Few Questions about FF8...

[Del Boy]

Considering playing this.. I played it some years ago briefly but didnt really get into it.

Questions:

1) is it actually worth playing in regards to the story?
2) why are the graphics worse than FF7?
3) How hard is this game on a scale of 1-10?
4) How long did it take you to beat it (first play through) ?


Thanks

 

[Shaissa]

1. If you like a big Romance story, this is a great story filled with love between two people. If you are not into a love story then no don't play it.

2. They graphics are not worse per-say it's there first real attempt at 3D modeling without the cartoonish blocking of what FFVII did (remember FFVII was going be on the N64 before they flipped to the Playstation) besides that the AMV's are way better in VIII than VII.

3. Just the straight story I would say 6.5 first time playing it, if you wanna do the side quest and the hardest bosses I would put it up to an 8 or even a 9. Mainly cause the GF system is one that is one to get use to, and it takes time to really get your characters to the best that they can be.

4. The first time...it has been a while..but... 50-60 hours?

 

[Exoskeleton]

Considering playing this.. I played it some years ago briefly but didnt really get into it.

Questions:

1) is it actually worth playing in regards to the story?
2) why are the graphics worse than FF7?
3) How hard is this game on a scale of 1-10?
4) How long did it take you to beat it (first play through) ?


Thanks

1.That depends on your taste in story. This particular FF is known for it's theme of romance and one ridiculous plot twist. Overall I liked the story. It depends on what you like though. A lot of people tend to give up on it before playing it through but I've noticed that those who do play through it tend to enjoy themselves. It's just another FF game of course the story is somewhat enjoyable. In comparison to the recent FF games this one is much better storywise. It's main themes are fate and romance.

2. Unless your vision is pretty hazy, the graphics are much better than VII. Have you seen FFVIII graphics in comparison to VIIs or no? The FMVs, the shading, and character models are much more detailed than the polygonal, anime styled FFVII.

3. There is no scale as it depends on the player's playstyle. It's easy for me, but hard for many others. The monsters and bosses level up with you so there is no need to grind. However you may find it difficult if you haven't taken time to figure out the junction system and what magic you can junction/equip to maximize your effectiveness. Again it's all in how you play.

4. Since I focused on doing everything first playthrough it took me +60 hours. But upon playing it again and doing the exact same thing with knowledge of how to figure out the junction system and getting magics and hidden GFs and what have you it took a little over 40 hours of gameplay.

 

[Del Boy]

Thanks for your answers I guess I'll give it ago, I dont know whether there's a version for PC though so will have to check, I know they remade FF7 on the PC, unsue about 8.

 

[JCE3000GT]

There was an FF8 for the PC but it felt inferior to the PSX release. I would say absolutely get the PSX version and play it. The story is good, the side quests are a decent enough distraction. It was easy though if you've played any of the NES or SNES FF's then this one will be a cake walk. The best thing other than the story and music is Triple Triad. The single greatest game with-in a game ever!

 

[Del Boy]

There was an FF8 for the PC but it felt inferior to the PSX release. I would say absolutely get the PSX version and play it. The story is good, the side quests are a decent enough distraction. It was easy though if you've played any of the NES or SNES FF's then this one will be a cake walk. The best thing other than the story and music is Triple Triad. The single greatest game with-in a game ever!

wouldnt it be the exact same game though???

 

[Shaissa]

wouldnt it be the exact same game though???

Unless you have a computer that has windows 95/98 on it, it wont run on anything other than those.

 

[Del Boy]

Unless you have a computer that has windows 95/98 on it, it wont run on anything other than those.

I got it today and I'm running it on XP

 

[Shaissa]

I got it today and I'm running it on XP

oh yeah forgot XP still plays 95/98 games

Well hope you like it!

 

[Dincht]

Considering playing this.. I played it some years ago briefly but didnt really get into it.

Questions:

1) is it actually worth playing in regards to the story?
2) why are the graphics worse than FF7?
3) How hard is this game on a scale of 1-10?
4) How long did it take you to beat it (first play through) ?


Thanks

1. Absolutely. I'd recommend playing each Final Fantasy all the way through, at least once. Each game has the ability to win a person over, or loose them in the bat of an eyelid. FFVIII specifically is an interesting story, because it does come and go. It's a very good love story, a good tale of conflicting continents and an intriguing tale of sorcery. On the other hand, it tends to loose focus at points. Personally, I love it.

2. Strange question, this one. Strange because I've not come across someone that thinks this. To put it bluntly, they're not. They're better, and by a long shot. Starting with FMV's, they're a class above those of FFVII. I won't even refer you one certain FMV - they're all better. In-game were never going to be perfect due to the platform, but again they are much better than the polygon models in VII. That's not me criticising VII, for it's time it was in a class of it's own, but VIII blows it out of the water. At the very least, they look human.

3. It varies from person to person, and what you're trying to achieve from the game. For example, a player just trying to get from A to B will find it very easy. However, a player taking the time to explore every avenue will find it slightly more difficult. However much I like this game, the difficulty of it is one of it's drawbacks, in my opinion.

4. Tough to say, I've never really counted. Assuming it's about 12 hours per disk, 7 or 8 for the last, I'd say 40-50.

 

[Styx]

1. I'd say it has one of the most thrilling plots in the series. There are plot holes though and as someone else mentioned a ridiculous plot twist.

2. They aren't but there is some actual explanation as to why it may seem that way. Don't take my word for it as I'm simply (trying to) repeat what someone else said but it made sense when he said it cause I had the same feeling when I played 7 (I played it after 8). The pre-rendered backgrounds on 7 use CG images while the ones in 8 do not. This may make the backgrounds alone to seem more shinier even when compared with PS games from later years. That's it though. There's no mistaken for everything else when it comes to graphics. 8 is far superior.

