If Final Fantasy VII is the family’s attractive but bland member, then Final Fantasy VIII is thus the series’ pretty yet ADD-ridden junior. In other words, Final Fantasy VII is RPGdom’s Jessica Simpon to FF VIII’s oh-my-god-I-can’t-believe-she-is-even-worse-yet-she-sells-like-pancakes Ashley Simpson; for FF VIII manages to pick up each and every of the flaws that made FF VII mediocre. Where to begin? If FF VII’s characters were dangerously similar to one another in battle, then FF VIII’s drones are clones pumped out from Xerox machines. There is absolutely no statistical difference whatsoever between them, aside from their “special moves”, which happen too seldom for them to be considered relevant. Since magic is “drawn”, every character has practically unlimited access to it, thus decreasing the strategic potential even further. Not content with disposing of the weapon-armor scheme of yore in FF VII, VIII actually sins further by eliminating armor completely and therefore, the last recidue of possible costumization on part of the player. Weapons are a joke, as there are barely any and shops do little more that sell phoenix downs, vanishing as a consequence any real use for money in the game. In spite of all the aforementioned deficencies the game shows, there is a main flaw which renders the game practically unplayable: it’s unreasonably unbalanced. The game revolves around a summoning system that supposedly is more fleshed out than any other before it: Summoned creatures actually take a part in the game, and they are much stronger, as they can be customized. Since they require no magic, they can be summoned indefinetely during battle. The consequences are easily foreseeable: Summons are incredibly strong, offer no penalty for the player if he is to choose its continous use and they are convinient; hence: one could finish the game with summoned monsters alone. Given that, early on, you aquire the ability to boost the summoned creature’s attack by tapping the square button during its animation, it doesn’t take long for the game to turn into a mash-a-ton, a far cry from the finesse of IV and VI. Sad days indeed for RPG gamers. I’ll go as far as to say that this game is unworthy of its name.
Other Helpful Reviews for Final Fantasy VIII (Platinum)
First off, everyone was so pleased about final fantasy VII, that they never dreamed of anything better. Then comes Final Fantasy VIII VIII improved on everything that could have been improved in the previous installment... Read Full Review
Square's (now SquareEnix) into 3D RPGs was one of the greatest things to ever happen to them and to RPGs. Their entry into 3D RPGs was their game called Final Fantasy VII. This game was revolutionary in every way, from t... Read Full Review
