I loved it when I played it on PS1 (pretty much on release). I definately prefer it to XIII. I remember preferring it to IX as well due to the art-style differences and settings.
However, it has it's fair share of problems. The Junction system for one made the game far too easy. Junction Ultima to Strength and Curaga to HP and your sorted. It's also not that difficult to stock 100 of each magic and then never cast a magic again because you don't want to lose the stat benefits. In fact, the only magic I remember casting any decent amount was Aura to get limit breaks. Using this tactic meant I beat Omega Weapon, the hardest boss in the game, on my first attempt.
The Junction system also had the problem of being overly complicated for new users. On a few occasions of trying to get some friends to try the demo (where they give a tutorial of the junction system) and most said they couldn't understand the system.
Also, Squall is one of the most annoying and depressing protagonists in any game ever. I think only certain members of FFXIII are worse. The Laguna sections were far more entertaining then Squall's moany attitude to life.
