Anyway, what I noticed about people hating FF8 is that they do it in comparison with other FF's. And something that I noticed too is the passion it generates. (And yet I know some people may jump to post that they are totally indiferent to FF8, that it is like it never existed, LOL).
I said that it is very subjective, very personal. I am not trying to prove anything.
And I really don't know why, but I love this game. Maybe it has to do with some particular time in my life. Or maybe, to my personal taste, it hit the sweet spot between realism and fantasy... (FF7 seemed to me way to cartoonish, but in a bad way, FF9 tried to go back there, but then I found it way too perfect as a cartoonish design... Gee I don't know)
About the Squall hate... Don't get it either. I like the guy. I can relate with him. (I may looked like him when I was his age, without the scar and with a dirtier hair. But hey, everybody is handsome when 17, right?) He hardly talks and some people find that annoying. Maybe he's too cute for a male protagonist.
Rinoa... Oh my.... she's so beautiful. I barely can hold my breath when i see her LOL!
Anyway, I repeat that I am not trying to prove anything, but it is nice to meet people who share my feelings. Too me it is more than a game. It is Not just a game. It is way something more.