FINAL FANTASY VIII
It is a time of war. Galbadia, a Global Superpower, has declared war on Dollet, a country whose training academy is home to two personalities: the hot-headed Seifer and the ‘lone wolf’, Squall Leonhart. Both are equally at conflict with each other as their country is with Galbadia; to others, Squall appears lacking in team spirit, while Seifer lacks the discipline of his rival. However, a chance encounter with the free-spirited Rinoa Heartilly turns Squall’s universe upside down; having thrived on discipline, Squall find the carefree Rinoa fascinating. He also begins to dream that he is Laguna Loire, a Galbadian army soldier…
Meanwhile, a sorceress manipulates the most powerful men in Galbadia.
Will Squall and his party succeed in defeating this maniacal sorceress and saving their world?
What part does the mysterious Laguna play? Only you can decide what happens next, as the greatest Role Playing Adventure of all time returns…
Key Features:
- Magic Booster
When Magic Booster is used, the player’s inventory of the following spells is increased by 100:
Cure, Cura, Curaga, Fire, Fira, Blizzard, Blizzara, Thunder, Thundara, Sleep, Blind, Silence, Berserk, Bio, Esuna, Aero, Confuse, Break, Zombie
This feature can be used from the launcher.
- Chocobo World
This version of FFVIII includes the full game “Chocobo World” that was released as a separate application for previous versions. It is possible to play “Chocobo World” directly from the launcher after booting up FFVIII and by fulfilling certain specific conditions in the main game you will also be able to synchronise data between the two games.
New Game Boosters:
- High Speed Mode
All scenes (including cutscenes, movies and battles, etc.) can be fast-forwarded. (Fast-forward speeds vary by cutscene, but average about five times normal speed.)
* CAUTION, certain computers may not be able to process the game with High Speed Mode. If the game crashes while in High Speed Mode, please restart the game and refrain from using High Speed Mode.
- Battle Assistance
Grants the following advantages in battle:
-ATB gauge always full
-HP always full
-Limit Break always available
*Characters die instantly when suffering damage that exceeds their HP.
- 9999
Normal attacks, certain Limit Breaks, and certain G.F. attacks deal 9,999 damage.
- AP MAX
Sets level and AP of all acquired G.F. to max when used on the world map.
*May not function properly when used during event cutscenes.
*These commands can only be executed via keyboard.
- Magic and Gil MAX
Sets inventory of each acquired magic spell to 100 and sets gil to maximum limit
*Cannot be used on menu screens, during cutscenes, in combat or at shop. Usable when moving between areas while playing Laguna’s Dream.
*These commands can only be executed via keyboard.
Game Discussion
Steam User 54
You ever notice how the two big Youtubers who hated this game, Spoony and ProJared, both got into serious relationship problems while all the people who adore this game about accepting and holding onto love in a defiant gesture against apathy are all in healthy relationships? Really makes you think...
Steam User 29
I genuinely recommend this over the "Remaster". Add the "Roses and Wine" mod to fix the music, add the mod that fixes the Quetzacotl sound, and you're good to go.
Steam User 16
Final Fantasy VIII holds a special place in my heart — the junction system is unlike anything else in the series, and once it clicks, you can spend hours theory-crafting builds or just breaking the game wide open. Triple Triad alone is worth the price of admission, an addictive little card game with surprising depth that I kept coming back to between story beats. The soundtrack is phenomenal, easily one of the best in the franchise, and the atmosphere shifts from militaristic tension to something dreamlike and haunting as the story unfolds. Fair warning though: this PC port has rough edges — controller support is frustrating out of the box, and you'll want to look into mods like Tonberry or FFnx to get the music sounding right. If you're willing to put in a little setup time, this version runs well and has a fantastic modding community behind it.
Steam User 16
Final Fantasy VIII is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated games in the entire series and easily my favorite Final Fantasy I’ve played so far.
The story really stands out with its focus on Squall and the emotional journey he goes through. It has a more personal tone compared to other entries, and while it can be a bit confusing at times, it has a lot of memorable moments and strong character development.
The gameplay is unique with the Junction system, which lets you customize your characters in a very different way compared to other RPGs. It takes some time to understand, but once it clicks, it offers a lot of depth and flexibility.
