I think it was Famitsu that picked FFX as the greatest game of all time. Wasn't even that long ago, either. I was engrossed by the characters, story, and (at the time, graphics). The sphere grid was like crack, too.
One thing I've learned from this thread: The RPG you like is almost certainly NOT goin to be the RPG someone else likes. Pick one soon, though. Your time is limited.