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: #6577 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2000-09-29
• Platform: PlayStation

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

Epic RPG at its peak
The game the Final Fantasy hardcore hated.

I just can't see why. In my opinion this is on a par with personal favourite FF7. I got this on the day it came out and recently got it again for a bit of a nostalgia moment. The anticipation of this game, I'd been playing FF7 through and through for about a year and a half and just loved it, then when this appeared and I clicked on 'New Game' I knew it was a winner. The intro was amazingly dramatic, the music and visuals had been ramped up several notches. No more coloured polygons walking around, these actually looked like real people. The usual Square 'visit each location on the world map one by one ensuring that you go to a wintery place, a desert place etc etc' formula had been booted out the window, it was now the plot that drove your progress around the world. What a plot it was.

Squall, a young member of Garden, is on the brink of his SeeD exam. SeeD are essentially a bunch of child mercenaries that are hired out for help. He finds himself embroiled in a war against the aggressive nation of Galbadia and their Sorceress, Edea. Twists, turns and drama each step of the way as you go through Squalls first missions for Garden and discover a threat to the world that is greater than any could imagine. The squad mechanic of the game was something different too. Everyone in the party seems to get along fine, where Squall is a bit of a moody outsider ... over serious and introverted. It makes for an interesting gaming experience as you see the party of people gel together. It was fantastic to see your characters have different motives and personalities that involved. I loved the way that Zell starts off as a bit of a catastrophe but comes good in the end as a real solid addition to the team. You also have a fine rival in the shape of Seifer. The way the games story evolved and your characters grew took it way beyond what FF7 ever did.

The main quibble I had with the game is that the earlier fights could go on forever with the constant drawing of magic from bad guys (you don't NEED to do this, but if you've got a potential to get nice and powerful by sitting ripping magic from things, you'll do it won't you?) and also as it seemed to take an age to power up your party if you assigned them specific GFs rather than whacking them all on your current party. Ah yes, the GFs, I loved them in this game ... nothing beat summoning Shiva as she let fly a furious flurry of ice as your joypad rumbles away with joy. A real treat for the eyes.

All in all nothing of this detracted from my gameplaying experience. I just loved the way the story moved on, some really tense cliff hangers during the opening sequence of the game when you're off on your first SeeD mission. Forgive me for being vague but I don't want to reveal anything here that could spoil your enjoyment.

They don't make them like they used to.

One Word ... Amazing!
I have played ffvii to ffxi and i must say that VIII has got to be the best. I was amazed at 7 but when i played 8 i fell in love all over again! The storyline is great you are taken from a regular student to leading a war against the sorceresses, this is the first final fantasy game that allows you to actually feel how the characters are feeling whether this may be sadness or joy! The FMV sequences are brilliant and really stretch the capability of the PS1, you will see what i mean from the opening scene. It took me about 40hours to complete but even then there was still many side quests that i missed out on. Looks like il have to play it over again! If there is a final fantasy you want to buy make it this one, u wont be disappointed i promise!

Another Final Fantasy masterpiece
When I first got this game I didn't think it would be as good as the well known Final Fantasy VII, but I was wrong! Final Fantasy 8 is just another one of Squaresoft's stunning RPGs and there's so much to like about it! It's got a great plot, Cool characters, Breath taking FMV Sequences, A great battle mode,(and I really like the new Guardian Force system with old and new summons.) Even though the junction system can be be abit annoying, Final Fantasy VIII is still a gaming legend!