Haha rose tinted glasses are definitely good at doing that. I have to agree because for me it was the opposite. I wasn't such a fan of FFIX so it was surprising to me how many people loved it. I was really interested in the time travel and lineage plotlines from FFVIII especially with all the theories that came up afterwards about how Ultimecia might be an alternate version of Rinoa made immortal by becoming a sorceress. There was also a theory that Ultimecia caused her own defeat by possessing Edea and in the process also saved Rinoa. Meanwhile FFIX was more about personal insecurities like Vivi and eventually Zidane wondering if they're real. Personally I didn't like how Zidane kept reassuring Vivi but as soon as it turned out he wasn't real either he goes total depression mode.

That's actually similar to what happens in IV but I thought Cecil handled it better. I guess when you get to it we'll see if you agree.