Final Fantasy VIII Remastered is the best version of one of the most divisive entries in the series. Though the base game has its flaws, the world of Final Fantasy VIII is as intriguing as ever, and the Junction system is still one of the most unique mechanics in the series’s history. The ability to fast-forward makes slow animations a non-problem, while the other mods make it easier than ever for newcomers to try out the maverick Final Fantasy installment.
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered
Developer: Square Enix
Price: $20
Platforms: PS4 (reviewed), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC
MonsterVine was provided with a PS4 code for review.
As a longtime fan of the series, it’s been fascinating to watch Final Fantasy VIII’s reputation as it has bounced back and forth over the years. Because of its angsty protagonist and complicated Junction system, a lot of fans of VII and IX, the other PS1 titles, weren’t quite on board with the game. In recent years, it’s been viewed more favorably, with many demanding its release on modern consoles. When I played it as a preteen, I thoroughly enjoyed the story but found the Junction system to be a bit too confusing. As an adult, I was excited to revisit the game through Final Fantasy VIII Remastered. I can say that this is the best way to play Final Fantasy VIII, for newcomers or fans of the game, as the visuals look far better, and the added mechanics make a lot of the original game’s issues less prevalent.
It’s difficult to explain the story of Final Fantasy VIII, as it features quite a few characters and some very odd concepts. To be as basic as possible, you play as Squall Leonhart, a student at the Balamb Garden mercenary academy. After passing the esteemed “SeeD” exam, Squall and his friends are considered to be full-fledged soldiers. After being sent on a seemingly simple contract, the group teams up with the enthusiastic rebel Rinoa, and find themselves entangled in a conflict that involves tyrannical governments, a mad sorceress, dream worlds, and time manipulation. It’s a bit scattered and can be hard to follow at times, but there’s a lot of creativity on display. The world, which is a combination of futuristic sci-fi and rustic wartime scenery, has so many intriguing details in the way it works that it just sucks you in, as it feels like a layered and meticulously-crafted fantasy world.
The characters of Final Fantasy VIII will likely strike most as hit-or-miss, as they’re varying degrees of empathetic, interesting, annoying, and bland. For as much of a hilariously angsty asshat as Squall is, I can’t help but get invested in his growth and development. Rinoa is a spirited and genuinely likable co-lead to the story. Zell is the perfect foil to Squall’s melancholy attitude. Laguna is incredibly cheesy and endearing in the best way. Not to mention, Seifer is easily one of the best and most detestable antagonists in all of Final Fantasy. While I mostly like the rest of the cast, they don’t feel as compelling as their peers, which can make the story feel a bit uneven at times. The villain takes a good while to get involved as well, which is a shame, as she’s certainly one of the coolest parts of Final Fantasy VIII’s lore and society.
“The added features in Final Fantasy VIII Remastered are a godsend for new players and a handy bonus for veterans.“
The gameplay of Final Fantasy VIII is complicated, for better or for worse. The much-debated Junction system, of which all combat/character growth revolves around, is present and as intricate as ever. Using Guardian Forces and Junctions can be quite rewarding if done right, but it’s bothersome to distribute them to your whole party when you have less than six during the early game, as characters are practically helpless without some form of junctioning. That said, I do like the depth of customization that comes with the Junction system, though the overbearing tutorial doesn’t actually explain the system very well. Overbearing tutorials plague a large part of the first disc, which slows the pace down quite a bit.
I couldn’t review Final Fantasy VIII in any form without mentioning Triple Triad, the addictive card-based minigame that can be played with a ton of NPCs throughout the entire game. It’s simple in premise: you place cards with numbers on the sides and try to beat the numbers on your opponents’ cards to take over the board. It’s easy to pick up and far more fun than it should be, and it actually ties into the game– especially if you enjoy exploits in games. The classic Final Fantasy VIII exploit, where you win Triple Triad cards and convert them into overpowered magic early in the game, is completely intact in Final Fantasy VIII Remastered, which makes me quite happy.
“I think Final Fantasy VIII Remastered looks incredible compared to the original game, and probably as good as it could possibly look as a remaster.“
The added features in Final Fantasy VIII Remastered are a godsend for new players and a handy bonus for veterans. While I think the “full HP/ATB” boosters are overkill, the “triple speed” booster is incredibly handy during long summoning/attack animations. I don’t mind the “no encounter” booster either, as it does make traversing the world map for the hundredth time far less annoying, though you could always just unlock the same ability through leveling Diabolos. It makes certain sections easier (getting Odin in time, primarily), so it’s an overall helpful bonus.
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered looks far better than it did on the PS1, as should be expected. The models actually look like people this time around, as Final Fantasy VIII’s attempt at realism on the PS1 hasn’t held up too well over the years. The pre-rendered backgrounds definitely look dated, as do the FMV cutscenes, but you can only ask for so much from a remaster. I think Final Fantasy VIII Remastered looks incredible compared to the original game, and probably as good as it could possibly look as a remaster.
One thing that pretty much all fans agree on is that Final Fantasy VIII has an incredible soundtrack. Remastered uses this same soundtrack, and it’s still absolutely stunning. Lots of series classics, like Fisherman’s Horizon, Don’t Be Afraid, and Man With the Machine Gun, come from Final Fantasy VIII, and they sound as exceptional as ever. I’d also say that Final Fantasy VIII has the best version of the iconic victory fanfare, which makes hearing it every few minutes delightful.
The Final Word
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered is easily the absolute best way to play one of the most divisive titles from Final Fantasy’s amazing PS1 era. The story is engrossing, though a bit convoluted, and the world is one of the best in the series. Despite some overbearing tutorials, the gameplay is complicated but rewarding for those patient enough to learn about it, especially with the newly added gameplay boosters. The soundtrack is top-notch, and the visuals are great, for a PS1 remaster. If you’ve never played Final Fantasy VIII, or even just want to revisit this odd but charming entry in the series, I highly recommend picking up the Remastered version.
MonsterVine Review Score: 4 out of 5 – Good
