Well, I've spend around 100+ hours on this one, and I really didnt like as much as most guys in here. After playing more mature/dark /convoluted FF as VII and VIII, IX was just a sweet (horribly so, IMO at the time) plot...It didnt just fit with me ( I was around 17-19 at the time...If I remeber correctly).
Glad that people liked it so much, but this isnt high on my FF list, maybe in fourth/fifth (X, VIII, VII, VI, XII or IX here...).
I just hope that XIII do its job and fill a position on this top 5!