FF9 is slow but it's worth sticking at it, the pace quickens a lot once you get into it and past the tournament shit and all that pissing about. It's my favorite FF so I guess I would say that though :P I haven't played it through in a while, but I think it's around the time you get to Madain Sari that the plot begins to get more oomph. The latter part of the plot and the ending bosses & cutscenes are really worth the effort!