Video Games : Final Fantasy VIII

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from: Square Enix

: Final Fantasy VIII

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Amazon Maximum Age: 20 years
Amazon Minimum Age: 144 months
Binding: Video Game
Brand: Square Enix
EAN: 0662248999043
ESRB Age Rating: Teen
Feature: A revolutionary new Battle System has been created to add more customization to your characters by way of the Junction System. The latest features such as Dolby Surround Sound, Pocket Station compatibility and CG movie integration have also been incorporated into this masterpiece, making this title a showcase in technological game advancements. Format: PSX Genre: RPG (VG)/ Rating:&nbs
Label: Square Enix
Manufacturer: Square Enix
Manufacturer Minimum Age: 156 months
Model: 9758
Platform: PlayStation
Publisher: Square Enix
Release Date: June 30, 2003
Sales Rank: 134
Studio: Square Enix

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Editorial Review:

Product Description:
A revolutionary new Battle System has been created to add more customization to your characters by way of the Junction System. The latest features such as Dolby Surround Sound Pocket Station compatibility and CG movie integration have also been incorporated into this masterpiece making this title a showcase in technological game advancements.Format: PSX Genre: RPG (VG)/ Rating: T - Teen UPC: 662248999043 Manufacturer No: 9758

Editorial Review:
SquareSoft has always had a sure-fire hit when releasing any of their Final Fantasy titles, and Final Fantasy VIII should be no exception. The basis of a good RPG (role-playing game) has always been the story; spectacular graphics are secondary. Final Fantasy VIII's involved and interesting story line is filled with great twists, well-developed characters, suspense, and romance. As an added bonus, the graphics are beautiful. Everything--from the low-lit jazz club to the steam-filled railroad tunnels--is gorgeous and perfectly sets the mood and tone of a scene.

The game mechanics are standard fare for an RPG: acquisition of items and spells, turn-based combat, experience points earned in combat allowing advances in levels. From exploration to battles to dialogue, Final Fantasy VIII has it all. However, Final Fantasy VIII falls to that great weakness of RPGs: random battles. While necessary for advancing in levels, the battles occur with such frequency that they can grow annoying, making for a tedious game experience.

The epic storyline spans four discs--over 40 hours of gameplay--and is based around a mercenary cadet who finds himself caught up with an underground rebel faction. He winds up in a plot to assassinate the sorceress who has just seized power from the president.

You could complain of limited replay value, but this gripe is of no consequence: the game is such a satisfying experience, it doesn't require replay. Final Fantasy VIII is easily worth both the hype and the wait. You can't buy a much better game. --John Cocking

Pros: Cons:



Customer Reviews
Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - final fantasy 8 - review
I had fun with this one, the story is a classical final fantasy (although the pacing is a bit fast)and the characters are memorable. The combat system isn't as polished as most other final fantasy games and the magic system doesn't run on mp but the amount of spells you "draw" in it's a little akward and comstricting at times. However, dispite it's short comings it still is a good game and more casual gamer friendly since extensive training isn't reqiured to defeat hard bosses. I would recommend this title to any hard core final fantasy fan or more the less active gamer. P.S.Squall is hot!!!!!


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - Stepping out of the shadow.
Following a legend is never easy.....especially when that legend is considered by many to be the greatest RPG of all time. Even today, nearly twelve years after its release, Final Fantasy VII still receives all the accolades.....but Final Fantasy VIII does a tremendous job escaping the shadow of its predecessor. Let us take a closer look at the eighth installment in this best-selling series.

Story:

The star of this installment is Squall Leonhart, a student at Balamb Gardens, a military institution that trains people to become members of the internationally-revered mercenaries known as Seed. Final Fantasy VIII does have a unique plot - almost bizarre at times - but the further you advance in the game the more the plot unfolds into what one expects from the series. The game does take breaks from the main story as you play Laguna Loire, a soldier with ties to Squall and his companions.

