Okay I'm currently playing FFVIII

For the first time of course. It's the Holy Week and classes are over so everybody's home and I cannot use the computer so I decided to play FFVIII. I'll be posting updates as much as I can, if I can access this PC....

First two hours:

• LOL what the heck Seifer and Squall’s epic battle with Libera Fatali is just training?
• It’s hard not to compare with FFVII but it doesn’t start with something exiting like the reactor mission. You start with compulsory tutorials and even if you also read them THEY’RE STILL COMPULSARY
• I still can’t grasp the system very well yet and when can I equip weapons? Oh… wait. I can’t!? Well I’m just one hour so maybe I can
• Squall is too passive for a main hero, as of now maybe. Well maybe because I make him nice to everyone.
• Comparing to FFVII again, FFVII starts with the story. Barret explains the planet and Shinra and stuff. In FFVIII you start teenagers in a school and you have no idea where the story will steer.

Now 8 hours in the game

• At first I died fighting the robot spider after that Dollet tower because my escape button doesn't work. The trick is actually to hold the analog stick. I died the second time because again it didn't work. The third time I found a way to trick the robot in the bridge so it cannot block the way.
• I liked the ballroom scene even if I had watched it a few times. I love it <3
• Squall is pretty mean to Quistis!
• Escaped the T-rex
• I'm actually loving the trio of Squall-Selphie-Zell because the two's energy is a stark contrast to Squall's gloominess
• I still don't get the system very much. I miss equipping armors and weapons. FFVIII's system is new to me.
• I don't like triple triad and I'm not interested in learning it unless it's necessary.
• I named all characters with their default names, except Rinoa's dog. I named him Bognot.
• Overall some technical problems spoil the fun for me. The dialogue freezers if I press the button without the animation stopping or if it's not long enough. I have to wait for like 5 seconds before I proceed to the next line. This is a killer since I read faster than average. The game froze twice already. Usually when I'm drawing stuff.
• The trains sequence's explanation is so long when it's too easy.
• Just defeated the fake president and going to the TV station.

Danseru-kun said:

• I still don't get the system very much. I miss equipping armors and weapons. FFVIII's system is new to me.
• I don't like triple triad and I'm not interested in learning it unless it's necessary.

Click to expand...

These were also problems of mine, but the main reason why I quit playing (I think I finished just the first disk) was because I didn't like the characters. Overall I just lost interest.

Good luck I hope you finish it

Ah, FFVIII has a very different feel to it then FFVII did. They don't really compare too well. FFVIII is my second favorite FF though...

Responses:
--you actually can skip the tutorials. I wouldn't recommend it the first time though as they explain a lot about the junction system.
--there really aren't any equips in FFVIII. You can upgrade your weapons, but only at the Junk Shops in cities and only if you have the right items which are usually monster drops. You will find out what items those are if you find the right magazines. Actually, magic could count as an equip...
--Squall won't stay passive for long...

--Junction system... I've never seen a more abuse-able system in a FF game. If you don't understand it, you'll be weaker then everything else; if you get it, you'll be way more powerful then anything you'll come across.
--Triple Triad isn't necessary to win the game, in fact, you can straight out ignore it and it won't have any effect. But, it's the fastest way to get higher level-magics early on in the game and make yourself over-powered. It's not like Tetra Master where you gain nothing from it.
--What are you playing on? I emulated it and it works just fine...

Junction System
--on the GFs, there's a skill they can learn called "Refining". It refines the items monsters drop into magic spells. The type of magic it refines depends on the GF. And there's one monster that can refine Triple Triad cards into items. (so Triple Triad cards = magic)
--the idea is to refine items into magic you don't have and then junction that to your stats to raise them. Genrally speaking, certain magics spells raise certain stats better then others (ie: Tornado junctions great to Strength, but bad to Speed).
--As you get more GFs, you'll be able to junction magic to more stats (like elemental resistance).
--junction system is probably the most flexible stat/magic system in the early games... so there's a lot of room for error, there's also no one right way to do it.

FFVIII is the type of game that grew on me as I played it. Hope you like it.

Really good guide for it: http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps/197343-final-fantasy-viii/faqs/51741

Just adding on to OF's post here, but here are some guides that I referred to when playing FF8:


A walkthrough (if you feel like referring to one)

http://www.ffinsider.eu/final-fantasy-8/walk.php


The Junction system in more detail:


http://www.alteredgamer.com/final-f...ng-the-junction-system-in-final-fantasy-viii/


Best Magic for raising your character's stats:

http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps/197343-final-fantasy-viii/answers?qid=300965


List of storyline GFs and where to find the optional GFs:

http://www.ffcompilation.co.uk/ffviii_guardian_forces_1.php
http://www.ffcompilation.co.uk/ffviii_guardian_forces_2.php

N.B. You'll have to use the Draw command on the bosses that hold the optional GFs to obtain them after the battle.


