/vr/ - Retro Games

I am going to give FFIX another try. It's a game I always thought I'd like but the last time I begun I couldn't get past the first hour for some reason.
Now my question is this: Do I have to look out for extremely hidden things that are unobtainable later in the game? I don't want to use a guide on my first playthrough but I'm no longer a kid and neither do I have the patience right now to look over every inch of the game for hidden stuff. I am however a perfectionist and would be annoyed if I missed on important things.
TL;DR do I need a guide to 100% this game if I'm not in the mood to put too much effort into it?

Also, is this character good? I like the style and I love dragoons, I wanna have her in my party 24/7