GUN SWORD.

One of the few turn-based RPGs I've seen to completion. Perhaps it was the junction magic system, or the Triad mini-game, or the blockbuster in-game music and cutscenes. But I think there is something very, very true to the FF8 creepypasta about Squall's current... state. Within the highly internalized narratives of RPGs, it's a crazy disturbing subtext that crazy works, and the game sticks with me as a result.

The dialog comes off as awkward and unnatural, the plot is a total mess, and the junction system is tedious to grind for. On the other hand, the game is still visually interesting, especially around the final levels. I was never into Triple Triad, but I could see the appeal in that mini-game, which was far better than any of the mini-games in FFVII.

An ambitious but uneven RPG with a killer soundtrack (Liberi Fatali!), gorgeous cutscenes, and Squall’s "...whatever" charm. The Junction system is innovative but grindy, and the story veers into soap-opera absurdity (amnesia? Time compression?).

Mechanically the game is a little disjointed - junctioning is wonky and a few boss fights notwithstanding, most fights are somewhat flat. Thematically, this is possibly one of the most engrossing worlds Squaresoft ever published and its soundtrack is easily one of the greatest works of game audio ever made. Overall, some areas are a slog but the dark, abstract, and often times humorously cliche story is well worth a play through.

JUNCTION MY ASS *20 page tutorial about how to junction ass comes up*

Pretty splendid in its heyday.

I expected more.

An amazing world with beautiful towns soaking in atmosphere enhanced by an incredibly strong soundtrack. Cool missions that really nail the feeling of being involved in a large scale battle or attack on a city. The card game implemented throughout the game is arguably the greatest minigame in history. Sadly all this good stuff is let down by a weak battle system, slowed down by unskipppable summons, the easily broken junction system, the unlikeable main cast and utter mess of a story.

This was my first FF title so it will always be my favorite.

A nice story with a proper mindfuck ending, good gameplay, okay characters, one of the best FF soundtracks. But the Junction System is terrible: I literally stop myself from revisiting this because when I'm about to I realize how badly I hate that a FF encourages me not to use magic. So I don't know what to rate it. I don't want to fail it but then I don't want to play it anymore. I'll give it an 80 because the rest of it is really good.

So, so bad. In some games I can ignore the plot to focus on the gameplay (Valkyria Chronicles), but here the plot seems to be the main "attraction". Sorry, I'm not twelve years old anymore, I can't suffer through this nonsense.

This is among the best the venerable franchise has to offer. Final Fantasy VIII took the trends the series was known for and added new spins to each one. The summoning, the magic system, the weapons. All of it. To terrific effect. All in service to a story more than worthy of four discs.

I love the story and it will always be one of my favourite FFs for many reasons. Anyway, I have to recognize that gameplay is not one of the best, though the junction system is a good idea it's not that nicely done and it's quite easy to have overpowered characters. I love the story and the characters though some elements at the end could have been better.

I rented this from Hollywood Video when it came out and it changed my life

On one hand characters don't look like mutants from FF7 anymore, on the other it's FF combat at its worse. 95% of the fights end up in just summoning GFs and mashing square button like crazy.

My favourite Final Fantasy game. The junction system, which lets you swap abilities in and out and pair magic with character stats in order to improve them, is versatile and fun to use. The story isn't the best, but the contemporary-but-fantastical world feels real and the characters are relatable, which lends a weight to the proceedings that not many games have. FF8 also contains the best mini-game in the entirety of videogame history: the Triple Triad card game.