The pearl-clutching of the author regarding the women of the story, and Cloud's aversion to cross-dressing, is about as eye-rolling to me as those elements were

The pearl-clutching of the author regarding the women of the story, and Cloud's aversion to cross-dressing, is about as eye-rolling to me as those elements were to him. That aside, it was a decent read, and in the end he said what I was hoping he'd realize: It was a game targeted at a particular demographic, though potentially enjoyable by anyone. The easter eggs which he chose to ignore are a part of the "openness" of the game that makes it feel like a more immersive world - I remember farming chocobos for hours in order to get the golden one, which would let me get the Knights of the Round summon. As the author realizes but doesn't quite say, it was a product of its time. It is amazing as a video game the same way Zeppelin and Black Sabbath are amazing rock and metal - their sound is more impressive when you realize they were the vanguard of a new way of music. Seinfeld is "just" a nihilistic comedy like dozens of others, but it was first. Some of these games are considered so great as a bandwagon effect, but I say that in a kind way: It's part of the common culture of gaming, and so experiencing it (and hopefully enjoying it) brings you into a familiarity with the subculture, the same way one has probably watched Star Wars or Star Trek to be a "sci fi" geek.