I guess I would best be able to start by saying that I am a computer user and therefore do not own a playstation. The last game console I bought was the original NES. Since then, all computer. I play the others through emulators mainly. I have played the demo for the computer for FF8 but also have played and am currently playing the playstation version through Bleem! the playstation emulator. So I have played the game enough to have a full opinion.
For starters, I am a strong fan of RPGs. Especially the Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior series(which I wish was still up against FF. Imagine where these RPG titles would be.). I have played all of the FF games. My suggestions to those reading are to ignore the bad reviews and at least try the demo before judging. This game was designed for the open minded, hard core gamers. You may notice there are more good reviews than bad. The game is mainly attacked do to it's change and story. First off, I do think it has a very sound story and was put together quite well in all categories.After all, if we all remember, Cloud wasn't exactly an emotional character. My most favorite features of all though, are those in which are changed. Salary for example. I never could understand either how weird blobs and monsters had gold. The main one attacked though is the Junction system and draw points. Think of it this way:
The large majority of RPGs you play are pretty much the same thing. Buy weapons, get spells through leveling, raise levels, increase mana and HP. If you want all of that, there is still 100s of those including the FF series in which has these features. I personally wouldn't be able to stand RPG after RPG, especially at the level FF is at, to be the same everytime. Now comes along FF8. As expected, Amazing graphics and FMV, characters with fingers, cool weapons. Of course though, there are downfalls with the game like all games have. For example, do to no chests, gold from monsters, and buying weapons, it does become more difficult to get the right spells and weapons. But there is the key of what makes the change good. A challenge for all the die hard RPG gamers that is based on a different system. Truthfully I think the largest downfall to the game is the inability to skip the Guardian Force's movies. Since they are used 50x more than the Summon Materia in FF7, the movies get annoying quicker. I rate the game 7 stars *******
Play it with your mind open. (Not Literally)
For starters, I am a strong fan of RPGs. Especially the Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior series(which I wish was still up against FF. Imagine where these RPG titles would be.). I have played all of the FF games. My suggestions to those reading are to ignore the bad reviews and at least try the demo before judging. This game was designed for the open minded, hard core gamers. You may notice there are more good reviews than bad. The game is mainly attacked do to it's change and story. First off, I do think it has a very sound story and was put together quite well in all categories.After all, if we all remember, Cloud wasn't exactly an emotional character. My most favorite features of all though, are those in which are changed. Salary for example. I never could understand either how weird blobs and monsters had gold. The main one attacked though is the Junction system and draw points. Think of it this way:
The large majority of RPGs you play are pretty much the same thing. Buy weapons, get spells through leveling, raise levels, increase mana and HP. If you want all of that, there is still 100s of those including the FF series in which has these features. I personally wouldn't be able to stand RPG after RPG, especially at the level FF is at, to be the same everytime. Now comes along FF8. As expected, Amazing graphics and FMV, characters with fingers, cool weapons. Of course though, there are downfalls with the game like all games have. For example, do to no chests, gold from monsters, and buying weapons, it does become more difficult to get the right spells and weapons. But there is the key of what makes the change good. A challenge for all the die hard RPG gamers that is based on a different system. Truthfully I think the largest downfall to the game is the inability to skip the Guardian Force's movies. Since they are used 50x more than the Summon Materia in FF7, the movies get annoying quicker. I rate the game 7 stars *******
Play it with your mind open. (Not Literally)