3. The more and faster you understand how all mechanics work in this game the easier it will be. And assuming you won't exploit the system it's easily the hardest ff since 5. I'd say it's a solid 8 within final fantasy games.

4. I reached the final boss in 44 hours the first time but gave up and restarted. I think it took me 50-55 hours to complete the second time. Did more things though.

There was an FF8 for the PC but it felt inferior to the PSX release.

How? The game runs at native 640x480 resolution unlike the PS that runs at 320x240, there are practically no jaggies on the pc version and you don't need a pocketstation to play chocobo world. There are also 60 slots for saving. The rest are pretty much the same.

 

[Del Boy]

UGH! Im getting annoyed with it already, I just cant get to grasp with the battle system.. all this junctioning nonsense.

 

[Exoskeleton]

UGH! Im getting annoyed with it already, I just cant get to grasp with the battle system.. all this junctioning nonsense.

2 options: You can quit or get a walkthrough to make it easier. The junction system is honestly not that complicated. And you do have the option to ignore it. Otherwise, happy playing.

 

[Del Boy]

2 options: You can quit or get a walkthrough to make it easier. The junction system is honestly not that complicated. And you do have the option to ignore it. Otherwise, happy playing.

Really it seems important... I saw something in the tutorial about the game automatically setting it up for you.. I think...

 

[Big Casino]

1) is it actually worth playing in regards to the story?

Yes the story is absolutely brilliant. Best to play and decide for yourself though.

2) why are the graphics worse than FF7?

The graphics are superior to FF7. They went for a more realistic approach to the characters build but the ff8 cut scenes blow the ones in ff7 away and the pre-rendered BGs are much smoother.

3) How hard is this game on a scale of 1-10?

If you know how to properly work the junction system and where and how to get magic to equip it is the easiest final fantasy game out there. On a first time play through you wont know that so it will be more difficult.

4) How long did it take you to beat it (first play through) ?

Well given i played this game back in 1998/99 when it was released i really cant remember but probably between 40-50 hours. To play it nowadays though between 22-30 i would think.

 

[Del Boy]

thanks people I dont want to create a new thread so I was wondering if you could help me with the following questions:

1) How do I get the parts to upgrade my gun?
2) Im playing the PC version and it told me to active my gun by pressing E when I strike, it doesnt seem to work, maybe Im doing it wrong!
3) If I buy a car, do I get to keep it for the whole duration of the game?
4) am I right in thinking you dont buy new weapons you just upgrade the one you have by obtaining parts?

 

[Shaissa]

1) How do I get the parts to upgrade my gun?

some parts you have to get from Cards, I think Quelz or Shiva had the skill to turn cards into items, others you get small chance from monster encounters, learn Mug from Diablos to get the items.

2) Im playing the PC version and it told me to active my gun by pressing E when I strike, it doesnt seem to work, maybe Im doing it wrong!

You have to time it perfectly, keep trying

3) If I buy a car, do I get to keep it for the whole duration of the game?

Nope only till you bring it to a city, also don't waist your money.

4) am I right in thinking you dont buy new weapons you just upgrade the one you have by obtaining parts?

You have to get the weapon magazine and the parts, in order to upgrade your weapon, also you do have to pay to upgrade it.

 

[greenyxi]

thanks people I dont want to create a new thread so I was wondering if you could help me with the following questions:

1) How do I get the parts to upgrade my gun?
2) Im playing the PC version and it told me to active my gun by pressing E when I strike, it doesnt seem to work, maybe Im doing it wrong!
3) If I buy a car, do I get to keep it for the whole duration of the game?
4) am I right in thinking you dont buy new weapons you just upgrade the one you have by obtaining parts?

1) Collect parts that enemies drop when you defeat them/you steal from them. You can also play cards and use an ability to turn your cards into items. Is it called Item-Refine or something? Not sure.
2) Press the button just as your hit is going to hit the enemy. That's the only way I can describe it
3) It's not really worth buying a car. I always just rent them when I need them. Up to you. You won't need to keep the car for the whole game for sure...even if you can.
4) You don't buy new weapons. You upgrade them by finding items. You are correct.

Hope this helped a bit

 

[Exoskeleton]

Really it seems important... I saw something in the tutorial about the game automatically setting it up for you.. I think...

Yea. I speak from experience. My first time playing I got all the way to the end of disk 2 without realizing I needed to junction magic. Once I did that everything seemed easier. I don't remember about automatic junctioning but you may be right idk.

As for your recent questions upgrading weapons happen when you gather the necessary parts for them. You can get parts by encountering the monsters you find and getting their rewards after battle. Harder monsters often have better drops.

Striking with the gunblade is weird. After a while you'll get used to it; Ya just gotta find the right timing upon striking. And like Sprout said cars aren't really worth it, like, at all. I often forget you can even buy cars. It's better to save your money. Getting around by train or on foot offers better benefits and a chance at leveling/drawing magic/finding upgrade parts/etc.

 

[Styx]

Really it seems important... I saw something in the tutorial about the game automatically setting it up for you.. I think...

Indeed you can. You have the option of selecting Attack, Magic or Defense and the game will raise a characters' status automatically based on your selection. You really need to check the tutorials again.


To add a few things to what other people have already said:

1. The ability that teaches you how to refine items from cards is called Card Mod and Quezacotl has it but you need to learn the ability Card first for it to appear.
2. There's an option in the game (Squall's limit break status screen I think) where you can set an indicator that tells you when you must press the E button. I think it only works when you're performing his limit break though.
4. Magazines are very helpful in making weapons appear in stores and actually telling you what items you need for each weapon but if by any chance you do possess the items that are needed for a weapon then that weapon will still appear on the weapon store even if you don't have the magazine for it. So... just visit weapon stores when you get a chance cause you never know.