I actually didn't mind VIII, although I also had issues with the drawing system and linking your magic to your stats. Just seemed needlessly complicated to me. And don't get me started with the fucking card game. That really got on my nerves, and they seemingly have something irritating like that in every FF since. At least blitzball was somewhat entertaining when you got an overpowered team (Brother and Tidus = win) and started kicking the crap out of everyone.
I will agree with Spoony that Quistis was probably the best thing about VIII though. I'll be in my bunk, indeed.