I hear from those better versed in the Final Fantasy franchise than I describe FFII as the "black sheep" of the franchise. Now having completed it, I understand where they are coming from, but overall enjoyed the experience. The leveling system, aka the elephant in the room, is indeed obtuse and poorly aged. However, it was in some ways a pioneering system that has bones we can see in modern RPGs' usage-based skill leveling systems. I do not think it would be too far-fetched to suggest that FFII laid down the groundwork for the skill leveling systems we see in the likes of The Elder Scrolls or in Starfield later this year.

While this first attempt at altering the tried and true means of leveling was middling in its reception, FFII distinguished itself from its predecessor in one other notable way. In my eyes, FFII represented a definitive step for the franchise in establishing self-identity. Here, unlike in FFI, there is a larger focus on establishing a character-driven story. It was a first-draft in telling a tale with gravity, featuring an ensemble of differing personalities, with a larger focus on world-building. This fundamental blueprint went on to shape future Final Fantasy stories.

Although surely not the best aging Final Fantasy game, I think FFII probably had more of an impact on future RPGs, including those in the same series, than it is often given credit for.