The primary issue is that if you're not careful with how you handle increasing your character's stats (which a LOT of new players have difficulty with because off FF8's incredibly unique and unusual stat system) you can easily level up without gaining the strength needed to handle the enemies who level up with you.
I feel like there's a bit of a tier list on how well you can play FF8 and achieve good results in how grow your characters.
From newbie to more experienced player:
Stumble your way through the game without understanding Junctioning and GF abilities, level up normally, spam Summons, and eventually struggle when enemies start to outclass you
v
Avoiding leveling up and using Junctioned magic to boost your stats and carry you through most of the game by keeping enemy levels low.
v
Using Junctioned magic, refining, GF abilities, and other bonuses to play the game as it was intended and maintain a balance between your strength and the enemy strength
v
Avoiding leveling up and using Junctioned magic to boost your stats and carry you through most of the game then after you learn all the stat boosting abilities powerleveling your characters to become gods and thoroughly crushing the end game enemies and super bosses
Well, that's how I progressed over the course of the many times I've replayed this game. I'm not saying one way is objectively better than the other (and wouldn't say an easier way is more fun), but there are definitely different levels in how you decide to play the stat system in this game that open up more possibilities the more you understand how it works and what you can do with it.
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Okay, I rolled a 14. What's that mean? Hsu That you're a cheater. This is a 12-sided die. Chan