Khuutra on 13 June 2008
Final Fantasy VII did not put the series on the map. The original did. FFVII only made it "cool", which is an intensely different thing.
The most important Final Fantasy in terms of concept is the original.
In terms of mechanics it would be Final Fantasy IV, for the introduction of the ATB system.
In terms of characterization it's VI, easily.
In terms of storytelling it's XII.
I can't think of a criteria under which VII would be the most important.
