Synopsis
Final Fantasy VIII is a further development of the RPG engine seen in its series predecessor Final Fantasy VII, and comprises three main modes of play: the world map screen, a fully 3D visual display where the player may navigate freely across the scaled-down gameworld; the environment field map screen, consisting of one or more 2D pre-drawn backgrounds that serve to represent a location such as a town, with overlaid 3D characters under player control; and the battle map screen, a fully 3D visual of a discrete location such as a street or room, where a fight between the player and enemy parties takes place. A menu-driven interface drives the mechanics of the game, and it is in these that various departures from previous Final Fantasy games become apparent, most notably in the lessened emphasis on traditional weapons and armor, and in the Junction magic system. Final Fantasy VIII was also the first game in the series to introduce a collectible cards-based minigame, known as "Triple Triad."
As in Final Fantasy VII, every character has a unique special attack called a desperation move that is only available during battle under certain conditions. Where the system differs from the previous game's use of "Limit Breaks," however, is that they randomly become available every time a command is issued during battle, provided that character's current health (hit points, or HP) is below 32% of their current maximum health. As a character's health depletes further below 32% of their maximum, the probability of accessing that character's desperation move increases. Alternatively, the magic spell "Aura" increases the probability of desperation moves appearing regardless of a character's remaining hit points.
In the original Japanese version of the game, these moves were called "Special Arts"—shortened to "Special" in the Status Menu—and were renamed "Desperation Moves" in the North American, European and Australian versions.
As in most role-playing games — and in most previous installments of the Final Fantasy series — experience points are awarded following successful battles. If 1000 experience points are accumulated by a character, that character gains a "level", which increases that character's base statistics. Unlike previous Final Fantasy games, however, the levels of randomly encountered enemies are calculated based on the current levels of the player's characters. In other words, the higher the levels of the player's characters, the higher the levels of the randomly encountered enemies the player battles. Higher level enemies are capable of dealing out—and receiving—significantly more damage, and may have newer and stronger attacks available as well. It's notable, however, that increases in a character's stats as a result of "leveling-up" are minuscule in comparison to the stat boosts available through exploitation of the Junction system. Some players take advantage of this fact to avoid leveling up, allowing their characters to get stronger as better magic and Junction abilities become available while enemies remain weak.
The Guardian Forces themselves also gain levels and win Ability Points (AP). AP is allocated to allow Guardian Forces to learn special abilities. When a GF has gained the required amount of AP to learn a specific ability, that ability becomes available for any character — and, in some cases, the character party as a whole — to use. Also of note is that when a GF is frequently summoned by the same character, it will take less time for said character to call the GF in the future. Additionally, when GFs that have learned the "Boost" ability are summoned, the player will be given the opportunity to increase the potency of the GF's attack. By holding down the "Select" button on the PlayStation controller while rapidly hitting the "Square" button, a number in the lower right hand corner of the screen will increase, representing the increase in the power of the GF's attack. Note that not all GFs have this ability, however.
Source: Wikipedia - Final Fantasy VIII
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Information
Developer: Squaresoft
Platform: PlayStation, PC
Medium: CD / 4 Discs
Publisher:
 Square
 Square EA
 EA
Release Dates:
February 11, 1999
September 7, 1999
September 29, 2000
Box Art
- US -
- Japan -
- Europe -
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