That time in the PS1's life was heavily saturated by RPGs, especially from Square. I was working in a FuncoLand at the time, and you had in just a couple of years Final Fantasy VIII, Legend of Mana, Legend of Dragoon, Vagrant Story, Jade Coccoon, Star Ocean 2, Tales of Destiny II, Shadow Madness, Suikoden II, Brave Fencer Musashi, Grandia, Guardian's Crusade, Rhapsody, Lunar, Lunar 2, Thousand Arms, Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy IX, Saga Frontier 2, Vandal Hearts 2, Saiyuki, Persona 2, Alundra 2, Valkyrie Profile, and loads more. Square was high on it enough to promote it alongside Chrono Cross and Legend of Mana with ads and even promo soundtrack discs. Think about it, though... three RPGs at the same time from the same company. You couldn't give away Suikoden II back then. Ol' Dew Prism never stood a chance.

I don't think people hated it... but I never met anyone pumped up for it. I think if you were playing all of those RPGs that were new at the time, you're probably just now getting to the damn thing.