Final Fantasy VIII | Cheerful Ghost

Final Fantasy VIII Remastered is Beautiful!

Azurephile gives this an astounding "Must Play" on the Ghost Scale

This achieves something special, and it would be a shame to miss it.

Azurephile gives this a "Must Play" on the Ghost Scale

This achieves something special, and it would be a shame to miss it.

Final Fantasy VIII is my ultimate, most favorite Final Fantasy of them all. I was introduced to it and the series about 20 years ago and I fell deeply in love with it. I don't know how many times I've completed this game, but I remember when I'd play it annually. Now, it's been remastered and the game looks beautiful! Check them embedded video that will show you the difference (between this and the original) to see for yourself. I haven't completed the game in this play through yet, but I feel like it deserves a strong recommendation (from one of FFVIII's biggest fans).

Aside from some upgraded and now beautiful textures, one slight difference between this and the... Read All Final Fantasy VIII is my ultimate, most favorite Final Fantasy of them all. I was introduced to it and the series about 20 years ago and I fell deeply in love with it. I don't know how many times I've completed this game, but I remember when I'd play it annually. Now, it's been remastered and the game looks beautiful! Check them embedded video that will show you the difference (between this and the original) to see for yourself. I haven't completed the game in this play through yet, but I feel like it deserves a strong recommendation (from one of FFVIII's biggest fans).

Aside from some upgraded and now beautiful textures, one slight difference between this and the original (the other version you'll find on Steam) is Chocobo World. I never played this until I played that other Steam version, because I didn't have the extra accessory to play it on the PS1. However, if you're looking for Chocobo World here, you're not going to find it, or at least I'm quite sure of that.

The game does have it's own launcher, kind of. It's fine though, it gives you a chance to tinker with some settings. One thing that this version does include, that was also included in the original Steam version, is a few cheats. You can significantly increase the game speed and turn off random encounters, for instance. I haven't used these and I don't really plan to, but it's still nice to have them.

If you love Final Fantasy VIII, you should definitely check this out. Even though this game hasn't gotten a "remake," having a "remastered" version is still great. I'm so glad my favorite Final Fantasy game got a face lift, it gave me a great reason to play it again!

The embedded video does show some of the negatives, such as lack of rumble and analog support. FPS was also mentioned and attributed to input lag, but as I've been playing, Squall's limit break seems normal.

What do you think about this? Is FFVIII one of your favorites? Are you glad it got remastered? Would you like to see a remake? Feel free to comment!

Final Fantasy VIII Remastered!

I think this was already reported on here during the E3 stuff, but it's come more to my attention due to a friend sharing info with me on Facebook. At first, I ignored this news. I thought it was just for the Switch (which I may still get) and I believed that the Steam version was "remastered." But, it seems I was incorrect (please correct me if I'm wrong). I played it a few years ago on Steam and didn't have a problem with it, it looked fine to me. Although, I must admit, I never really complained about the graphics. I know the non-FMV stuff wasn't perfect, but kind of blocky/not smooth, but that never affected the love I have for this game. Apparently the "remake"... Read All

Travis Admin wrote on 07/29/2019 at 02:40am

The version currently on Steam is basically just a port with a few QoL features. The graphic upgrades in this remaster are VERY noticeable and help a lot. Much of the original Playstation's library hasn't aged well, and this is a fresh coat of paint that makes it more accessible. I probably don't care one way or the other about it honestly. Remake treatment I'd be more interested in, but while this is very cool, it's not something I really need to enjoy that game. Unless it's crazy cheap. Then maybe

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 07/29/2019 at 04:02am

Yeah, I think I feel like you. I absolutely love this game, I don't care if it looks like it did on the PS1, that doesn't change how much I love it. It might be nice to play the remastered version, though. I might check it out, we'll see.

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 08/20/2019 at 04:13am

A new trailer has been released with a launch date! Sept. 3. https://youtu.be/JbTcLwqheao

I don't think I have a stronger emotional bond with any game that even comes close to matching the one I have with this game. The music makes my hair stand on end and makes my eyes water. I wonder if I will ever care with how it looks compared to more modern games. It will always have a very special piece of my heart. It certainly brings back now old memories!

I liked something I saw earlier that the remake pretty much puts an end to a funny meme. If you're not familiar with it, you can check it out here: https://memebase.cheezburger.com/tag/final-fantasy-viii I think it's a pretty funny meme actually.

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Final Fantasy VIII Steam Review

Azurephile gives this an astounding "Must Play" on the Ghost Scale

This achieves something special, and it would be a shame to miss it.

Azurephile gives this a "Must Play" on the Ghost Scale

This achieves something special, and it would be a shame to miss it.

Review

Recommended

Updated graphics

Achievements, cheat tool, and Chocobo World

*Note this post was written before the Remastered version, so it's about the first Steam game, not the second*

It was about 15-17 years ago that I was introduced to Final Fantasy VIII, which was my introduction to the Final Fantasy series. It's kind of hard to believe it was that long ago, but since then I've come to love Final Fantasy games. FFVIII is definitely my favorite among them, I immediately fell in love with nearly everything about it including the characters, stories, side quests, music, and more.

The Junction system is one of the main things that sets this game apart from the... Read All

jdodson Admin wrote on 02/02/2016 at 03:27am

One day a couple weeks ago I saw Greg playing this on Steam and one of the selections for your Steam friends is to watch them play the game. It basically kicks the game into streaming mode and I watched him play for a bit. This is a cool feature and the game looked like fun.

That said, the section of the game seemed to have a grey and brown ascetic something I haven't before seen in a Final Fantasy game.