Gameplay:

Final Fantasy is famous for its battle system and in VIII that system shines. Final Fantasy VIII introduces the gamer to GFs (Guardian Forces) GFs are VIII's version of summoning spells, but with one huge advancement - as the GFs advance in levels they learn abilities that can then be used by the character wielding it by ways of junctioning.....these abilities range from finding hidden save points to eating monsters. There is also another key addition to FFVIII's arsenal. In past Final Fantasies you would need to learn spells before being allowed to use them......in FFVIII, you can only use spells that you have drawn out of enemies. For instance, say you draw eight life spells from an enemy, you are then allowed to use the life spell eight times.....to use it again you must draw out more life spells. Spells can also be juntioned to your characters to boost stats. Example: Junction eight life spells to your HP and your HP will receive a boost. Weapons have also received a new feature.....no longer are you required to find weapons.....your weapons need to be upgraded by finding parts throughout the realm and applied to your starting weapon to become more powerful. But the best aspect of FFVIII is the Triple Triad - a card game that can be played after you obtained cards from various sources. You play by approaching NPCs and the rules vary depending where you are - each town has its own set of rules. The rewards are minimal, but it is fun to play.

Graphic and sound:

As ever, the graphics and sound are stunning, and when you consider that this game was released eight years ago for the PS1, you'll realize just how stunning they really are.

Final Thoughts:

So, was Final Fantasy VIII able to step out of its predecessor's shadow? It does so and then some. This is a great addition to the family that will keep even the most dedicated gamer busy for weeks.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - One of the Greatest Video Games of All Time
Final Fantasy VIII is quite possibly one of the greatest video games of all time. It is the follow up to the game that ushered in "modern" RPGs, and yet somehow it delivered beyond expectations. 8 brings the game closer to the target audience - a guy in school with a rival, a crush, a hot teacher, a best friend, and still retains the macro level "global" problems of FF7 (instead of the environment it's war), crashing into the everyday world of 6 special young adults. The game is responsible for bringing motion capture CG into the mainstream. Visually the game pushes the PS2 to the limits (and subsequently there was a regression with FF9's graphics) and like it or not the visuals are part of the experience. Great moments all around from Balamb Garden to the Ragnarok to playable time travel flashbacks. It turned a mini-game into a phenomenon (Triple Triad). All of this while its predecessor set the bar so high in so many areas. The narrative is actually easier to follow and is an improvement upon FF7. I didn't understand the Zack/Cloud relationship fully until Crisis Core to be honest... TEN YEARS LATER! People will always hate on FF8 because they just wanted the sequel to FF7 which typically is the first one they ever played.


Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - replenishing stolen library
Glad to finally get this one back. I used to have a huge collection of PS1 games but a little traveling mixed with friends who have slim wallets...well you get the idea.


Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Dont listen to really negative reviews about this game...
This may be a bit late but I just felt like putting it up after replaying this game on my PS3, the real reason most negative comments are from FF7 players is mainly because of things like the Junctioning system which takes some thinking to get it down the right way. When people say things like some parts are to hard or to easy it comes down to how smart you set up your junctioning system and alot of FF7 fanboys dont understand it and never use it throughout the whole game and rely on nothing but GFs to kill their enemies since they dont get they can Junction abilities to make Squall very powerfull and annilate enemies with a few hits , the game is actually very easy If you junction abilities the right way and you dont need money to progress really you get huge amounts of money you never use and really FF7 players dont understand the story either...lol I must admit its a bit complex but FF7 fans just say the story is horrible instead of figuring it out. I think FF7 players who really flame this game were hoping for something a little easier for them to understand and because they dont get all they do is just flame it.The story is actually quite beautiful away from the plot of Ultimicia. 5stars over all for the story. 4 stars for fun took one star out just because its sometimes hard to figure out your objective and spend time running back and forth from places if you arent listening to the dialogue it may take you awhile to figure out how to progress the story since nothing gives you hints on what to do.

By the way the game works perfect on the first PS3s released 40gigs and 60s I have no idea about the newer cheaper PS3s.

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