Does this game truly need minmaxing?

[Nihility]

minmax is only important for the accuracy stat, it really makes a big difference having that at cap and you may need to do set mixing to keep it there depending on what you currently have available. Other than that some secondary stats are definitely more useful than others but not enough to really bother since none of the level 90 stuff has materia anyways

Also, since you mentioned level 50 food. Do not waste your time on the garbage, the percentage on them is so low you need stats in the 700's to actually make them better than the much easier to make level 45-47 foods like deviled eggs, buttons in a blanket, la noscean toast, and mulled tea

[Xerius]

I like running around in my underwear as a reminder to the min/maxers and the fashionistas that they're taking this game too seriously. :P