I agree with you about FDVI and Suikoden 2. I am going to offer an alternative for 1998. Panzer Dragoon Saga is so creative and unique compared to its peers from that year I think it 🎉should be considered. Baldurs Gate is great but I honestly don't even consider it the best CRPG of that year I believe Fallout 2 pushed the boundaries both thematically as well as the specific narrative. For 99 I offer a CRPG that is better than FFVIII and I believe at least a close peer if not better than Suikoden 2. Planscape Torment🐟 which you could get through with negotiation and stealth and rarely fight. It's one of the most unique crpg games ever.