10 has much more cutscenes than VIII.

Yes it was.

First of all, i would like to say, that the games are similar in no way, so comparing this is very odd, but I will proceed with my argument. The Metroid series is one of the most critically beloved series of all time. Every single metroid game (aside from other M) has been recieved huge amounts of praise. 

The gameplay is some of the best in the buisiness. Huge labyrinths that you navigate with little to no guidence is challenging, but extremely rewarding. Slowly upgrading into a super soldier as you traverese beautiful alien worlds. Saying that it has weak gameplay is extremely silly. You haven't played the games, or even given them a chance. So don't make baseless statements that make you look foolish. 

As far as asthetics go. You really make me laugh. Sure the Metroid Prime trilogy is not in HD, but it has better art direction that just about anything in the industry. Retro set out to make beautiful games, and they did. 

Immersion is what the Metroid series is known for, it's haunting music, atmosphere, and tension are really industry leaders. Super Metroid is still a very immersive game. I'm playing it right now for the first time, and loving it to pieces. It's just as good as any modern game, and still holds up. 

Storyline is not really a focus, I'll give you that, but not every game is about story. 

I know you really like Sony, I can see that from your bashing of Nintendo, but do your research, and maybe broaden your gaming horizons. Nintendo makes some really quality stuff. Metroid being a chief example.

So your gripe about VIII's cutscenes? What do we do with it?

The problem was that they replaced the whole leveling feeling with drawing magic to burn time. When you level, you get a sense of accomplishment like a feeling of being rewarded, which makes 0 difference in that game besides making it harder, and you just draw all day and watch the number slowly go up as the time gets wasted away feeling unsatisfied and empty, then you get to the last boss and get a really anti climatic ending that almost made no sense if you really think about it, the whole love thing was just executed terribly.

And I actually played FF8 on PC(also FF7), MGS on both PSX and PC, actual PC versions, and trust me when I say that they were not very graphically impressive to me at the time since I've been a PC gamer for forever lol, but PSX brought out a lot of interesting gameplay and I liked the game pad a lot(even had adapter for it on PC lol), that's for sure.

this thread is interesting , like both nintendo and sony , but i only have played ps2 games metal gear solid , mostly i have a soft spot for nintendo because i love playing local multiplayer with my bro and cousins and those types of games are abundant on nintendo , and i love metroid and zelda so i'm happy just playing on nintendo platforms, but i do want to try last of us that game looks like it coud be something unique

8 was the beginning of that horrible trend, 10 just rode it out to it's conclusion.  Now, I'm not syaing X was great, but it was alright for the type of game it was.  8 had a lot of draw backs.... A LOT.

we laugh? remember when they first unveiled the FF8 trailer, and as Rinoa and Squall were flying to each other and the entire US audience were laughing? So was I when I first watched it hahaha. FFX was alright, the system wasn't as annoying, the ending did piss me off so I think they did their jobs OK, but FFX2 was uh, weird? Made me wonder what audience they were really trying to target at the time lol, FF12 was basically SP FF11(yeah I played that too lol.) Then there was 13, where I want to kill Hope, and 13-2, which I still can't even finish yet..... oh Final Fantasy, what happened to you? 6 was so fucking GOOD! WHY!!?!?!?!?!?

In terms of visuals, and I'm talking the amazing backdrops, FF8 was honestly top of its time. Sure, 3D models weren't amazing but they were still well made for their time. I can't remember games like Hitman looking that much better in terms of the character at that time. Sure the graphics were smoother, but the char design of FF8 characters obliterated games like Hitman and Max Payne, night and day.

Drawing magic was part of the game, much like casting a spell. If you farmed it would take time, but you didn't have to have 99 draws at all times either. I don't think they put it to burn time, they just wanted to make a mechanic to limit your power so you weren't OP. Sure it didn't work out for everyone (some found cracks early in the game), but for me it worked out perfectly. Matter of fact I beat the game without even knowing how to craft weapons, so I'd be able to replay it for that aspect. :)

The ending of FF8 may not make sense after thorough analysis (which isn't the point of the experience), but what was enjoyable was going through all the questions and wondering what exactly is all going on throughout the game. Ultimately the ending didn't dissappoint me, but the mystery throughout the game is the whole fun of the game and to me it didn't dissappoint at all.

The backdrops looked like shit on PC man, the resolution was too low, we were already rocking HD res at the end of the 90's and the game didn't hold up lol. 7 had the same problem. Think about it though, you can literally run through FF8 in hella easy mode if you keep your characters under 15, how is that not a fucked up game? The story also almost made no sense, 9 was just a much better game where everything made sense and the ending was actually awesome if you keep the hammer!