I think one of the other reasons 7 gets so much love is the final boss of the game is the big bad throughout the ENTIRE game. None of the other 3D era games have been like that (caveat - I never played the 13 series). 8 was mentioned before the final showdown but it wasn't until what, disc 3? 9 it's some random enemy. 10 is also talked about before it happens but not til way later in the game. 12 I don't even remember wtf the final boss was, only beat the game once even though I enjoy the game itself. 15 I never finished but I don't remember a big bad ever being a thing.
