Final Fantasy II is Not a Bad Game

Final Fantasy II is heavily criticized and is almost universally considered to be the worst entry in the main series, but is any of this criticism warranted?

Sources:

Reviews:
Final Fantasy II Review (GBA Version) – ArchsagePent
   • Final Fantasy II Review (GBA Version)  

Final Fantasy II Review (PSP) – BawesomeBurf
   • Final Fantasy II Review  

FINAL FANTASY II for PlayStation Video Game Review – CGRundertow
   • CGRundertow FINAL FANTASY II for PlayStati...  

Clement Remembers Final Fantasy! (II) – ClementJ64
   • Clement Remembers Final Fantasy! (II)  

Final Fantasy II – Dean Weiss
   • Final Fantasy II - Dean Weiss  

Final Fantasy II Review – heytallman
   • Final Fantasy II Review  

The History of RPGs Ep. 9 Final Fantasy II Analysis (1988) – Mr. Gentleman
   • The History of RPGs Ep. 9 | Final Fantasy ...  

Final Fantasy II – ProJared
   • Final Fantasy II - ProJared  

Final Fantasy II Review (Plot Spoilers) – Resonant Arc
   • Final Fantasy II Review (Plot Spoilers)  

First Time Playing FINAL FANTASY II – Steno Games
   • Видео  

Final Fantasy 2 Review Pt 1 of 7 I Don't Wanna Do This... – TheFFFanatic
   • Final Fantasy 2 Review Pt 1 of 7 I Don't W...  

Final Fantasy 2 Review Pt 2 of 7 What were they thinking? – TheFFFanatic
   • Final Fantasy 2 Review Pt 2 of 7 What were...  
__________
Metagal Review – Cornshaq
   • METAGAL - PS4 REVIEW  

Final Fantasy III Review (Plot Spoilers) – Resonant Arc
   • Final Fantasy III Review (Plot Spoilers)  

Final Fantasy V Review (Plot Sploiers) – Resonant Arc
   • Final Fantasy V Review (Plot Spoilers)  

Metagal Review – Reviews 2 Go
   • Metagal (Switch) Review  


Top 5/10's:
Top 5 Worst Final Fantasy Games – AvidAlchemist
   • Top 5 Worst Final Fantasy Games  

TOP 5 WORST Final Fantasy Games! – DreamcastGuy
   • TOP 5 WORST Final Fantasy Games!  

Top 12 Final Fantasy Games – IGN
   • Top 12 Final Fantasy Games  

Top 10 Worst Final Fantasy Games – GameTrailers
   • Top 10 Worst Final Fantasy Games  

Worst Final Fantasy Games – Gaming with Spoons
   • Worst Final Fantasy Games  


Gameplay/Let's Play videos:
Let's Play Bravely Default Part 8 - Gameplay Walkthrough – HeroVoltsy
   • Let's Play Bravely Default Part 8 - Gamepl...  

Mass Effect – RabidRetrospectGames
   • Mass Effect Full Game Walkthrough - No Com...  


Miscellaneous videos:
Weapon Durability, Fanbase Fragility (The Jimquisition) – Jim Sterling
   • Weapon Durability, Fanbase Fragility (The ...  

FFCountUp Cast #13 - Best & Worst of Final Fantasy – Myhappy1227
   • FFCountUp Cast #13 - Best & Worst of Final...  

Final Fantasy II (GBA any%) - 2:50:38 – SG
   • Final Fantasy II (GBA any%)  - 2:50:38  

FF2 - Easiest way to raise HP and MP – Ulillillia Archive
   • Final Fantasy 2 - Easiest way to raise HP ...  


Background music:

Shima no Hitobito – Barakamon Soundtrack
A Melody of Nostalgia Reminiscence – Bravely Second: End Layer
Étude Pour les Petites Supercordes – Clannad Soundtrack
Takin’ it Back – Dutty Moonshine
Floating Castle – Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls
Magician Tower – Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls
Rebel Army – Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls
Village Theme – Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls
Court Jesters – Final Fantasy IX
Vivi's Theme – Final Fantasy IX
Ticktack Routine - Little Busters! Soundtrack
Nakanojou no Theme – Nichijou Soundtrack