This game has always been a blind spot in my Final Fantasy history. From 7 onwards I played every non-mmo entry but I missed out on 8 because of a faulty PlayStation.
After the juggernaut success of 7, 8 is a much more thoughtfully paced story that takes some time to really get going. It's not perfect, the junction system in particular providing many annoyances along the way, but the story told is up there with the best of the series.
The love story between Squall and Rinoa is endearing and one of the best of the series and despite the game not quite being as good as 7, it's still one I'm glad I returned to.
After the juggernaut success of 7, 8 is a much more thoughtfully paced story that takes some time to really get going. It's not perfect, the junction system in particular providing many annoyances along the way, but the story told is up there with the best of the series.
The love story between Squall and Rinoa is endearing and one of the best of the series and despite the game not quite being as good as 7, it's still one I'm glad I returned to.
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 "remaster" is hot garbage. No analogue movement or rumble, no AI upscaling on the blurry prerendered backgrounds, and censorship.
Parece um jogo legal, não sou chegado em final fantasy então dropei... Mas pra quem é fã eu creio que deve sim jogar pra ver se gosta, eu testei e o início e bem parado, mas acho que fica melhor depois
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.