With the help of the information on re:tokyo, we are going to explain the Guardian Force system that will be used in the upcoming Final Fantasy VIII. A warning to all that go beyond this point: there are spoilers galore, so be sure that you want to see all of this. Now that that's out of the way, let's go over the Guardian Force and what it entails...
The Role of The Beasts
The Guardian Force system is more than a mere way to summon creatures. It has many special characteristics that make it completely different from the other Final Fantasy games. First, when a monster is summoned, the Hit Points of the character that summoned it are exchanged with the monster's. The monster then takes all of the damage while in action, instead of the character. Summoned monsters can level up as well, gaining special abilities along the way that can be used by the character they guard.
The Junction System
The Junction System is quite unique, allowing players to combine weapons, armor, or themselves with magic or GFs. Doing this allows for special bonuses on attack and defense, unlocks new abilities for the characters, the GFs, the menus, and the party as a whole. Because of the sheer amount of characters, GFs, and spells in the game, there are millions of possibilities to explore. It is unknown whether or not there will be a limit to how many different abilities can be learned and/or used by each character with this system, but it is probable that each character could learn any ability, as was the case in Final Fantasy VI, with the Magicite system, and even more so in Final Fantasy VII, in which any character could learn any spell or ability except for Limit Breaks.
The Guardians
Here are some of the Guardians and their abilities:
Ifrit
Special Abilities: Charge (Command Ability), Alignment Attack Junction (Junction Ability), Creation of fire spells (Menu Ability)
Ifrit's attack is called Hellfire, where he sends fire from the heavens onto your opponents.
Shiva
Special Abilities: Death Sentence (Command Ability), Magic Defense +10% (Character Ability), Creation of Ice Spells (Menu Ability)
Shiva's attack is dubbed Diamond Dust, which inflicts freezing damage on all enemies. The attack is said to be so powerful that it can freeze lava.
Alexander
Special Abilities: Raise (Command Ability), Alignment Attack Junction (Junction Ability), Pharmaceutical Knowledge (Menu Ability)
Alexander's attack is called Divine Judgement, which summons holy light to destroy evil enemies.
Quetzalcoatl
Special Abilities: Magic Power +10% (Character Ability), Magic Junction (Junction Ability), Creation of Lightning Spells (Menu Ability)
Q's attack, Thunderstorm, sends a concentrated lightning bolt down to fry a single enemy.
Cochocobo
Special Abilities: None
Apart from Choco Fire, the starting attack for this PocketStation-raised critter, other attacks may be learned as well depending on the care given to it.
Cerberoth
Special Abilities: Agility Junction (Junction Ability), Creation of Time Spells, (Menu Ability), Alert (Party Ability)
Cerberoth's Counterstrike Gas allows players to cast three spells simultaneously in the same round.
The Demonic Siblings Minotaurus And Secreto
Special Abilities: Defend (Command Ability), Shield (Character Ability), HP Junction (Junction Ability)
Minotaurus and Secreto play a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors to start Brotherly Honor. After the older brother wins (by cheating, of course), he kicks Secreto into the air, who then falls on the enemies.
Siren
Special Abilities: Treatment (Command Ability), ST Drug Creation (Menu Ability), Add Elemental Defense Junction (Junction Ability)
Siren's Silent Voice Attack silences the enemy and takes away a few HP as well.
Pandemonium
Special Abilities: Agility +20% (Character Ability), First Strike (Character Ability), Agility Junction (Junction Ability)
Pandemonium's Wild Wind Warning unleashes itself from the tail of this wacky beast, blowing over groups of enemies and causing major damage.
Carbunckle
Special Abilities: Counter (Character Ability), Magic Power Junction (Junction Ability), Creation of Healing Drugs (Menu Ability)
Carbunckle unleashes Ruby Light across your party, casting Rflect on all members.
Bahamut
Special Abilities: Walking HP Recovery (Character Ability), Ability x 4 (Junction Ability), Creation of Forbidden Spells (Menu Ability)
Megaflare. It simply sounds painful, doesn't it? Yes, the big dog's back, and with firepower that could wipe out a Midwestern state.
Remember, that this is only a partial listing of the Guardian Force Creatures. As soon as we get Final Fantasy VIII in (which should be tomorrow or the next day), we'll show off some more Guardians.