I don't mean to be utterly vague, but I think FFVII has some intangible quality that you just can't put your finger on. It's like when you get those classic albums that just tend to capture everyone's imagination (stuff like Nevermind, Appetite for Destruction, Number of the Beast), and I think this game is the same. Although I am one of those people who considers FFVII to be the best, I think that there are others which come very close.
I do agree with Vladislak that the timing of its release has a big factor in the public's perception of the game. I don't however think "first FF nostalgia" is as big a factor as people make it out to be.
I do agree with Vladislak that the timing of its release has a big factor in the public's perception of the game. I don't however think "first FF nostalgia" is as big a factor as people make it out to be.