FFT has a better story than most FF although bad translation makes it more confusing than epic.
It is made by ex-qwest employees, makers of Tactics Ogre and Ogre battle series games. Tactics Ogre is arguably the best tactics game ever. Even the GBA version was great (not made by the original team).
FFT:WOTL is the superior version since it has a newer translation and cut-scenes and at $19.99 at most places not much more than the original when it is released on PSN (probably $9.99). Since for $19.99 you will get a superior version and a disc I suggest you buy War of the lions instead.
I currently have FFT:WOTL and I had played the original as well :) so not buying again.
FFTA is a tactics game based in the same world (Ivalice) but has a completely different story. I "really" liked it. The way the tactics portion was introduced was great. The story had a pretty strong start but towards the middle it lost its pacing.
The Tactics Ogre engine had more features/tweaks than FFT engine but FFT looks prettier, more colorful. Tactics Ogre universe was more fleshed out as well. I am still amazed at what they were able to achieve with that engine. The amount/number of animations and detail of animations reminded me of Lucas Arts games (To the tune of animations on Monkey Island Vs Kings Quest).
People who have not played FFT should buy it. Hopefully we will see Tactics Ogre on PSN soon . Then we can have discussions on which is better ;)
