Final Fantasy VIII Remastered Review (PS4)
Introduction
This is a remaster of Final Fantasy VIII, developed by DotEmu and Access Games, as well as being published by Square Enix. This game has new character models, some gameplay changes, as well as Trophy support.
Story
Squall goes to spar with Seifer, his rival. However, both of them are injured during the spar. Squall is then tasked to complete his field exam, and then goes to a mission to defeat the Galbadian army in Dollet. After he joins SeeD, he goes to a mission along with his friends Zell and Selphie. Little did they know that they are going to journey to defeat a sorceress, who happens to be controlling the Galbadian army.
Story is good, but not great. However, too many events developed or ended unnaturally, making the story flow unevenly and resulting to weak storytelling. For example, the orphanage scene could be handled better, and the true villain has poorly explained background story. However, the romance subplots and Laguna flashback sequences are well-done.
Although the story has flaws, many characters in this game are quite memorable due to their interactions and designs. Squall, Rinoa, Laguna, and Edea are the best characters in this game, having good character development and exposition. Unfortunately, not all characters have proper exposition and development like them, especially Irvine, Zell, Fujin, Raijin, Seifer and most of all, the true villain in the game.
Gameplay
This is an RPG game, where you will be controlling Squall most of the times. As Squall, you will be exploring a variety of locale in order to stop the Sorceress's plans. As usual for many RPGs, you will need to trigger story scenes by going to certain areas, complete dungeons, and etc. There are also minigames to be completed during story progression as well as some puzzles.
During exploring dungeons and towns, you can explore around to talk to NPCs, buy items, as well as play the Triple Triad card game. You may also inspect objects as well as Draw Points for stocking up magic. Outside of dungeons, you will be in the World Map where you can travel from one location to another. However, random encounters will occur in World Map like many other dungeons.
This game has no traditional equipment system, as Squall and the party members will only equip a weapon and no armour pieces. However, this game introduces the Junction System, where you can assign certain magic on your stats to make it stronger. However, in order to do so, a character needs o equip a GF, and the GF needs to have the required abilities in order for you to assign a magic to increase a stat. Weapons can be remodeled into newer or older models by spending money and certain materials.
Enemies are fought either in random encounters or fixed encounters in story sections. Random encounters are usually triggered by running around in World Map or dungeons. The battle system uses ATB, where a character's ATB gauge fills up and you can take actions, such as using physical attacks or magic. Enemies have their own ATB as well, so take caution.
By equipping GFs, you can also assign new commands to your characters. For example, the Magic command allows a character to use magic, and Draw command allows you to draw and stock enemes' magic stock. Enemies come in different variety, and they have their own list of dropped items, Magic that you can stock, as well as stats. Defeating enemies in random encounters will reward you experience points and Ability Points (AP), as well as items occasionally.
Good overall gameplay, but there are factors that prevent it from being great, such as the flawed Magic and Draw integration, level scaling issues, divisive Junction system and lack of specialised characters. However, this is a unique Final Fantasy game in gameplay standpoint, so it is still worth a try.
Graphics
The new character models for human characters and monsters look really great. However, the pre-rendered backgrounds don't look particularly great. It is still a great effort, however.
Sound
This game has excellent soundtrack. Many memorable themes that are reused to great effect. Personally, this game has one of my favourite video game soundtracks ever. Sound effects are great too.
It should be noted however, that there is a bug that change the music in certain scenes to the MIDI version, which was patched recently.
Replay Value
This game has high replay value. You may attempt to play this game without gaining levels, playing solo character playthroughs, collect all cards, find all GFs, and etc.
Conclusion
This is the black sheep of the Final Fantasy series. It has an interesting lore, good gameplay, good remastered graphics, and good dialogue. However, it is not easy to recommend this game to new RPG fans due to it's divisive Junction system, level scaling, and other factors. It is still worth playing, regardless. This is still my favourite Final Fantasy game, but I still recommend it to players to watch the gameplay videos before trying out this game.
