You should try FF7 and FF9. I liked 8 too but i didnt get into as much. Actualy i think ill make another machine and save for a TV capture card to play these games
Briefly wouldn't of been enough, its a large game and it starts of a little poorly, looking like a diablo clone, but then it matures into much more.
I don't remember much reading addmitedly there is a plot unlike diablo 2 but i'm afrad thats just something you have to put up with in a good rpg.