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| Final Fantasy VIII Platform < PlayStation > Developer < SquareSoft > Publisher < Square / SCEA > |
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Second Opinion(s) What do you think of the game? Write your own review or discuss in forums. |
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In a word: "overrated." Alongside games like Tomb Raider and Resident Evil, Final Fantasy VIII (FF8) will go down in my book as one of the most overrated games of all-time. I'm convinced that if this role-playing game (RPG) did not bear the Final Fantasy moniker, it would have been universally panned as a poorly written obnoxious piece of CG fluff by the public and press alike.
As far as I'm concerned, there isn't much that goes right with FF8. The game gets off to a decent start with a mesmerizing introduction movie scored beautifully with orchestral music and computer-generated imagery that has become the hallmark of Squaresoft. The initial setups about an academy for elite soldiers are also intriguing. However, once past those opening moments and into the heart of the gameplay, it was all down hill for me. Once again we are graced with a cast of utterly predictable characters that perpetually wear their emotions on their sleeves and demonstrate a level of emotional angst more befitting the teeny-bobbers that populate WB network shows like Dawson's Creek and Roswell.I was consistently surprised at how obnoxious and annoying I found these characters (especially Rinoa). The characters werent the only uninspiring things about FF8 either. The gameplay isnt exactly anything to write home about. Most gamers have grown accustomed to the often-irrational conventions of the RPG genre, and FF8 is not different in that regard. Exploration mostly takes place from an overhead view and battles fall under the same turn-based format. I can accept that. What I cant accept is the ridiculous attribute setup known as the "Junction System." The most dedicated players may be able to decipher its near-incomprehensible logic, but that doesnt change the reality that its abnormally obtuse and an obvious attempt by developers to recycle material that should be reinvented, not regurgitated. As for the story of FF8, Ill say this: If you were in charge of a momentous operation involving the assassination on a high-ranking official, why on earth would you put the "fate of the world" in the unsteady and inexperienced hands of a bunch of greenhorns? This level of plotting and drama is insulting to my intelligence, and I felt it was characteristic of my experience with the game. Compounding all this were the Guardian Force attack animations that grew excessive and tiresome, and the flashback sequences became more tedious and disruptive toward the overall flow of the game. I finally said, "enough is enough," and said "I dont care how popular the series is or how revered its creator Hironobu Sakaguchi is. This game sucks!" RATING: 3.5Published: October 1, 1999
Seryoga says... I also liked the story's structure and pace. It felt truly epic and personal at the same time. So while FFVIII may not be a great "game" in the sense of gameplay, it's a great game for its story and the immersive experience that it provides. The "Ragnarok" scene alone makes this game my favorite Final Fantasy. RATING: 9.5 Low Emissions says... This is to date the best role-playing game (RPG) I've ever played. This game has it all: graphics, sound, game play, everything. I never got annoyed with the overly long Guardian Force attack animations, and I thought the characters were very interesting and easy to become attached to. Also, I truly do believe that the junction system was the best attribute setup that I've ever used in Final Fantasy games, and for that matter, many other similar RPGs. One thing that I never understood is how people like Chi can complain when even if you can't figure out the way it works you can simply press Auto and select either Attack, Defense, or Magic and the game will automatically configure it to the best options for your selection. So, in my opinion, the best Final Fantasy is the eighth one, and it's damn good, too. RATING: 9.5 ajrocksalot says... I had the funnest time with this game... as a freaking frisby. As a frisby it was pretty nice, but as a game it was pretty worthless. Its like squaresoft went into the bathroom and crapped out Final Fantasy 8. The weapon system and the level system is worthless. Why should we spend an hour trying to get every spell from every monster or we spend all of the game extremely weak.The only fun part was the card game which was lacking at best. The second you get the Ifrit card your invincible unless your a complete moron (like the idiot who wrote the storyline for this game)Overall I gave this game a better rating than it deserves. RATING: 1.5 Xiaphesius says... 250 words. I only need three, piece of crap. Here's the way I see it. I like the idea of magic junction, but they failed, I think the story could have been a great one, but again they failed. Personally I like to play my video games...not watch them. I feel that out of the entire process only 10% of the actual process was spent on story and character development and 90% on graphics. I'd rather play a game with and awesome story and snes graphics than one with great graphics and no story at all. RATING: 3.0 Purchases made through these links help support this web site.
Reader Second Opinions |
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