Square Enix I don't see why alot of people don't like Final Fantasy VIII (8)

Plus it allowed you to reach level 100. The other thing I see about this game that people didn't like is the fact that monsters DO get stronger as you do...but most of them get blown in the dust after reaching a certain level. It'd make it MUCH more interesting if the big worms and those little fly things still gave you a smidge of trouble when you're level 70. ^_^

The draw system was also a huge drawback in that it was slow. Especially trying to go with the low-level/high-junction tactic. It took me about two hours to draw enough of Pain to be effective. And don't even get me started on the Ultima spells.

Plus the junction system made the game really unfair to those who took the time to fill it. Ultra-power comes really easy. Hehehe.

Still, I *loved* this game. It was fun, and I can closely associate with Squall. It's probably the second best Final Fantasy I've played. That, and I like the fact that it's completely possible to go through the WHOLE game without gaining more than two levels. ^_^

 

I actually really enjoyed this game, but I sucked at cards.

 

I'm surprised no one has yet to mention that ridiculous "Salary" system. Not only does it encourage to take the game as fast as possible, but it seems that the time intervals are choppy as all get out.

Sometimes I'd get my salary within 20 minutes of each other...and other times, I'd swear it was an hour or two before I had enough money to buy all the magazines at Esthar.

It was kinda cute in a really annoying way to have those quizzes too. It's the only time in a normally-paced game that you can hear more about the story. And that's only because sometimes, you have to read those articles in "Info" to get all of them right, so you can get paid more.

Plus the painful Boost technique, in which you hold down select and madly press the Square button to empower your GF's summon. Painful to my index finger, to say the least!

But, it's home to my FAVORITE summon in any FF series so far! Doomtrain!!!! ALL ABOARD THE CRAZY TRAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! With all the abilities it has, I *bet* you that the Osbournes are in there somewhere, smokin' out. ^_^

 

1.) You kinda fill that in yourself. If not, then, look at some of the "clues" given. That and Ward and Kiros drop more than a few unsubtle hints. As far as that, everything else is inferred.

2.) Ultimecia is juat a power hungry sorceress, but her hate for SeeD seems to stem from the fact that they were created to stop sorceress'.

3.) She just wants to rule with total power, hence the reason she wants to compress time.

4.) The Faeries that Laguna refers to is the dream sequences that Squall has. Whenever the "Faeries" visit, notice that all the junctions for the characters that went back are the same. Like, all of Squall's Junctions are on Laguna. Laguna says himself (or was it Kiros?) that they feel stronger and watched over during those times. Thank Elle for that.

5.) Memories are...memories. *shrug*. Maybe you can tell me what part you're talking about...

 

Why FFVIII is one of my least favorite Final Fantasy Games

1) Unbalanced Magic System. There is nothing limiting your magical capabilities beyond what you have drawn in stock, and what you find.

In previous games, you typically were limited by MP, meaning there was more strategy over what spells you cast. The more powerful ones would quickly reduce what points you had, meaning they had consequences for using to readily.

In FF8, you can stock up 100 Ultimas by just spending time on it, and unleash them all in one battle if need be - and still fall back on the countless other magics you have.

Junctioning goes hand in hand with this. By stocking up insane amounts of high-level magic, you can very easily skyrocket your abilities.

2) No Individuality. Since everything revolves around GFs and the Draw system, one character is about as unique as the next. A very quick Junction Exchange creates a near duplicate clone. I find this as a drawback, as the individual skills of a character are typically what makes them more defined and fleshed out. I'm very partial to individuality, which is also why FF VI's magic system didn't appeal to me, either.

3) "Let's Show Off Our CG!" Square spent millions on the FF Movie because the CG was to the detail level of realism. It was a big flashy showoff. FF VIII seemed like that to me.

Case in Point - the GFs. Each and every time you summon, you have to sit through a two-minute scene of them appearing and attacking. No option to speed or skip it. You have to watch. Don't get me wrong, these are dazzling and beautiful scenes...the first two or three times. After that, it becomes a chore. And sure, Boost is an argument against that, but it doesn't make up for it at all...

4) Future Fantasy. Never been a fan of guns and mechas, but a big fan of medieval and magic. While technology was well-balanced with fantasy in the previous seven installments, FF VIII went all out into a high-tech world. Maybe this is a personal point, but I can't stand how boring things seem when it aims for more realism than fantasy.

5) Not Nobuo's Finest. The music is lacking as well. The tunes and range of instruments are always either too radical or bland, and a lot of the music is far from memorable - even annoying at times. Nobuo Uematsu's previous works are far more enjoyable compositions.

6) Who needs to shop? Money is regulated and given at timed intervals, which restricts what you can buy. Not too bad, though, considering there really isn't many useful things to spend that Gil on. Books, item, and Junk are the only items - no armor, no actual weapons (only tuneups), accesories, helmets, bracers, nada.

7) Recycled Encounters. Since monsters have three varied levels, the design of FF VIII seems to use this as an excuse to re-use them at various points of the game instead of giving you new opponents. While I support the use of varied monster abilities to provide challenge, this solution is not ideal. The only time I've seen this well-handeled has been in the boss encounters of the Lunar series. FF VII seems more concerned at getting the most use out of what limited creature base it has.