A challenging and rewarding adventure...
Written: Feb 09 '06 (Updated Feb 10 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Amazing storyline, cutting edge graphics, a vast world to explore
Cons: Awkward battle/magic system, no money for battles, monsters level-up with you
The Bottom Line: Despite the flaws, this game is still rewarding, and is enjoyable till it's end. If you are looking to play a truly worth-while game, then look no further.
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| l4h4002's Full Review: Final Fantasy VIII for PlayStation 1 |
Think of a fairy tale that will never come true, and then think of this game. They are virtually the same. Final Fantasy VIII is the tale of a love story... a love story that, infact, can only happen on your television screen or in a book. A beautiful, sensitive, gorgeous lady doesn't fall in love with an egotistic, self-centered jerk, it just doesn't happen. Well, I guess now you can tell that I'm not too enthused about this game. However, despite from what I've just mentioned, the story is one of the best parts. It may be unrealistic, but it is quite the adventure. The CG cinemas are awe-inspiring, the characters are interesting to listen to, and the music is superb quality. Be prepared for a five star movie, except this time you will be playing it.
Storyline: 5/5
This is, admittedly, one of the best parts of the game. Infact, everyone knows that Final Fantasy would be nothing without its great stories. The story in this game revolves around a young lad named Squall, who is signing up to join a military force, appropriately named SeeD. While they are in training, they live in the "Garden". Coincidence? I think not. However, just like in previous games, the story grows into something much larger. This peaceful manner eventually turns into a battle between the SeeDs and an evil sorceress named Edea. This sorceress is far more powerful than the watchful eye can tell, and the battle grows into an all out war. However, there is a secret behind her that I will not reveal, which completely turns the plot around. But back to the original story, there are actually two sets of characters throughout of the game. The first set befriends Squall to accompany him on his missions, while the second set appears only in his dreams. Utilizing their imagination to the fullest, Square manages to bring these two groups together, in a way no one would imagine, for one heckuva story.
Gameplay: 3/5
Unfortunately, new things are not always for the best. This game is a perfect example of that. As per usual of an RPG, monsters roam the grass and deserts everywhere. However, there is not much use for them, because as you gain power, so do they. Even the bosses grow in strength with you. It helps to level up, but is definitely not necessary. However, aside from that, there is a system called the "Junction System" that might quite be the most annoying, and complex, system I've ever experienced in an RPG. Infact, I still don't understand it, and I've beaten the game. Basically, during the game, you will collect Guardian Forces, which will be your summons. When equipped, they allow you to "junction" magic to your character, usually in your favor. For instance, if you have a variety of "Fire" spells, and you happen to have the right GF, it is possible for you to be immune to fire. This might seem cool, but there is a catch. You will eventually want to use these spells. And the more you use them, the less immune you'll be, sad to say. Which leads me to the magic system. I hope you're persistent, because magic is not permanent in this game. Instead, you acquire it through draw points found all over the world, and by drawing it from random monsters. So, let's say you run out of "Fira" spells and you need some more. You would first have to find a monster that had them in stock, and then you would draw the spells, receiving at the most around 10 per turn, trying to stay alive at the same time. This has caused many gamers, including me, to fall asleep while trying to gain magic, and that can lead to quite a bit of frustration in the end. Needless to say, the gameplay is not one of my favored parts of this game.
Money system: 2.5/5
I am creating a section for this because it is so awkward and unjustly to the game, it deserves its own section. Gone are the days of collecting money after you defeat an enemy or boss. In Final Fantasy VIII, you have a salary. You see, being in a military position, Squall is labeled as a rank. You take a test at the beginning of the game to see what rank you will acquire. This, of course, also determines your starting salary. You gain your salary on a timed basis throughout the game, just like in real life. An incentive, which I actually enjoyed, is that you can take quizzes to improve your rank and, thus, raise your income. It would be quite a nice system if that was all there was to it. But of course, there's more. Depending on your actions in the game, your salary will increase or decrease. If you run around a lot, even just leveling up, your rank will automatically go down. If you make a mistake on a mission, your rank will go down. Infact, if you decide you want to just find out some info. and you stay in a town a little longer than planned, your rank will go down. You get the point? I, personally, like to talk to people, and level up a lot. And due to this, at the end of the game, my rank had dropped below where it had started, and I was making almost no money. This system is asking people to rush through the game, and not enjoy it, and that is a major flaw. It's creative, I admit, but definitely one of the worst ideas Square has come up with.
Graphics: 5/5
For a playstation game, Final Fantasy VIII holds some the best cinemas I have seen, even rivaling some PS2 games. The characters look almost real, and this whole game is almost like watching a movie. The cut-scenes are gorgeous, and they definitely don't make themselves scarce. Without the awe-inspiring graphics, this game would be nothing. From the first time you see Rinoa to the breath taking ending, the graphics never fail to impress. If there is one thing Square did right in this game, it is the graphics and the cinemas. One can't help but fall in love with the story, while they view these incredible moments in the game. It creates an experience like no other. And when I say graphics, I don't just mean the cut-scenes, I mean everything. The characters still look real, even while just playing the game. Well, as real as polygons can look anyway. You can see every detail about them, from Squall's sword to the scar on Seifer's face. Square paid extra attention to this aspect of the game, and I commend them on that.
Music: 5/5
The music only makes this game that much better. Excellent quality, and it fits with the game perfectly. Nobou Uematsu is an absolute genius, and he shows it in every single game he works with. There will be moments where you will want to cry, there will be moments where you want to laugh, and there will be moments you just want to drop your jaw in amaze. Put together with the breath-taking cinemas, the music creates a feel that you will want to experience again and again. The orchestrated songs are amazing, ranging from the tearful and heartbreaking songs of Rinoa and Squall, to the cheerful and uplifting town music of Fisherman's Horizon. The songs in this game are some of the best songs in videogame history, and deserved to be recognized. Heck, I have kept my save file from the beginning of every disc just so I could go back and hear the music. If you want an awesome soundtrack, check out this game.
Overall: 4/5
Wow, what a great movie. Yes, I said movie, because the cinemas were awesome, and the gameplay just didn't cut it.. So why not make it into a movie instead? I have to give Square credit for trying, but they just did not pull through this time. I hated drawing magic from the monsters, or searching the world over, trying to find a hidden draw point, to get some magic that was actually useful against the bosses later in the game. And I absolutely despised losing money just because I wanted to talk to some people, or level up a little - which I might add is pointless, since the monsters level up with you. Everything about the gameplay is wrong, but Square did bring us on one heckuva adventure with the story, and it is not one I'll forget anytime soon.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
l4h4002
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Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
I love to play the keyboard, write my own music, and I also enjoy acting...
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