Eyes on Final Fantasy Forums > Final Fantasy: The Quickening > Final Fantasy VIII > Enough credit?

[Flying Mullet]

Bahamut2000X summed up most of my thoughts on FFVIII nicely.

The biggest reason I don't like FFVIII is everything in it feels like a chore, from obtaining cards playing Triple Triad(which I find boring) for item refinement to drawing magic from enemies then upgrading it, ad nauseum. I have no care to explore the world and the story feels like it relies on character clichés more than developing it's own unique cast, plot and feel. If a game lacks both an interesting story and fun exploration/item discovery system, there's nothing left in the game for me.

Yes, it does have some positives, but not enough to outweigh the negatives for me.

Also, FFVIII has the distinction of being the only game in the series I haven't finished(besides FFXII, which I'm still working on).

[Vivisteiner]

I think quite a few people thought some of the plot elements were unconvincing. Namely, the GFs causing memory loss and the huge whammy which is the Squall - Rinoa 'relationship.'

I thought the rest of the story was pretty good though. I do think it is overated.

[Bolivar]

VIII was doomed to get immense amounts of hate from the start. On one hand you had the prissy little SNES warriors who were infuriated at the popularity of VII, and it spilled over into VIII as well. Then you had the fans of FFVII, which was among many things, a story of revenge, who didn't want to see a story of teenage angst and love. Of course there were alot of people who played the earlier FF's, or FFVII, or even this one first and enjoyed it alot.

Then there was the fact that the gameplay, similar to FFXII, was misunderstood. I've seen alot of people (like spoony) who assume that you have to draw 99 of each spell for each character before moving on. In reality, that's like seeing the number next to "level" for each character in other FF's and assuming you have to get that to 99 before you can advance. You can draw a little here and there as you go and the experience makes for a much better one.

Up until maybe a year-year and a half ago I also thought the game was weak as hell. I thought junctioning was not only tedious but ineffective system for character development, and that Squall's relationship with Rinoa was completely unrealistic.

Well, I adopted the "draw as you go + refine" mentality and it made the game extremely playable. Also, when you take a second to think about the love story, honestly with an open mind, it is actually pretty damn realistic. I think it has one of the best stories in the series and possibly the best ending. The character development is very addictive and allows for you to make different party compositions each time you go back to replay it. As good as it is, I think yeah, it doesn't get enough credit. It's also notable in that the music really made a huge jump from the previous games. Some might not like the songs, but as far as sound quality, it was pretty noteworthy.

[Vincent Valentine 007]

Originally Posted by Flying Mullet ^

Bahamut2000X summed up most of my thoughts on FFVIII nicely.

The biggest reason I don't like FFVIII is everything in it feels like a chore, from obtaining cards playing Triple Triad(which I find boring) for item refinement to drawing magic from enemies then upgrading it, ad nauseum. I have no care to explore the world and the story feels like it relies on character clichés more than developing it's own unique cast, plot and feel. If a game lacks both an interesting story and fun exploration/item discovery system, there's nothing left in the game for me.

Yes, it does have some positives, but not enough to outweigh the negatives for me.

Also, FFVIII has the distinction of being the only game in the series I haven't finished(besides FFXII, which I'm still working on).

you dont have to play the card game now do you? as for people not liking to draw it just sounds lazy to me! how can you say the story isnt interesting?

[BG-57]

You might find the poll results for this thread interesting.

FFVIII happens to be my favorite next only to FFT. But it's not to everyone's taste.

[Flying Mullet]

Originally Posted by Vincent Valentine 007 ^

you dont have to play the card game now do you? as for people not liking to draw it just sounds lazy to me! how can you say the story isnt interesting?

Your response to my justifications is so articulated.

[NeoCracker]

FF VIII is the Victam of trying to do to much in one game. WAY, to much.

As a result, every kind of subplot mentioned is done halfassed, and isn't expanded upon.

GF Memory Loss for one. REally, did that even effect the game at all?
Oh wait, yes it does, it shows IRvine is a heartless bastard.

Note, he DIDN'T loose his memory like the others. And what happened when it was time to shoot edea? He didn't have a problem because she basically raised them, but because he didn't want to miss.

Any problems with this scenario?

[Vincent Valentine 007]

Originally Posted by Flying Mullet ^

Originally Posted by Vincent Valentine 007 ^

you dont have to play the card game now do you? as for people not liking to draw it just sounds lazy to me! how can you say the story isnt interesting?

Your response to my justifications is so articulated.

haha does it need to be? sometimes its better to say what you think without all the jargon.