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 This one is due out (in Japan) by this winter. I've heard rumors (which are probably facts now that Square and EA have done a joint venture) that Final Fantasy VIII will appear in the U.S. at the same time, if not shortly after it is released in Japan. Some say that it will be hear at the latest by March of '99. The main characters are Squall Leonhart and Laguna Loire. According to my best friend Sayaka, these two will be played in a somewhat similar manner as how the parties where played in Final Fantasy VI when Locke, Sabin and Edgar split up. Squall has a weapon known as a gun blade. When he hits enemies he pulls the trigger to inflict more damage. It's kind of neat. The characters are dressed in late 80's fashion and are supposed to look more 'hip.' I don't know how many of you out there have seen the full blown demo (playable) available from Square with Brave Fencer Musashiden, but in my humble opinion Squaresoft is making some pretty terrible changes to their style of game. (For those of you who disagree, please read on.) How many of you out there remember Final Fantasy I? Not many I'm sure. How many of you remember Final Fantasy IV (Final Fantasy II in the U.S.)? Probably just a little more. And what about Final Fantasy VI (Final Fantasy III)? The point that I'm trying to make is that these games had 'deformed' characters and were not realistic. You had to use a thing called imagination to help you build the world you played in. Final Fantasy VII was the first time a Final Fantasy appeared in a real 3D manner. Do you realize that most of the players for Final Fantasy VII didn't play I-VI? I have. I didn't complain that the characters looked 'deformed' or that it should be more realistic. Those of you who did - you've got your cake and now it's time to eat it. Final Fantasy VIII looks more like a resident evil game than a Final Fantasy. The play is terrible - you have all of the people in your party cruising with you (actually behind you) and guess what? They all make footsteps. Kind of an annoying thing I think. Also, Squaresoft has tried a little too hard to make them look realistic. They look as though they are funny deformed people (I say deformed now because they are supposed to look real, they're just deformed.) Needless to say, I'm not impressed one bit. The other problem with Final Fantasy VIII is the lack of Magic Points. DOH! That means it's time to go all the way back to Final Fantasy I and use spells the same way. (I can just see Squall right now going up to a counter to buy magic...) Squaresoft has a lot of work to do on this, if they don't get their act together, it won't sell 1/2 the copies Final Fantasy VII sold. That's my 2 cents. I only have a couple of things on Final Fantasy VIII, but here they are. Squall Leonhart Leviathan That's all I've got - when I get more, I'll post it here. |
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