This game is full of nostalgia for me, it was the first Final Fantasy game I played and still my favourite. The mechanics are good, though the junction system is open to wild abuse to over power your team. The story is epic and if it ocassionaly feels a little on the nose it still manages suprisingly profound undertones about the effect live combat would have on young adults. The set piece movies still hold up in my opinion and it has one of the most addictive computer card games (Triple Triad) which gives gwent a run for it's money.
If your fond of JRPGs this is a must have and is one of the least grindy I've played.