Final Fantasy VIII

Final Fantasy VIII (1999) has always been a polarizing game. It's narrative style and game play mechanics were so different from previous entries in the series that it was bound to be a matter of taste with hardcore fans. However, I feel this title, the series' black sheep (okay, until XIII), is among the best RPGs ever created.

The junctioning system is not perfect; yes, drawing magic can be tedious. But I think the system on the whole is a neat way to customize characters. With some more reworking, the junction and draw system could be amazing. I also liked the way summons were utilized as something other than glorified spells.

Though many seem to despise him, I think Squall Leonhart may be the best written FF protagonist. His psychology and worldview sync well with his back story and the game's themes of the need for companionship and love. The other characters in the party are all fascinating in their own ways and grow in complexity, though sadly a few are not given as much development as they should have been.

The love story of Squall and Rinoa, while maybe not "the last great love story of the 20th century," is sweet and effective. A little cheesy at times, but that's part of what makes them an appealing couple.

Of course, there are flaws. The narrative gets convoluted toward the end. There is a certain plot twist that is never fleshed out enough and comes off as trite. The draw system gets tedious. The gun blade is a silly concept, sure. Still, nothing is ever perfect, even great art, which I firmly believe this game to be, mock me for it or no.

There's so much more I could praise: the soundtrack, the world-building, the stunning (for 1999) FMV sequences, and the Triple Triad mini game. The story and rich characterization of the protagonist alone make FFVIII a game in desperate need of re-evaluation.

I grew up on the Final Fantasy series, I remember playing the first one when I was a mere sprog and the excitement that came with each subsequent release.

By the time eight came out I was a man but my love for the franchise was as strong as ever, I perhaps wasn't ready for the epic that I was about the undertake.

At that point as good as all the previous games were nothing had come close to this masterpiece. And yes I know most people fawn all over seven, but not this guy.

The characters were so varied, so original. The plot was captivating, gripping and nothing short of an epic. The score was the best yet, it took each scene and enhanced it with memorable tracks that really helped you get into the drama before you.

The game itself, I've heard a lot of criticism. Many people say that the combat system is too simple and that using certain junctions you can become rather overpowered. Truth be told, this is kind of right but not to a game breaking point.

The combat is fluid and turn based (The way the franchise should have stayed). The enemies are plentiful as are the incredible boss encounters. The amount of side content is insane, from the excellent card game through to the additional guardian forces there are hundreds of hours of enjoyment to be had.

It has to be said I adore Final Fantasy eight and since this only one FF game has beaten it in my eyes. Gripping, powerful and near flawless it's the benchmark for rpgs that so very few come close to competing with.

The Good:

Looks great

Perfect score

Powerful story

Incredible characters

The Bad:

You can get overpowered rather easily

Very grindy in places especially for side content rewards

Acquiring 100% of cards requires some silly methods you'd never know about without a guide

Things I Learnt From This Game:

Squall > Cloud

Rinoa > Aerith

The fact that every other Final Fantasy has been re-released/remastered except eight is evidence that the world is a sentient being and ruddy hates me

I've grown up wanting to play other people... to slip into their lives and see how they're different-- and similar-- to myself. I didn't actually get involved in pen-and-paper RPG's until I graduated from college, and haven't found many computer or console games that have been of any interest to me...

That is, until I played one of the Final Fantasy games. The first game I played was FFVI (which was, what, III in Japan?) and I was hooked. I loved the characters, and I was annoyed when the couples at the end didn't work out the way I wanted them to. ;) But I loved the way everything meshed together, and it wasn't simply a matter of running from point a to point b and beating up anything that got in your way.

Then I started playing FF8, and I was completely blown away. Just the opening graphics stunned me, and I hadn't even *started* the game itself yet. I haven't quite finished the game yet (I started over 'cause I got confused over an aspect of the Guardian Forces, so I got to a battle that was impossible for me to win, and I couldn't get away from it.) but I've made it through 3/4 of it, and all I can say is that I've *NEVER* seen a video game that made me cry... but this one accomplished it.

I look at the game as an outsider to the industry... I hate the fighting games where you do nothing but face off against an opponent in the ring. I see no point to them. The run-around-with-big-guns-and-blow-things-up games do nothing for me either. I like the games that are more like puzzles and that make you think about what you're doing (like Tetris, Mah Jong, things like that). However, FF8 gets the highest rating I can give a game, because I find it fascinating and beautifully made. Others who have played bazillions of other games find things wrong with FF8 left and right, because it's different from what they're used to... Since I went into it with an open mind of sorts, however, all I can see is the overpowering beauty and emotion of the characters, animation, and design.