Score
Story: 7/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 8/10
Sound: 10/10
Final Score: 8.25/10 or 33/40.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Interesting lore.
- Laguna's story is the highlight.
- Good character developments for Squall and Rinoa.
- Good new character models.
- High replay value.
- Excellent soundtrack.
Cons
- Present story is weak.
- Many undeveloped characters.
- Divisive quality of the graphical remaster, especially the new human character models.
- Divisive Junction system.
- Divisive enemy level scaling system.
**Screenshots are from official PlayStation game page and US PlayStation Store page.
This is a remaster of Final Fantasy VIII, developed by DotEmu and Access Games, as well as being published by Square Enix. This game has new character models, some gameplay changes, as well as Trophy support.
Story
Squall is a Balamb Garden who strives to become an elite mercenary of SeeD.
Story is good, but not great. However, too many events developed or ended unnaturally, making the story flow unevenly and resulting to weak storytelling. For example, the orphanage scene could be handled better, and the true villain has poorly explained background story. However, the romance subplots and Laguna flashback sequences are well-done.
Although the story has flaws, many characters in this game are quite memorable due to their interactions and designs. Squall, Rinoa, Laguna, and Edea are the best characters in this game, having good character development and exposition. Unfortunately, not all characters have proper exposition and development like them, especially Irvine, Zell, Fujin, Raijin, Seifer and most of all, the true villain in the game.
Gameplay
Equip GFs to use a variety of commands and to strengthen your party members.
During exploring dungeons and towns, you can explore around to talk to NPCs, buy items, as well as play the Triple Triad card game. You may also inspect objects as well as Draw Points for stocking up magic. Outside of dungeons, you will be in the World Map where you can travel from one location to another. However, random encounters will occur in World Map like many other dungeons.
This game has no traditional equipment system, as Squall and the party members will only equip a weapon and no armour pieces. However, this game introduces the Junction System, where you can assign certain magic on your stats to make it stronger. However, in order to do so, a character needs o equip a GF, and the GF needs to have the required abilities in order for you to assign a magic to increase a stat. Weapons can be remodeled into newer or older models by spending money and certain materials.
Enemies are fought either in random encounters or fixed encounters in story sections. Random encounters are usually triggered by running around in World Map or dungeons. The battle system uses ATB, where a character's ATB gauge fills up and you can take actions, such as using physical attacks or magic. Enemies have their own ATB as well, so take caution.
By equipping GFs, you can also assign new commands to your characters. For example, the Magic command allows a character to use magic, and Draw command allows you to draw and stock enemes' magic stock. Enemies come in different variety, and they have their own list of dropped items, Magic that you can stock, as well as stats. Defeating enemies in random encounters will reward you experience points and Ability Points (AP), as well as items occasionally.
Good overall gameplay, but there are factors that prevent it from being great, such as the flawed Magic and Draw integration, level scaling issues, divisive Junction system and lack of specialised characters. However, this is a unique Final Fantasy game in gameplay standpoint, so it is still worth a try.
Graphics
New character models for characters and monsters.
Sound
Excellent soundtrack and sound effects.
It should be noted however, that there is a bug that change the music in certain scenes to the MIDI version, which was patched recently.
Replay Value
High replay value.
Conclusion
Divisive game, but still my favourite Final Fantasy game.
Score
Story: 7/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 8/10
Sound: 10/10
Final Score: 8.25/10 or 33/40.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Interesting lore.
- Laguna's story is the highlight.
- Good character developments for Squall and Rinoa.
- Good new character models.
- High replay value.
- Excellent soundtrack.
Cons
- Present story is weak.
- Many undeveloped characters.
- Divisive quality of the graphical remaster, especially the new human character models.
- Divisive Junction system.
- Divisive enemy level scaling system.
**Screenshots are from official PlayStation game page and US PlayStation Store page.
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