List of GF abilities:

http://www.ffcompilation.co.uk/ffviii_abilities_list.php

I found the best abilities to learn from GFs are:

Card (when an enemy has been weakened, try using this and they'll sometimes turn into a card. You can use the Card Mod ability to convert these cards into useful/rare items, which is necessary if you want to get better weapons for your characters.)

Card Mod
Revive
Defend
Treatment
Recover
Boost (Press + hold Select and repeatedly press the Square button. This will make GFs inflict more damage.)
Mug
Auto-Haste
Move-Find (sometimes you'll find powerful junctioning magic with this)
Ammo RF & Tool RF (for weapons)


Weapons Monthly Magazines:

To upgrade your weapons, you'll need to find these.

http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Weapons_Monthly


I hope you enjoy the game Danseru! I found the system confusing at first too, so I hope the links above are able to help you out in some way

Not being able to run away puts you at a tremendous disadvantage. Fleeing is practically built into the game design.

^^Enc-None for the win!

I ignored the low-level idea in favor of getting everyone up to Lv. 100 mid-game. Most boring boss-fights ever. No wonder they put Omega in. He's a way harder boss to defeat then any of Ultimacia's forms.

Game's pretty entertaining. I had stages in my life where I thought it was weak and other stages where I thought it was quite a good game. I've settled with it being good.

I just have the junction system, though. Too confusing at first and easily exploitable if you know how to do it.

You may dislike Triple Triad at first (as did I), but once you start getting some decent cards in your deck and learn how to manipulate the rules, you will seriously get hooked.

Weapons are there, but they're 'fixed' and you just need to upgrade them via magic/items.

Card conversion to items/magic is probably the easiest way to get through the game.

Once you have a decent collective of spells and items, you can beat a lot of bosses in one hit in some cases. Just take it slow and focus on farming items/magic.

Guys, thanks for the tips. to be honest I have no time to maximize the gaming experience, but I will do my best to make the most of the story.

And I'm using a PSP, don't ask where I got my copy

I forgot to say that I find Laguna to be very likeable, and his interactions with Julia is far more interesting than Squinoa for me. But.... of course I know what's gonna happen.

I'll be back

Danseru-kun said:

And I'm using a PSP, don't ask where I got my copy

Click to expand...

I had the disks when I first played it on PS1. Didn't finish it. Played it again after many years on my PSP ( ), then quit again. I want to finish it for real but I discovered my PSP isn't working anymoar

And oh yeah Laguna's cool.

Okay 12 hours into the game. I challenged practically everyone in Timber in Triple Triad. I had to restart the game a couple of times because I suck at it.

And I dunno if it was my dialogue choice but I was disappointed that the TV station mission has all talk and little action.

Okay I really, REALLy felt sad at the flashback when Kiros and Ward look like they're dying. The saddest part of the game for me so far. I dunno what will happen to them because I haven't read their profiles.

And another sad part to me was learning that Seifer apparently died. I REALLy like Seifer so far, I actually like him more than Squall in this point in the story. He's a brat but he's not actually a bad kid.

Someone asked me how I felt about the characters being teenagers, I actually like it. They're more grounded and relatable than FFVII characters for me, less wacky and more like the kids you see in your highschool. I'm also loving Squall's inner monologues so far, it's a good compensation for his lack of talking.

Now in Deling city and off to the tombs I'm trying to find...

To quote Kefka (on Squall): "You sure are talkative...in your HEAD."

18 hours into the game

I got the Brothers in the Tomb, they were easier to beat than navigating through the maze (I suck at those things)

The Deling City mission was pretty fun! But I go get some facepalm with Quistis deciding to abandon their post and apologize to Rinoa. I got lost in the sewers It would have been fun if this mission had a time limit for challenge.

I wasn't able to draw Carbuncle from the lizards because the game freezes everytime I do, but maybe I'll try again... but that means I have to defeat Seifer and Edea all over again :/

And... this point of the story Rinoa's in my line of apathy and dislike. She's pretty reckless for someone who didn't receive a proper training and like Quistis said, acts like all is a game (although she thinks she's not.)

Anyway, my problem now is that the game doesn't seem to proceed to the next disc and... I'm looking for a way.

Hmm that might have to do something with your copy.. you may need to get another one, if you know what I mean

And I felt the same with Rinoa. At least I grew fond of Squall a bit in 012.. she's just so goddamn annoying..