Squaresoft's (now Square-Enix) highly anticipated "Final Fantasy VIII" released in February of 1999 in Japan, and later in September 1999 for the United States and Europe. It got mixed reviews, but one thing is for certain, it definitely was a starting map for the way games are done today.

The first time I played this game, I was totally blown away. It's also become one of my most treasured and beloved games of all time. The romantic and emotional storytelling the game presents is superb, and will definitely leave its mark on you forever. This game is so incredible, that you might actually break into tears at the end.

Telling the story of lone wolf Squall Leonhart, who is looking forward to joining an elite military organization named SeeD. His life takes a drastic change when he meets the warm-hearted and gentle Rinoa Heartilly. However, this developing friendship is attacked when an evil sorceress named Edea gets involved into the lives of The World, with her own plans that could shift the balance of power everywhere. SeeD is dispatched to eliminate her, which is where Final Fantasy VIII begins.

Featuring music by the astonishing and refreshing Nobou Uematsu, which will simply blow you out of your shoes. Adding to the game's soundtrack is Faye Wong's "Eyes On Me", which holds a special place in my heart and is the song which got me into Faye's music. An underrated Final Fantasy game, in which deserves a big round of applause. Two big thumbs up.

Squall Leonhart, a courageous young man, who gets his training skills at the Balamb Garden. Because of his lack of trust in anyone, Squall isolates himself from everyone in the Garden. His excellent fighting skills soon makes him a SeeD, an organization who goes against the sorceress, who soon comes into the picture and tries to destory and take over the world. Now it's up to Squall and his new friends to try to stop the sorceress from destroying the world. Yet that's not all - soon Squall learns the meaning of true friendship and surprisingly - LOVE. And who is Laguna Loire and Ellone?

Joining Squall in his great adventure are:

- Quistis Trepe - the SeeD instructor who, like Squall, suffers from loneliness, and becomes an older-sister figure to Squall and the other SeeDs

- Zell Dincht - a fun-loving SeeD who loves wild and risky adventures, and is one of the best fighters in the Balamb Garden.

- Selphie Tilmitt - a SeeD with a cheerful, spunky, and bouyant attitude who also has great fighting skills like Squall and Zell.

- Irvine Kinneas - a ladies man originally from Galabia Garden (Balamb Garden's rival Garden), and sharpshooter who soon has a thing for Selphie, yet secretly has a sensitive and caring nature.

- Rinoa Heartilly - the princess of the Timber Owls, an anti-government orginazation who calls for the Seeds for help, who at first had a brief fling with Balamb Garden bully, Seifer Almasy, but soon falls helplessly in love with Seifer's arch rival, Squall.

All I can say about this game is "WOW!"

Can you believe the life-like graphics and animation on this game? Some say that "Final Fantasy VIII" is the weakest of the sagas (because of it's storyline), but I loved the storyline! The storyline is mostly, I think, based on life...explaining how a gifted lonewolf like Squall could learn to open up to his friends and the girl of his dreams especially. This story a long life lesson for all loners who feel isolated, and Squall's personality is an important part in the story and how his attitude changes, is even more important.

As you read the dialogue, you can easily see what each of the characters are feeling...whether it's love (i.e. Squall and Rinoa), fear, courage, hopefulness (i.e. Zell and Quistis), sorrow, or happiness (i.e. Irvine and Selphie).

Not to mention, the dialogue can also be pretty hilarious. Seifer's comment on Zell and Squall for example:

"This is great! I have a chicken-wuss and a guy who just reached puberty in my squad!"

"Final Fantasy VIII" is the first FF game I ever played, but on the other hand, it's very easy to. A LOT easier than "Final Fantasy VII". I even beat the Omega Weapon, which is the toughest monster on the game. Plus, the plot and storyline isn't as difficult as the 7th.

Final Fantasy VIII has the best animation and kind of crosses over into new technology for video games and even Japanese Animation! :)

TIPS: **Squall and Zell are the strongest fighters in the game** and **Squall, Zell, and Rinoa have the best limit breaks** And DON'T FORGET to get **AURA** magic, and DO NOT spend it all in one battle - or you'll be SORRY!!!!