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Release Dates
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Statistics
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- 29 September 2000
- 2 November 1999
- 9 September 1999 |
Title: Final Fantasy VIII
Developer: Square-Enix (Squaresoft at time of release)
Publisher: Square-Enix (Squaresoft at time of release)
Platform: Playstation One
Disc(s): Four
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
Our Rating: 9/10 |
The story of FFVIII starts with Squall, a young member of Balamb Garden
who has just previously battled his 'rival': Seifer. Sadly Squall came
out the worst when Seifer cheats and uses Magic, also giving Squall a
permanent scar across his face.
Balamb Garden is a neutral academy for people to become mercenaries and
eventually graduate to SeeDs. SeeDs are Elite warriors who are dispatched
all over the world to whoever will pay them. Squall is a powerful fighter
who uses a weapon called a 'Gunblade', you'll start the game just before
the 'test' to become a SeeD.
After the first Fire Cave test, Squall will be sent to Dollet; a town
currently overrun by the Galbadian army who are trying to take over the
Communication Tower to broadcast a message to the world. And Squall, joined
by Zell, Quistis, Selphie and Seifer, will to try stop them!
After the test, Squall returns to Balamb Garden to receive the results.
These results determine how much you will be paid, (Squall's a SeeD now,
he needs a salary!) which may increase or decrease throughout the game.
At the party celebrating the new SeeD members, Squall meets a mysterious
young girl who invites him for a dance, who disappears as soon as she appeared...
As the game moves on you'll be sent on many missions, meet new party members,
find the girl at the party, kidnap a President, travel the world, fly
into outer space and save the world from an evil Sorceress...
Review - By FFFreak
Plot - 9/10
Graphics - 7/10
Music - 8/10
Battle System - 7/10
Gameplay - 8/10
Difficulty - 7/10
Overall - 9/10
Plot - 9/10
The story of FFVIII is a very unpredictable one, twisting round out of
sight, suddenly changing without warning.
Basically you are a member of SeeD called Squall. Squall travels all over
the world fighting for Balamb Garden, freeing Timber, rocketing into outer
space, even discovering the Garden's most fearful secret...
Along Squall's journey, you'll meet several characters who join you in
your many missions, including; Quistis, one of Balamb's Instructors; Selphie,
a young SeeD who likes trains; Zell, a fiesty SeeD member who's up for
action; Rinoa, the mysterious girl from the party...
As you play the game plot springs up at you at every turn; an assassination
attempt, a moving Garden, a mysterious past, the strange 'Dreams', a prison
escape, a Sorceress, the Lunar Cry...
Graphics - 7/10
For FFVIII eliminating the old in-game character graphics in FFVII, for
a more human look was a very good decision. You can see a lot more detail,
(even blinking!) and body movements have also improved on the new characters.
The backgrounds are still fantastic, with no detail left out. Things like
curtains moving in a breeze and smoke rising from a cigarette are done
effortlessly.
FMV's are still stunning, going for a slightly more human look to the
characters, but still keeping the Animé feel. Waves breaking on
a shore, feathers flying in the wind, all look superb!
Music - 8/10
The music is still going strong, perhaps not as memorable as FFVII, but
still excellent. Liberi Fatali is a great song, going perfectly with the
opening FMV.
However music like the tune echoing in Balamb Garden's halls can get slightly
annoying and a bit repetitive.
But despite this, Nobuo Uematsu is still doing great!
Battle System - 7/10
The battles when I first played this game seemed very boring and tiresome.
The whole 'drawing' 100 of a magic for each character from enemies is
simply dire.
Of course you don't have to draw that many, but I wanted to have a large
magic stock for casting and junctioning.
FFVIII uses a 'junction' system, by junctiong Guardian Forces, (basically
summons) you can equip magic to stats to increase them and also select
your battle commands.
In a battle you can summon junctioned GFs, cast stocked magic, draw and
either stock or cast magic from enemies and use items. As you level up
your GF's abilities you can junction magic do new stats or select a different
battle command.
Accessories and Armor are gone and only Weapons remain, however these
are harder to get. Not only do you need to find weapon magazines to learn
new designs, you then have to go to a weapon shop, use hard earned parts
to upgrade the chosen weapon and pay GIL for it! Oh well.
Limits are still there, but can usually only be used if the character's
HP is below Critical (yellow HP).
Treasure chests are gone, instead you have 'Draw Points' used to draw
certain magic.
Gameplay - 8/10
You definitely spend a very long time trying to complete FFVIII what with
those really-hard-to-get GFs!
FFVIII replayability is pretty good, getting things you missed the first
time and completing sub quests is great fun, or even just to refresh your
memory of what happens in Disc Three...
Difficulty - 7/10
FFVIII is fairly difficult. The Junctioning system can take ages to get
used to, the bosses can be tough, (warning for the last Boss: do not fight
it when Squall isn't strong enough!) and there are a lot of time limits,
but any good RPGer will find it easy enough. It's still getting a 7 though!
Warning: Not recommended for beginners.
Overall - 9/10
FFVIII is more of a serious game, there aren't as many fun side quests
and mini-games, but the fast-paced story will keep you hanging around
for more!
(By FFFreak)
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