Rinoa grew on me with time. Like a fungal infection. I can never tell if my now-ingrained emotional responses to these characters are there because of the way the story is told, or because of the way I experienced it when I was younger. Who knows.

I was indifferent to Squall the first time I played this game until a certain point. I couldn't stand Rinoa until a certain point. I disliked Seifer from start to finish, and have never understood how people can like him 0_o. Zell bordered on annoying me. My feelings toward Irvine bordered on dislike, but mostly indifference. Meh also in the general direction of Quistis, but a shout-out to her for basically being the dominatrix of the group. Selphie I'm never sure about, but I do like the way she's written. She basically can't be assed with any of the bullshit but is also super nice

Countless playthroughs later, and I still feel the same about these characters. It's an oddball group for me, there's no way about it. My favourite character might actually be Edea.

I loved the whole story (even the parts other people didn't seem to like) and the feel of the game in general. I'm excited to hear what you've got to say about the rest of the game Danseru.

I'm currently experiencing technical problems (it's expected haha)

It keeps on saying "Warning: wrong disc" and I'm currently searching to a solution.

You might have to download another eboot call Square? XD. Seriously though, it might be the CFW version you're using. Have you checked the compatibility page?

I like FFVIII which seems to be pretty blasphemous in most circles. There are flaws, of course, but it's not garbage. I don't like the lack of equips and the junction system is simultaneously confusing and horribly exploitable. But I like the characters (sans Rinoa - ugh) and the story is cool, elevating in severity.

In VII, you start out saving the Planet. That's it, it doesn't really get any simpler or more complex. But in VIII, things are layered, and it makes it much easier to understand the characters and their plight. Of course there is some really crap stuff in there but I'm here to hear Danseru's opinion, not my own :p

I hope you get it back working soon!

Well some online solutions say I press the "PSP" button which sadly I don't have because I'm using a five year old model. If it's the home button needed to switch discs, then I'm afraid to say that button of mine is broken.

@Lex I don't know those stuff about the PSP but I'll try to learn. I tried using my sister's PSP 3000 by inserting my memory card but when I try to play the game it says "copyright invalid" or whatever

To remove that anti-piracy feature I have to use a custom firmware. So now I'm juggling on options. I might need a day or two before I can start playing again, if not, I may have to download procure another copy.

I find the Edea parade an exciting experience and a visual spectacle. I can just imagine the players 14 years ago seeing those graphics like how we see FFXIII today.

Yes, I used to be defensive on Rinoa and think people might just be judgemental of her character, but now I understand why she is disliked. I think Japan likes females who are stubborn on wanting to help or be a heroine but will still end up getting rescued. I still think she deserves a spot in KH or Dissidia though.

Wish me luck

Best of luck. I really hope you get to finish the game.

Major agreement about Rinoa being needed in KH and Dissidia, by the way. If Leon is in another KH, they really should include Rinoa.

I think my major problems with VIII is that I pretty much strongly disliked most of the FFVIII characters, the one I liked the most is Zell and that's not saying much. Rinoa is my least liked character in FF- only behind Genesis.

Strangely, I think the other characters are strong. I love Edea, she's just got this presence that I enjoy, and Laguna(+co) is endearing. They got me through the game.

I didn't mind Rinoa actually. I thought Squall was pretty funny with his snarkiness. I loved Laguna. He's my favorite VIII character. I liked Zell, he can be pretty funny sometimes. Same with Selphie and Irvine. Quistis was rather meh for me. Same with Seifer.

Danseru, you need the Home button to switch discs. If you don't have that you might have to do download the eboot for each disc instead of the whole thing in one install. It won't work in another PSP if it doesn't have custom firmware installed.

Rinoa was annoying in the beginning of the game for me, but after Disk 2 I found I liked her a lot. I think it's how she and Squall rub off on each other to the point that by the time Disk 3 comes along, I found I like the majority of the FFVIII cast if simply because they aren't a stereotypical FF cast.

Another thing I found interesting is how there isn't a very detailed back-story for any of the main cast. We know Rinoa was born in Dueling, but it's never explained how she got to Timber in the first place, let alone the head of a terrorist organization. Irvine Zell , Selphie , etc. It really lets you make up whatever backgrounds you want for them.

Prince Lex said:

Danseru, you need the Home button to switch discs. If you don't have that you might have to do download the eboot for each disc instead of the whole thing in one install. It won't work in another PSP if it doesn't have custom firmware installed.

Click to expand...

My copy is actually four eboots rather than one big file. This is how I played FFVII too but it worked out perfectly and switched discs without a home button.

If all things fail, I might have to download another copy and start the whole thing again U_U The save files are inside the eboots so I can't really use the saved data to other copies.