Final Fantasy VIII

The Good
First let us mention game's preferences, as they're all just plain marvelous. Game comes on five CDs (I'm, of course, refering to PC version), one is just for installation, so basically, there are only four to play along with. As for the graphic and animations, they're breathtaking, and I think I'm really falling for that japanese creations (let's get one thing straight, though... I don't like anime like 2D, I'm a pure fan of 3D animations, hehe, exceptions can be games with animations like 'Outlaws' or 'Lands of Lore'). After playing this game, I'm trully sorry SquareSoft haven't put more of their games through the process of transporting them to PC platforms.

The story puts you in role of Squall Leonhart, not so friendly and sociable guy, due to past circumstances, who ended in a military school for mercenaries. Your only worthy opponent is Seifer Almasy, who cares a bit more about his ego and a dream to become sorceress' knight then anything else, and is pretty determined to keep away everyone that tries to prevent that (it is him who gave you that scar in the intro animation, just soon enough for you to do the same present for him, hehe). However, your fighting teacher is a hot babe that everyone enjoys her presence, but no matter, you always seem to keep distance... that is, until you first saw your falling star. Is it possible to catch a falling star? Well, you're just about to find out that as you play along :)

This is my first Final Fantasy game I even played, and no matter how people claim this one has a bit tougher controls and whole thing to settle along, it's possible to master everything just as you play along, as you can always refer to ingame help and mentor. Fighting is definitely not turn-based (those who claims it is are wrong), but you speed and ability to strike depends in a certain time limit (if you have higher levels, you'll be faster, etc.) so that could trick those who think it's turn-based. It is definitely real-time, as even when you're choosing what to do and how to strike, enemy won't just watching you calmly.

Game uses just a keyboard, without a mouse, and you're moving your character(s) very similar to those in 'Alone in the Dark' games, only way faster and smoother. In many occasions you'll be given to choose with whom to play and/or do a certain mission, and the experience will go to the characters with you play at the moment. However, magic can only be used if you assigned a certain GF (Guardian Force) to your character, so you'll have to switch that from time to time... actually, quite a lot. Characters are all well designed, animated, and have a story of their own, but that story just happens to connect all of ya (which you'll uncover more once you play the game).

Animations in the game (excluding intro and ending animation) only consists of sound, and the music (which is probably midi) is on its own, so I must admit music is greatly composed to suit in every situation when played along with a piece of any animation at the given moment. Nobuo Uematsu is surely now on my top list of game composers :)

The Bad
Nada! Not a single thing! I only hope SquareSoft will stop doing so much game for consoles and concentrate their future more towards PC. I mean, first, graphic on PC is waaay better then on some silly Playstation which can only be used for games, second, how can you guys even play games on that silly thing instead of keyboard? Third, I'd really like to see some games like 'Parasite Eve' and newer 'Final Fantasy' games for PC. I know, it needs to be taken care of wether it will pay off the transportation to PC, but so far, I'm sure that both games, Final Fantasy VII & VIII were accepted on PC equally as on Playstation. I hope even more. If not, then something's wrong with the population on this planet, I'll sayeth :)

The Bottom Line
Hey, trust me one this one, you don't have to be a Final Fantasy fan to like this game. I wasn't... but be prepared to become one once you try it, hehe. That's the price of playing it, I guess, hehe. Beside the great story, wonderful animations, amazing character motions, really creative effects, speechless and breathtaking music soundtrack, there's at lest a reason to get this game for PC instead of PSX, since you'll enjoy more with better graphic and everything. Not to mention how prices for consoles are so much higher then for PC (which is still a mystery to me). You shouldn't say no to this game if there's any adventure, action, rpg, fantasy, sci-fi or love spirit in you. Trust me on this one :) Yeah right, as if you should listen to this review, anyway, lol!