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 02/02/2016 at 05:16am

I was surprised that you began to watch me play. I didn't know that was possible. I had just finished one of the discs and was controlling characters from the past while you watched me play. It was a rather calm part of the game. I didn't really want to give too many spoilers. I also didn't want to bore you by constantly drawing spells I needed. I did try to summon a couple of GFs to show you what they are like. Thanks for joining me!

jdodson Admin wrote on 02/03/2016 at 04:46pm

No problem, it was awesome Steam lets you share your gameplay with friends. It's nice because you don't have to a full blown twitch stream but your friends can watch if they want.

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Final Fantasy VIII: You can't go home again.

Final Fantasy VIII was one of my favorites in its era. If you had asked me about it last year, I'd have said it was the last "true" Final Fantasy; Final Fantasy 9 was a fond retrospective of the era and Final Fantasy X began the decidedly inferior era of "modern" Final Fantasies. I'd have also contended that "as goes Final Fantasy, so goes the RPG industry," so to say True Final Fantasy is tantamount to saying True RPG. What makes a True RPG? Here's what I'd have told you:

A True RPG uses stats-based combat, and player skill is represented only by strategy in selecting orders.
A True RPG gives you choices in where to go next. Corollary: the tutorial phase of the game is... Read All Final Fantasy VIII was one of my favorites in its era. If you had asked me about it last year, I'd have said it was the last "true" Final Fantasy; Final Fantasy 9 was a fond retrospective of the era and Final Fantasy X began the decidedly inferior era of "modern" Final Fantasies. I'd have also contended that "as goes Final Fantasy, so goes the RPG industry," so to say True Final Fantasy is tantamount to saying True RPG. What makes a True RPG? Here's what I'd have told you:

A True RPG uses stats-based combat, and player skill is represented only by strategy in selecting orders.
A True RPG gives you choices in where to go next. Corollary: the tutorial phase of the game is only over when you can meaningfully choose where to go next.
A True RPG rewards curiosity and exploration; some of the game's finest treasures will be had by finding something secret.
A True RPG has a compelling story; you should want to finish the game in the same way you want to see the end of a movie.

There are more (I've got opinions), but these are the interesting ones for the purposes of this writeup. These are some of the ways I'd have insisted that FFVIII shines.... but on my last playthrough, I realized that the game actually fails to deliver on all counts.

I've often derided FFX for being an "RPG on Rails" - until the very end of the game, your path is literally one-dimensional; you can go forwards or backwards. Same with FFXIII. I couldn't shake the feeling that "tutorial mode" persisted right up to the end of the fourth disc. But FFVIII does the same thing - you don't actually get a choice of where to go next until the middle of disc 2, and once you *are* given that choice, you really only have two options: sidequest city that you have NO REASON TO KNOW EXISTS, and next plot point. You can also find a Chocobo Forest, which doesn't help you because by the time you get there you have land transportation covered.

Rewarding exploration? Not so much. You can find magic draw points, but your magic caps out pretty quick. Or, you can get cards, which refine into items, which refine into magic. There are a couple of Guardian Forces you can find in the wild, but they're either obvious or they're so hidden as to nearly be easter eggs; they don't reward exploration nearly as much as they reward buying the official strategy guide (which was the thing you did Back Then™).

As far as the story goes, it's obviously a subjective call. All I can really say is that if your story hinges around a high school that teaches its students to fight with personally styled weapons, the heroes all have amnesia and the villainess is a time traveller, then you'll have an easier time impressing 19-year-old Mark than 33-year-old Mark.

Ultimately, I think I was really playing the game I expected it to be, and not the game as it actually was - like, I believed that I could explore, so I didn't notice I couldn't. I'll be interested to see how Skyrim holds up for me in 15 years. Has anybody else here experienced this kind of thing? I'm curious how common this actually is.

Travis Admin wrote on 02/19/2014 at 10:11pm

Speaking of strategy guides, the one for FFIX pissed me off so bad. Here's a brief idea of what you'll be doing. For the rest, go visit playonline.com.

Which of course doesn't exist in the same form anymore so the guide is basically useless.

Timogorgon Member wrote on 02/19/2014 at 10:41pm

HA! I see I'm not the only one who hates the FF9 strategy guide. Even when PlayOnline was up and running it was still largely worthless. Worst. Guide. Ever. It was so bad I quit buying strategy guides for good after that one.
FF8 is one of the few Final fantasy games I have never played. My friends loved it, but whenever I'd see them playing the game it just never caught my attention. When I saw they released it on Steam I got curious though, and considered picking it up, but it sounds like I am still probably fine not playing it.

CapnCurry Supporter Post Author wrote on 02/20/2014 at 12:41am

Oh, wow! The Strategy Guide that Killed the Industry. I forgot about that. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. Surely somebody should have realized that the only reason I'm buying your book and not going to Game Faqs is that the Internet wasn't in the same room as my game console and I'm a lazy bastard, right?

I remember they made the argument that no, no, they're not trying to boost their web traffic, they're trying to avoid spoilers in the book.

Come *on*. We all know that there's no such thing as a "strategy" for getting through an RPG that fills a book. You're selling a thorough description of the game world so that I don't miss any secrets. Spoilers are your *product*, you don't get to leave them out of your book. What's next, you sell me an empty carton of yogurt because you're pretty sure I didn't want that milk, it was old and had bacteria in it?

jdodson Admin wrote on 02/20/2014 at 03:45am

Hahahahaha totally. The last few game guides I bought were for Fallout 3 GoTY & Zelda Twilight Princess.

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