I would not play it again, and I have replayed FF7 at least 2 times and other RPGs like Suikoden and Lunar. I also have to say that FF7 was not my first JRP, as I played Phantasy Star 4, Shining Force 1 y 2, Soleil, Story of Thor and some PSX RPGs (like Suikoden) before, so it's not because FF7 was my first. And, unlike FF6, I'll probably replay Chrono Trigger in the future (and I played it after FF6, so graphics and tech have no influence in that matter).
Finally, I don't think that gameplay is dated at all. In fact, I think gameplay has gone worse with the "evolution" of the genre (starting with FFX). The only thing I'd change would be random encounters. You should always see the enemies like in Chrono, Lunar, etc.
