Mine’s probably nostalgia tinged but here goes: FFVII, VIII, IX, and X I love the setting, I love the mechanic changes between the series from materia giving various boosts in 7 to the actual spell slots changing stats in 8 and the summons in 9, and blitzball in 10. The story for each was unique in their own world ending way and beautiful to run through. I replay them probably once every three-five years or so but they mark a high point for me. Adding to the list, Demon’s Souls. I never fully understood the storyline behind it but the sequencing of zones around the central hub and the combat are some of my favorite aspects. I need another play on that soon… It would probably be a little weeby of me to take some life lessons from them but they did help me to understand that hard decisions sometimes have to be made that include personal sacrifice and doing things that are unpleasant in order to move everyone forward and up.
I didn’t even take it as satire on that, I thought it was just a weeb version of plane waifus and while I don’t understand it I also am not threatened by accepting it may be a reality for some people. If someone wants to identify as an anthropomorphic attack helicopter because they want a helicopter waifu… I don’t understand but I don’t have to to chuckle a bit and move on with my life. I don’t know if that is a healthy view (mine) but it doesn’t make me think of them as less human anymore that someone who likes pineapple on pizza. Sorry for the ramble, let me know if I’m off or missing something.