Final Fantasy VIII Review

Final Fantasy VIII

I'm going to be very straightforward here: I'm an extremely hard reviewer. If you really like this game and you see something in here that you completely disagree with, don't get upset or feel awkward when playing your cherished game. The controversial world of gaming is full of differing opinions, and you have a right to your own. The following is riddled with my mostly facts from the game and has very few opinions within the total text.

This entire page contains several SPOILERS. Consider yourself warned.

Content : 10/10

Final Fantasy VIII, a powerful love story, is the first Final Fantasy (to my knowledge) to base its entirety on the love between the two main characters and their trials and tribulations.

Everything that is done is done for a purpose, and the plot moves steadily forward to a spectacular ending.

I can’t really complain about anything. Everybody complains about the characters. They make so many comparisons to Final Fantasy VII and I don’t understand most of them. They’re said without much reason or validation behind their words.

The game was excellently done, and I was awestruck with every passing gaming moment.

Sound : 10/10

Wow, there was a HUGE improvement from Final Fantasy VII to Final Fantasy VIII . I’m very impressed. Eyes on Me was so beautiful… It even had lyrics, too!

I really can’t complain with any of the songs, not even the world map one. The pizzicato on that song was excellently done and the theme well-portrayed the feelings of the main character, Squall.

My favorite songs from the game were Eyes on Me, Griever, Liberi Fatali, Fithis Lusec Wecos Winosec, My Mind, The Oath, Force Your Way, Balamb Town, The Battle Theme (they used a symphony!), Chocobo’s Theme, and The X-treme. They were all so good! Nobuo may have used Eyes on Me two or three times, but he made sure that only a few lines from the main theme were used in other songs. Well done, Nobuo Uematsu!

Graphics : 9.8/10

It feels strange to give perfect 10’s for Content and Sound and not give a perfect 10 for graphics, too. I only give it a 9.8 because the character’s faces were kinda scrunched up in the normal graphics, and when the characters were going down a ladder or something their clothing went inside another character!

The FMVs, however, were gorgeous. The FMVs were the best that I’ve ever seen on a PSX and, in my opinion, still rivals those of Final Fantasy X.

Great character design, too. Edea, Ultimecia, Adel (despite the fact that I’m unsure if she’s a transvestite or not), Laguna, Squall, and Rinoa look extra-cool! Don’t forget the GFs, either. They looked awesome. Incredible CG Arts by Square.

Battle : 9.2/10

I truly loved the improved battle system in this game. Battles were so much fun, but there sure did pop up everywhere! I didn’t want to run away, either, because the game kept track of that.

The Junction system was better than that of the previous Final Fantasies (the ones I played, at least). Although having to draw all that magic took a whole lot of time, being able to cast the magic was really helpful.

GFs sure were cool, but some of them took a lot of time. I didn’t really use them, though.

Excellent battle system.

Skill Factor : 9.7/10

This game was never easy for me, not even when I had the Pro-Strategy Guide, (well, it was dramatically easier, but not stupid-easy) but I’m very aware that the game could be really easy. That’s why it didn’t get a perfect 10.

GFs could be constantly used, making the battles easy. Some big bosses could be easily beaten, too, with Squall’s Lionheart Limit Break. You just had to be MASSIVELY lucky, which I certainly am not.

Tough game. It could be easy, but not for the traditional gamers.

Overall : 9.9/10 (Not an average of the previous scores)

I’m so impressed with this game. It totally blew me away. After playing Final Fantasy VII for so long and being so, well, uninterested altogether, discovering Final Fantasy VIII was like a breath of fresh air.

Two thumbs way, way up for Final Fantasy VIII !

I may add more later.

Love it or hate it, tell me what you thought about my review and/or the game!