The game also has a really strong atmosphere, from the soundtrack to the world design. It creates a feeling that sticks with you and helps make the experience more memorable overall.
Overall, Final Fantasy VIII is an underrated masterpiece in my eyes. It may not be for everyone because of its systems, but it delivers a unique and emotional RPG experience that I personally really enjoyed.
Gameplay: 8/10 Very Good | Overall: 9/10 Great
Steam User 12
Final Fantasy VIII is one of the most misunderstood games in the series. It came out right after the huge success of Final Fantasy VII and tried to do something very different. Instead of focusing on a classic good versus evil story, it tells a more personal and emotional tale about young people facing complicated feelings and growing up.
Many players say the story is confusing, the pacing feels uneven, the characters sometimes seem underdeveloped, and the ending can be hard to understand. These criticisms are fair. The game expects you to pay close attention because many important details are subtle or hidden. The characters do not always explain what they feel, and some plot points are only hinted at. The story’s structure can feel rushed, especially near the end. This makes it tough for some players to connect with what is really going on.
That is exactly why a remake would be so valuable.
With today’s technology and storytelling techniques, the game could show the emotions and relationships much more clearly. Dialogue could feel more natural, and key moments could get the attention and depth they deserve. The world of Final Fantasy VIII, from Balamb Garden to the futuristic cities, could be brought to life in a way that feels alive and immersive. The music and atmosphere could also be enhanced to better support the story’s emotional beats.
At its heart, Final Fantasy VIII is about identity, memory, fear, and love. It is about how people grow up and try to connect with others, even when it is difficult and messy. These themes are timeless and still resonate today. The story’s focus on personal struggles rather than traditional fantasy battles makes it stand out in the series.
Final Fantasy VIII does not need to be rewritten. It needs to be retold in a way that is easier to understand and that lets the emotions come through more strongly. A remake could finally allow more players to experience the story the way the creators intended.
This game was never a bad story. It was ahead of its time and limited by the technology of the era. A remake could give it the voice it has always deserved.
Steam User 11
Everyone has their favorite Final Fantasy game and this one is mine. I've played FF games since the first one on NES (yes I'm old). I will admit there's several of the newer titles I've yet to try but I will eventually.
I was a teenager when this game was released for Playstation, and I was hooked from the first time I played it. I remember staying up way past my bed time just to keep playing it. This is one of my all time favorite video game titles that I have ever played back when I was young, And I was lucky enough to play a lot of great games back then. I was fortunate enough to have parents that allowed me to play them as long as I took care of all of my daily responsibilities.
As for the game itself, the story is great and the execution is spot on. Final Fantasy VIII is much more matured compared to all the FF games before it. Learning the strategy of the battles and how to make your characters strong is fun. Of course it can get repetitive, but that is just the nature of this style of RPG games. The graphics are aged of course (1999) but, at the time was noticeably better than FF VII.
It has really been a joy to jump back into this game so many years later. I can start to feel myself getting hooked all over again. I know there's an enhanced version but I wanted to re-experience the game in it's original form first. I've also read that the enhanced version does not have Chocobo World.
One thing that's important to note, is that in order for your gamepad to work, you first need to unplug all other input devices you have (joystick, racing wheel, etc.), otherwise the game will not see your gamepad. You also need to go to Steam game Properties for FF VIII, then Controller and select Disable Steam Input.
I strongly recommend that any Final Fantasy fan that hasn't played this game yet should play it.
Steam User 11
I thought this was a normal RPG.
Then the game told me not to level up.
Final Fantasy VIII is a beautiful mess with a combat system that actively punishes you for playing it like a normal person. Instead of grinding, you’re supposed to steal magic, hoard it like a dragon, and be afraid of experience points.
The story is dramatic, confusing, and very serious about feelings, destiny, and whatever time travel is doing today. Squall says very little, but when he does, it’s usually “whatever,” which honestly fits the mood.
If you enjoy experimenting with weird systems and don’t mind reading guides, this game is rewarding. If you just want to hit things and get stronger, FFVIII will fight you every step of the way.
I still don’t fully understand junctions.