I just replaced the original (with mods to make it look nicer) last year. Hadn’t played it since like 1997 on PS. It was great nostalgia and still a great game, but obviously a bit dated in some QOL departments.
It is, however, a complete game and the story line is still good. Especially if you go into it blind. The entire materia system to give your characters powers and perks is legendary.
The OG game came out as an entire (and long) game. It’s complete. Major bonus. No bullshit having to buy a game like 3 times over a 15 year span just to get it all. Not to mention having to keep waiting for that 3rd game to release.
If you like (or think you may like) old school turn based rpg’s, then give it a shot. You should like it. If you don’t like those, avoid it, and if you haven’t ever played one, it’s not a lot of money to risk.
I do recommend getting some mods on it though. It can be made to look much better than it originally did during that awkward phase where they were making 3d games, but graphics weren’t good enough to warrant making them 3d.