People seem to forget the number one reason Final Fantasy 7 is loved so fondly and remembered all these years later- it was one of the first video games able to tell a story that MILLIONS of people cared about.  In fact, it's probably the first RPG to ever tell such an incredible story.  It was also groundbreaking back in the day having extremely-realistic cutscenes featured, along with a quest that carried over 3 discs.  That's why the game is remembered.