A remaster of Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered retains its original 4:3 aspect ratio in both FMVs and real-time graphic rendering but features graphical enhancements as well as options to customise the gameplay experience and difficulty.
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My partner I have tackled yet another game. Our very first Final Fantasy together. One that we both tried in the past but couldn't get past the tutorial screen.
So how did it stack up once we actually played it?
Final Fantasy VIII (FF8) probably had a lot to live up to after Final Fantasy 7 and for me, this game sits up in it's own high place amongst RPG's.
It does things differently from most RPG's that I found truly fascinating. It features a mechanic called Junction which is essentially adding summons to your abilities thus making you stronger. It even puts levelling to shame. It's actually recommended to do AS little levelling as possible in this game. Which is very anti RPG.
So combat isn't as necessary here. Which is sadly the games biggest drawback and only one that I have.
Combat is essentially won via summoning Guardian Forces (GF's lmao) and it basically makes the combat encounters time consuming due to how easy they are and how simple it is to win.
While the combat felt like a quick easy trip, the story itself is anything but which is why I can excuse easy combat if you Junction well for intense story that had me and A, absolutely begging for more night after night.
Squall is the main lead here and is basically the typical "I'm a jerk with no feelings" but grows on you. I honestly thought I wouldn't fall for a character like this again buuuuuut they did a fantastic job at creating a well fleshed out character with genuine emotions.
There is one particular scene at the end of disc 2 that is possibly one of my favourite video game scenes of all time.
I think that's what FF8 does really well. It is so insanely bonkers all throughout and it just hits each note so fantastically.
The entire games themes is to have faith in others and to allow yourself to be open. Which hits hard in all of the characters stories. Like any RPG, the characters are what you should love most and this is especially true here. Squall is supported with a great range of companions both in and outside of the main party. Choosing companions felt important when we went seperate ways. I cared for their well being and wanted to desperately know more about each one of them.
Overall I absolutely adored this game, clearly. I think it's character's are written so incredibly well. The story is engaging and leaves you questioning and screaming for answers. Whilst the combat is underwhelming due to a broken in game system, I think the strong drive to move foward does overshadow that.
So how did it stack up once we actually played it?
Final Fantasy VIII (FF8) probably had a lot to live up to after Final Fantasy 7 and for me, this game sits up in it's own high place amongst RPG's.
It does things differently from most RPG's that I found truly fascinating. It features a mechanic called Junction which is essentially adding summons to your abilities thus making you stronger. It even puts levelling to shame. It's actually recommended to do AS little levelling as possible in this game. Which is very anti RPG.
So combat isn't as necessary here. Which is sadly the games biggest drawback and only one that I have.
Combat is essentially won via summoning Guardian Forces (GF's lmao) and it basically makes the combat encounters time consuming due to how easy they are and how simple it is to win.
While the combat felt like a quick easy trip, the story itself is anything but which is why I can excuse easy combat if you Junction well for intense story that had me and A, absolutely begging for more night after night.
Squall is the main lead here and is basically the typical "I'm a jerk with no feelings" but grows on you. I honestly thought I wouldn't fall for a character like this again buuuuuut they did a fantastic job at creating a well fleshed out character with genuine emotions.
There is one particular scene at the end of disc 2 that is possibly one of my favourite video game scenes of all time.
I think that's what FF8 does really well. It is so insanely bonkers all throughout and it just hits each note so fantastically.
The entire games themes is to have faith in others and to allow yourself to be open. Which hits hard in all of the characters stories. Like any RPG, the characters are what you should love most and this is especially true here. Squall is supported with a great range of companions both in and outside of the main party. Choosing companions felt important when we went seperate ways. I cared for their well being and wanted to desperately know more about each one of them.
Overall I absolutely adored this game, clearly. I think it's character's are written so incredibly well. The story is engaging and leaves you questioning and screaming for answers. Whilst the combat is underwhelming due to a broken in game system, I think the strong drive to move foward does overshadow that.
This game has quite a few good things and bad things.
The ost is amazing, one of the best in the saga.
The graphics are considerably improved over the previous game and it has the best secondary card minigame.
BUT
The junction system is very bad and completely broken.
The characters are very flat and empty and the story is bad. It had potential but they play with timelines and there are many plot holes.
From the end of disc 1 the game stops making sense.
The ost is amazing, one of the best in the saga.
The graphics are considerably improved over the previous game and it has the best secondary card minigame.
BUT
The junction system is very bad and completely broken.
The characters are very flat and empty and the story is bad. It had potential but they play with timelines and there are many plot holes.
From the end of disc 1 the game stops making sense.
This "remaster" is hot garbage. No analogue movement or rumble, no AI upscaling on the blurry prerendered backgrounds, and censorship.
hey, you… come here… mhm, just a little closer… husshhh… it's okay, I'm here…
Here, let me hold you…
See? Doesn't that feel better?
Gooood game〜 yeah, you are! Gooood game〜
Hehe, I see that little smile! D'aww, don't hide it from me! Don't be fussy, it's okay…
Score: 9/10
Here, let me hold you…
See? Doesn't that feel better?
Gooood game〜 yeah, you are! Gooood game〜
Hehe, I see that little smile! D'aww, don't hide it from me! Don't be fussy, it's okay…
Score: 9/10
Greatest Final Fantasy game don't @ me
I don't even have anything to say about this game, really. It's just great vibes.
I loved the characters and the humour. I liked the stupidly convoluted, batshit story. It honestly has some of the most hype cutscenes and set pieces I've seen in this franchise. I liked the unique battle system and the Junctioning function to switch up your gameplay style as needed.
I will say, I'm actually surprised we never got a Laguna spin-off game. He was definitely my favourite character in the game and I would love to see more of his (mis)adventures.
I loved the characters and the humour. I liked the stupidly convoluted, batshit story. It honestly has some of the most hype cutscenes and set pieces I've seen in this franchise. I liked the unique battle system and the Junctioning function to switch up your gameplay style as needed.
I will say, I'm actually surprised we never got a Laguna spin-off game. He was definitely my favourite character in the game and I would love to see more of his (mis)adventures.