I am going with Xenogears this time. Even if the story was complex and confusing at times,(I blame that on the fact that I played it off and on) I still got the main point and enjoyed it more than VII's. The main draw though, the reason I go for Xenogears is the battle system and using Gears. VII's battle system was the norm but the materia was great though. Character-wise, I'm kinda split. I enjoy both equally in that aspect.

Both awesome games in their own respect.

The only thing FFVII have that's better then Xenogears is the magic system "materia"(only the magic not the fighting) and the final boss theme, everything else Xenogears pretty much destroy FFVII.

I didn't like VII's story of characters all too much at all. I cared more about Satoshi and his quest to become a Pokemon Master - I was deeply moved when he was able to defeat the Elite Four, and absolutely stunned to learn that his rival Shigeru already did the same. I felt it would be an impossible battle and was, and was filled with immense amount of accomplishment after seeing the young Pokemon Trainer that I played as for so many hours finally etch his proper place in Kanto lore. Truly, a much more engaging and moving story than some emo sword-bearing loser (I mean, he didn't even make it in SOLDIER) and how he stopped another emo sword-bearing loser from whining about not having his mommy (he's a loser because he lost to a loser). Though, I must say I felt the backstory between Caith Sith and Reeve helped me become more understanding of furries. HP Shout Out to my main man Nanaki - awesome XIII tattoo. Maybe if you weren't a lion, Yuffie would be more willing to accept your love.

But Suikoden II easily over every game mentioned in this thread [grandia is still awesome though].