Final Fanasy 7 or 8

[Sorcery]

I played VII for the first time in 2004 and the game absolutely blew me away from beginning to end. Everything about it was excellently done, the pacing, the art style, the characters (minus Cait Sith), the music, etc.

I played VIII immediately afterwards, and it did absolutely nothing for me. I didn't get very far at all before I gave up on the game, one of the lamest beginnings of an RPG that I can remember.