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

True, FF7 incorporated guns and mecha, and so did FF6. In fact, all of the earlier FFs include advanced technology.

The twist they had was that they integrated it with classic fantasy. The worlds were still mainly low tech with the mecha a more exclusive portion.

Taking the FF7 example further, point out any civilization using this type of technology *without* the involvement of Shinra Corp. Classical fantasy with some mecha.

FF8 did the opposite - a mecha world incorporating some classic fantasy, and that just rubs me the wrong way. Every town has some sort of mecha-industrialization giving the whole world a very sterile, plain feel.

I did mention that particular point was a personal one, and more of a stumbling block in my interest and attention rather than an across the board point for all players. The other points are more global and effective towards any player not necessarily in sync with my view of the situation.

 

Yes, which is why I adore FF9 so much. After the trend seemed to get away from all the classic fantasy that I have loved from all of the early installments, 9 went back to FF's roots quite marvelously.

 

[QUOTEThe Gunblade was the best original main character weapon ever.[/quote]

...or the stupidest, depending on your view. "Let's put guns into our swords, yeah!"

To some degree. You could still insanely Junction your stats up and beat them easily. They only upgraded with character level.

Selphie was cute.

If "pimp" means unbalanced, I agree.

On this we disagree. I found that one of FF8's better points. I completely loathe RPGs that build up to a climactic battle only to throw a complete joke of a final boss at you (see FF6, FF7).

Of course I have. I have the complete collection, and own the game and played through it. As I said above, most of it seems unfinished or badly experimental. There are some very good ones in there, but overall, the music is weak.

On of the "disco" pieces, along with the boss music. Catchy, but very out of place. Anyone feel like dancing?

These were great, I agree. The better themes of FFVIII were off branched from two good main themes - Succession of Witches (Liberi Fatali), and Eyes on Me. Any offshoots were still great, but were nothing more than remixes or differing versions. And I always did like the Chocobo theme, though it's stayed pretty consistent since FF2, so it doesn't really count.

Examples of experimental-sounding pieces. Compression of Time just sounded awful (perhaps on purpose because of the area it features in), the town themes like Fisherman's Horizon were very sleepy, and the mission sounded like someone beating the heck out of a keyboard.

You could list the entire track names, and I wouldn't remember the sounds of many of them.

The "Boost system", IMO was a last minute option added when Square realized how annoying it was to sit through a GF CG. It solves nothing. Instead of watching a repeat movie, you end up playing "hammer the buttons". Not a great tradeoff.

As for "a lot more powerful", Boost doesn't have a great track record on that. How much higher than 100 have you ever gone? In fact, a poor Boost can weaken your attack.

Oh, right. The books. Big spending spree, here we go.

Because:
1) It saves me the trouble of trapsing all over the world looking for pieces of junk.
2) More weapon variety with the "buy out straight" games. A simple equipment change can happen, and often weapons have special properties attached. FF8 limited each character to one weapon, and one alone. And all that ever improved was straight power.

I already have something to do. A garden to save, a sorceress to kill, a woman to reclaim. Oh wait, let's put that all on hold while I see if I can find a few special bones to harden my gunblade.

Quite frankly, not everyone wants to have to side quest just to improve their weaponry. If it were an option, it probably would have been better received by me.

Yay. It goes back to "I'm training my characters" or "I need to level up". I loathe hearing those lines when it's unecessary. Leveling up and walking through every encounter as if it weren't there is not my idea of fun...but this complaint doesn't count as it's common in almost every CRPG.

Proof that there's really nothing to buy that's worth it.

"blehhhh" indeed.

 

Squall had very little to ever say. He had that *shrug* "whatever" deal with him. I don't hate him, but he isn't very memorable in personality.

I laughed at him insisting to be called "Leon" in KH. It seems hanging out with Yuffie loosened the guy up some.

Don't get the wrong impression. I like the game, and do play it from time to time. I just think it's on the lower rung in the FF series.

No, she just likes to ride on trains!

That was FF11, the Online game. Confusing FFXI with FFIX?
What happened with FF9 was that it was a surprise release. Every other Final Fantasy was advertised and hyped up, but with 9, very little info was let out until it actually released.

It's a plot of self-discovery, on many different fronts. No better or worse than any other FF plot (save FFXI, which I think is lax on plot being MMORPG).