Final Fantasy VIII: Fainaru fantajî VIII (1999) (VG)

User Rating:

8.8/10   

Director:

Yoshinori Kitase

Writer:

Kazushige Nojima (scenario director)

Release Date:

9 September 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Fantasy | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

The chequered destiny of two men who continuously plunge their mighty souls into battle...

Plot:

A group of mercenaries rescue a mysterious girl, who some say is the sorceress who wants to govern the universe.

Plot Keywords:

Sorceress | Military Academy | Final Fantasy | Time Travel | Missile

Awards:

1 win

Also Known As:

FF8 (USA) (short title)
Final Fantasy 8 (USA) (alternative spelling)
Final Fantasy VIII (International: English title)

Country:

Japan

Language:

English | Japanese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:12 | France:-12 | USA:T

Company:

Square Company

Trivia:

The Quistis card is the only character card in the game whose picture faces to the right.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Squall: I'll be here... I'll be 'waiting' here... I'll be waiting for you, so... If you come here... You'll find me... I promise...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Kingdom Hearts II (2005) (VG)

Soundtrack:

Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec

A Treasure of Humanity.

Nearly 6 years ago, I got FF8 as my 1999 Christmas present, because I saw a review giving it 95/100 - the magazine is still in my room. I have completed FF7, and I love that as much, but 8 is something that I love beyond measure. The characters, the story, the beautiful locations from Winhill to Esthar... the word masterpiece has never been so strong.

The music is astonishing - Liberi Fatali is as haunting as it is awesome, and Eyes On Me is the most beautiful love song I have ever heard. The 'camera shots' are perfect - unlike in FF10/FF10-2 (which I love too, don't get me wrong) instead of the close-ups/cuts, they chose to have to whole scene and stay that way - if you look, there are hardly any cuts, and it adds to the real feeling of being there.

Again, the locations feel like my second homes to me now. Balamb Garden is the school I always wanted to attend. Timber is so sweet and quaint that it's cool. If I ever become a multi-millionaire, I will build a replica of Winhill and live there, it's enough to make me cry. And Esthar is amazing, incredible.

Of course, the Gameplay is essential, and utterly complex and powerful, challenging and fun. Very deep and pure, complementing the story perfectly.

The set pieces are brilliant - the SeeD exam, the Garden war, the Space sequences, the Lunatic Pandora... and Ultimecia's Castle gives me chills whenever I see it.

Final Fantasy 8 goes beyond gaming, and becomes your life. My hat is off.