SPOILER ALERT...

-In regard to my favorite music, I would have to say that FFVI had the most moving pieces, as it was basically an opera (complete w/ pagliacci clown). Every theme reeked of it's respective character's personality and disposition. Terra's theme was undeniably beautiful yet one is left empty as if something were missing when that song plays. On the other end of the spectrum, you have Locke's theme, which is complete in it's optimism and it's unyeilding high tempo definitely impresses Locke's heroism and humor on the listener. In my mind, VI is among Uematsu's finest work.

-As overall characters go, this is a much more difficult question to answer if you are a fan of the FF universe in general. To me, there is no party as a whole which embodies EVERYTHING that I look for in a group of protagonists. Which is not to say that each group isn't well rounded in each their unique way. However, if forced to choose, I must say that VI is again the standout. Locke's internalized struggle with his own failure to protect Rachel, and it's effects on Celes as an admirer, are subtle. Her empathy for him is palpable, yet her sadness at his love is just barely felt through her distant approach toward him. Then there is Shadow, who hides an inky past and even more indiscernible motives. He keeps the others at arm's lenghth, yet he more so than any of the others, seems to possesses an understanding of human nature. His capacity for empathy is well hidden and even seems to grow as the saga progresses. Let's not forget his dirty little secret. He is Relm's father, so he cares most of all for the girl, yet keeps a distance which I percieve to be a self imposed punishment for leaving her. I got the strange feeling that he felt as though he didn't deserve to speak with her, and that he was doing her a favor by with-holding his identity from her. Perhaps the last thing she needed was a murderous vagabond for a father. Or perhaps I read into it all too deeply...I digress on this point

-My favorite character of all time is definitlely Cloud Stryfe. Let no one say that among the hundreds of characters in the FF universe, that his isn't the most exquisitely complex yet relatable story. Identity, comraderie, and purpose. These are things which he craved, yet paradoxically rejected. These are also things that I think anyone can find true for themselves. Cloud was an experiment on the part of the creators. He was somewhere outside of the typical "lone-wolf" character, all the while personifying it. To me, he was a reinvention of Clint Eastwood. He lended much to the "hardness", yet was allowed much more vulnerability than any of Clint's timeless characters. Not to mention that we have been supplied un precedented background on Cloud as a character by the good people at SE.

-Best villain...Kefka (FFVI). In my opinion Kefka was a Japanese nod to "The Joker" from the Batman universe, only much more murderous and insane. His appearance as a twisted Pagliacci was the ultimate nuance of the game, in my opinion, and I'm sure that this was not intended, but Kefka always sort of reminded me of John Wayne Gayce, who was an american serial killer which worked as a party clown called "Pogo The Clown". All in all, I believe that Kefka both in appearence and behavior, is a beautiful mash-up of famous clowns and I both salute and acknowledge the parody as genius.

-The best storyline goes to VI yet again for reasons I have already outlined. And I can't comment on the best ending as I can't decide...