Product Description

This latest instalment to the best-selling Final Fantasy series incorporates the theme of love into an RPG story-line of epic proportions. The Final Fantasy VIII world comes to life in a dazzling display of digital artistry as lifelike characters and seamlessly integrated CG animation are enhanced with Dolby Surround Sound technology. With Analogue Controller (Dual Shock) and PocketStation compatibility.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1755 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2000-09-29
• Platform: PlayStation
• Number of items: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
SquareSoft has always had a sure-fire hit when releasing any of their Final Fantasy titles, and Final Fantasy VIII should be no exception. The basis of a good RPG (role-playing game) has always been the story; spectacular graphics are secondary. Final Fantasy VIII's, involved and interesting storyline is filled with great twists, well-developed characters, suspense and romance. As an added bonus, the graphics are beautiful. Everything--from the low-lit jazz club to the steam-filled railroad tunnels--is gorgeous and perfectly sets the mood and tone of a scene.

The game mechanics are standard fare for an RPG: acquisition of items and spells, turn-based combat, experience points earned in combat allowing advances in levels. From exploration to battles to dialogue, Final Fantasy VIII has it all. However, Final Fantasy VIII falls to that great weakness of RPGs: random battles. While necessary for advancing in levels, the battles occur with such frequency that they can grow annoying, making for a tedious game experience.

The epic storyline spans four discs--over 40 hours of gameplay--and is based around a mercenary cadet who finds himself caught up with an underground rebel faction. He winds up in a plot to assassinate the sorceress who has just seized power from the president.

You could complain of limited replay value, but this gripe is of no consequence; the game is such a satisfying experience, it doesn't require replay. Final Fantasy VIII is easily worth both the hype and the wait. You can't buy a much better game. --John Cocking

Manufacturer's Description
In Final Fantasy VIII's nameless world, soldier training schools known as Gardens exist. The privately owned Gardens are unrelated to any government or military organisations, although they make their money from sending their graduates to join military forces the world over. However, each Garden also has special squads known as SeeD, formed from groups of graduates chosen for having abilities beyond those required for standard military duty.

At the Balemb Garden Military Academy, a new SeeD cadet called Squall Leonhart is quickly earning himself a reputation as an overly serious loner with the other recruits. That is, he does until he encounters Rinoa Heartilly, a beautiful free-spirited girl who forces him to question his own anti-social ways. Unfortunately, before he has time to dwell on these thoughts, his squad is called into action to deal with the nation of Galbadia who have become increasingly hostile of late. Is this irrational behaviour connected to the mysterious sorceress that has recently been seen with the country's president?

So begins a tale of love, war, friendship and self discovery that captures the high drama of a film with stunning CG cinematics and combines them with an exceptional RPG experience in true Final Fantasy tradition. The innovative Junction System places the development of the various characters under your control as you determine how their magical abilities will evolve and improve throughout the game, essential for victory over the legion of enemies you will encounter on your journeys.

This, the second Final Fantasy title for PSone, is a seriously worthy addition to the series that offers an emotionally charged storyline, memorable characters and scintillatingly deep gameplay.

Customer Reviews

Greatest Game of all time
I remember when my parents bought me this game for christmas about 10 years ago. At first I had no idea what was going on but after much perserverence it all came together and I completly knew what was happening and I dedicated as much time as possible to unravelling the excellent story which takes about 70 hours to completly finish and is the greatest story I have ever came across in a game. The visuals are a pre-rendered making them very pretty to look at and the soundtrack is as epic as usual thanks to Uematsu. If you have the ability to play this game and haven't i would strongly advise getting it.

The best FF game ever!
I played this game when it was released...a good years ago.
However, in my opinion is still is one o the best RPG I've ever played.

This game is the greatest achievement of the series!
When i first saw ff8 all those years ago i thought little of it. It was just another game my bro played. But then i played it and couldnt get enough! I mean the fact this game is nearly impossible to get 100% on is one of the main reasons i kept playing! The story is excellent, characters are brilliant and the overall objective is something to be desired. I dont care what others think but 4 me ff8 is the one game no other can replace.