Oh yes indeed, I will classify myself in the old fogey classification along with MidgarFanatic.
*Waves cane at all the Kingdom Hearts fans.*
Er...But yes, you are correct, games like Final Fantasy Tactics really did force the player to use their brains and strategic methods, which I really appreciated. Of course, you could always grind your levels and make the event battles so easy, and should you accept Orlandu within your party, the name of the game should change to Final Fantasy Massacre...but it really was intricate with strategy elements-such as the classic battle with Elmdor, and stealing away his weapon and armour, or having Ramza learn Ultima from the dancers. My god, I used to have a thick head of hair before.
It was not just about brute strength alone-should you wish to master all, a simple level 99 alone would not help.
Now, they have transformed my beloved Tactics series with judges who condemn me with handicaps and buggers who keep stealing my territory. There may be some slight strategic elements within, but nowhere near as wonderful and genuine as in the original.
Of course, that as well was for a different audience, and so I can understand that kingdom Heart's success is not merely a cash in aspect, and I suppose for what it is, it must be a great game. But it turned me right off, for reasons I've already listed.
I guess I simply resent being old, and having what I loved stored away. Meh, well they still come out with re-releases, and like MidgarFanatic stated, Final Fantasy Tactics gave birth to my love of tactical role playing games. I never did play Ogre Battle, but I have found plenty of other ones, such as Vandal Hearts, Kartia or later ones such as Stella Deus. I also own Hoshigami, but I've not tried it yet.
I probably should before I start whining that they do not make brain wracking games like they used to. But once again, taste has much to do with it...I cannot get into quirky and happy non depressive games like Kingdom Hearts or Disgaea...even if the latter should, by all rights, suit my interests.
So this may play a role for many desensitised folks just as much? Still, even with such consideration, it is no joke that the difficulty and brain factor in many games and their gameplay is replaced by more simple things. But now I shall proceed to chase mine own tail, heh. besides, not all Final Fantasy games are dark and depressive, and I still enjoy most of them.
(I don't actually have bright green numbers floating all over my room). 
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