Great RPG, very creative and way more than just merely point and shoot. (UPDATED)
Written: Apr 27 '04 (Updated May 18 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Creative design, highly detailed environments(backgrounds more use). Lots of CG movies.
Cons: Has some flaws in the game. Drawing system of magic takes forever depending on issues.
The Bottom Line: This game is packed with secrets to be uncovered, action, lots of puzzles. This game does contain some flaws. It is well detailed, has great music and sound.
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| morris64468's Full Review: Final Fantasy VIII for PlayStation 1 |
The plot was understandable (for me anyways), packed with action, customize your characters (level them up to become stronger, use magic to make them more efficient in different areas, like defense, speed, ect.), fight, fight, and fight some more to level up your characters. Lots of spells, items, and abilities. Tons of bosses. FOUR DISCS LONG !!!! Lots of CG Movies, GREAT DETAIL especially the backgrounds. The ending was around 30 minutes long. You get the best detail on every environment, go into every room, talk to every person, buy/sell/make items. Get GFs (Guardian Forces) monsters that power your characters up. Call them out to destroy enemies as many times as you want.
You start out as Squall Leonheart, a guy (considered by many as a lone wolf, due to his need for privacy and doing things on his own, the thinking that he doesn't need the help from others, also he is known for his anti-socialness). He goes to a school located in a Fantasy world, where they train and learn the basics and the extent to war in their world. They train to be SeeD's or the elite from the gardens (training schools). Squall goes to a garden called Balamb located next to a town called that, where one of the main character's family well sort of (Zell's adopted family). There is about three or four gardens (forgive me, it has been a little while), you can train in their training center, check out a book (never do check it back in though). Play a few thousand card games (very addicting). (Which can have a point to playing, one of the GF's has an ability to transform a card into an item). It can be used to get some of the hardest items to find early on in the game to make the stronger weapons.
Story: You are Squall Leonheart, in the beginning CG (computer generated) movie you see many people, his rival, Seifer Almasy, you both share the same type of weapon, gunblade. Seifer is known for his inability to take orders and control his temper. To tell you all a little about of the other main characters, Zell Dincht is an honest and dedicated man, weapon: glove. He has been training to be like his grandfather, a soldier. He is best known for doing something (fight or whatever) before thinking the situation through or at all. Riona is a young women who has that mystery touch on people's hearts including Squalls. Her weapon: blaster edge, oddly enough her special involves her dog, Angelo. She speaks her mind without reservation, and is known as open and honest who can be a bit difficult to deal with at times. (She ends up as Squall's boyfriend, in my opinion she dated Seifer at some time but I'm not completely for sure.) Quistis Trepe known as one of the instructors at Balamb, the youngest in fact, around the age of 18. She seems to be a little sleezy at times with Squall. For some reasons she seems to depressed most of the game. Her weapon: chain whip, can use blue magic (abilities learned from monsters). Selphie Tilmitt seems to be out of place in this school due to her innocent appearance, (seems to been eating too much sugar, if you ask me). She has the "laid back" type of mindset all the time. Her weapon: Nunchaku, think nun chucks. Irvine Kinneas considers himself lone wolf also and "Best Shooter in Garden." At first glance he seems to be also "laid back," but actually he's very sensitive and serious. He likes to accompany women, women and sharp shooting are his major passions. Weapon: of course, gun. (He can obtain different types of ammo). Laguna Loire former soldier turned journalist or writer. Leader of his group of three including him during the game. His mistress died in a car accident I believe, he takes care of his (daughter?, my guess), weapon: machine gun. Kiros Seagill formily served in the Galbadian army. Has a good working relationship with Languna (former leader). Seems to be more complicated than Ward, weapon: katal. Ward Zabac is a very large guy who is always tough talking. Not someone to make mad, but good friends with Kiros and Laguna, weapon: harpoon. Edea inherited the soceress power at some time in her life. She is the headmaster's (Cid, the well known character from previous Final Fantasy games) wife. Cid is the headmaster of Balamb Garden.
Final Fantasy VIII's gameplay is pretty simple, explore the first environment, learn what is going on, reach a new area find a way through stratergy to next point in the game, explore, and so forth, while battling against, bosses, monsters, and other enemies to make each character you have, stronger and learning new abilities. Explore all the areas in this game to unfold all this game's secrets and hidden prizes. Drawing system of magic (i believe was not necessary, takes a long time). was annoying but worth the wait as that 100 spells of a certain magic, which when the abilities are earned are put under a part of character like HP (health points) defense (magic and physical) speed, and so forth. But later in the game you can GF's to make magic from items. There is also items with the same effects as magic spells. Like meteroid stone for instance.
You will be able to draw magic in bigger numbers up to nine at a time when your level is higher and you have a higher number in a particaler thing (I let you find it out for yourself).
Limit breaks, closely before a character is about to fall due low HP, her/his HP number turns yellow in warning, letting you know you can use their limit break, an arrow will appear next to attack and press over to reveal to special(s). Use the circle button to switch between characters to make arrow appear on weakened characters. There is also a magic spell that will allow a charcter to use limit break when their character is well and healthy.
Chocobo forests (for all that don't know what a chocobo is, it is a giant bird) If you find a forest (there is around 7 or so forest you can find.) There is a puzzle in every forest and are rated on difficulty. If you solve it or pay the kid gil, (type of currency in Final Fantasy games). Once you got a chocobo you can search for items in the forest or use it for transportation.
I think that's it ... The manuel covers all the basics so make sure you read through a couple of times for a better understanding of this game. Don't expect to learn and understand everything the first time through. It took me 2 times completely through the game before I completely understood the story's plot and elements of the gameplay and had it all mastered.
Thanks for Reading, I hope you have a better understanding of this game, if not I'm sorry for the time wasted.
Make sure you have a good day, stay calm.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
morris64468
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Location: Maryville, Missouri, United States
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Young lad whose family originated from England, possibly wanting to be game tester.
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