Can You Beat FFVIII Without Leveling Up?

Took me forever (procrastination) but it's finally done!! Enjoy!!
Note: The "can you beat" in the title is not a question of the challenge's possibility (as of course, it has been around for awhile). It is a questioning of one's direct ability to take on the challenge (also it's catchier, for views).
New video already in the works! Hopefully it will not be another several months before I finish it.
0:00 - Intro
1:20 - Disc 1
18:19 - Disc 2
26:55 - Disc 3
35:00 - Disc 4
45:28 - Ending

[@minimumBoss]

Hey. So now that this video has gained a bit of popularity in the lasts few weeks (after sitting at less than 1k views for almost 2 years, wtf youtube?) I can address some of the questions and concerns raised in the comments: 1. Yes, this is not a very difficult challenge, and is in fact probably the most optimal way to play the game if you want an easy time. Still it was a lot of fun. Consider this a guide, a discussion, or at the very least a visual documentation of a no level up run. 2. I could have used Siefer or Edea to level up my GFs and learn abilities without leveling up my regular party members. Perhaps I wasn't clear enough in the video but I was also trying to get the lowest amount of EXP possible, a kind of bonus challenge, so I didn't do this. 3. Because of the above self-imposed challenge (no EXP) it is NOT possible to get Squall's ultimate weapon Lion Heart. You need pulse ammo to craft it, and you can't get pulse ammo without leveling up Ifrit to access the Ammo-RF skill. There is no other way in the game to get pulse ammo. Also it's not really needed at all anyway. If I think of anything else I'll add it here. Thanks for stopping by!

[@TrillShatner]

KZbin has a very finite number of videos… It seems endless but it really isn’t. KZbin Will drag its claws through videos that have gotten greater than X number of views X number of years ago at a constant rate.. videos that get engagement while in this cycle get reinserted into the algorithm. As soon as engagement stops for a period of time the number of impressions you are offered are reduced.

[@minimumBoss]

@@TrillShatner Yeah, I've noticed. Since the beginning my philosophy has always been to just make videos for fun, the kind that I would want to watch and if they get views, that's great. So it's not a big deal to me, just an observation. But I really feel for smaller content creators who are trying to make videos to pay the bills and have to deal with youtube's wacky algorithms. There's some really well crafted videos out there with little to no views while the most inane, low effort, lowest common denominator stuff is what gets millions. Sad, really.

[@TrillShatner]

@@minimumBoss If you combine anything trending with your content you will get traffic... But it is all timesensitive... For instance: Ishowspeed showed his pp on stream... Ishowmeat still trending.. No-Meat playthrough FF7 (I eat only greens)... include ishowspeed as a hashtag in the title and do the whole "In honor of ishowspeed's new meatmarket I am blah blah....".. Just an example of what grinding creators do every other video.

[@ryankappel1245]

If you got the time. You can grind 100 full life for each character from the hidden draw point in the missile base takes a few hours of running in circles to get it to refill. Then with around 200k gil can draw 100 ultimas from the draw point in shumi village once you get mobile garden. Similar to the one in missile base. just run circles in the area until DP refills.

[@SebasTian58323]

There is a way to get a few pulse ammo without ifrit, but not enough for the lion heart. You can only get them without the ammo refine skill by mugging a galbadean soldier in FH as Irvine after a grease monkey knocks him out after having previously helped the grease monkey yourself.

[@davidmiles1741]

Not only is it possible, it actually makes the game significantly easier.

[@Sceptera]

This is how I play the game already; do full no level up runs. The bosses don't even give exp because as stated Leveling up actually makes this game harder.

[@212mochaman]

The only question i wanted answered is actually how to avoid exp on forced fights against humans and how to avoid exp getting the necessary ap for card and card mod. Less than lvl 10 run is the easiest challenge in rpg's. Less than 2, actually really hard

[@adimasguntur]

Because it has been the meta since years ago

[@jblazer9804]

Truth ...but not as fun, imo that is.

[@AllyMonsters]

@@212mochaman By using only bosses to gain ap for a little while. During seed mission kill squall and zell and let seifer kill things. Run from most humans or use break magic (petrified enemies only gives exp for damage done, not for dying so it way less then normal exp). Later on you'll want to get tonberry king as soon as possible to lvl down enemies for less exp. Till then card, break, or run.

[@Dex2R7]

I loved the junction system. I also remember seeing the FF8 cutscenes for the 1st time and telling my friend, "What if real gameplay actually looks as good as these cinematic some day?!" FF8 was such a jump in fidelity compared to FF7.

[@raho500]

Not forget, the soundtracks where peak. 👌 Balamb garden theme still wakes nostalgia in me.

[@TheBacklogs]

I don't know _why_ you did this, but you have my respect for doing so. Well done!

[@minimumBoss]

I don't know either, but thanks!

[@WillCMAG]

I think I should use this route for the game.

[@nesoukkefka1741]

I mean while it's impressive in other JRPG, a Low Level Challenge in FFVIII is basically the optimal way to play this game. The equivalent to Low Level in FFVIII is the No Junction challenge

[@AutumnRain525]

Think it's an achievement on the steam version

[@PleiadianPhoenix]

​@@nesoukkefka1741 NGPlus actually did it, quite the challenge really

[@MaikoGabrielKinzelEngelke]

The way I killed Ultima Weapon my first time (I never forget the process), was through Phoenix Pinion. I had farmed them previously, and had a bunch. so when I went down, after all the fights and no save (I didn't knew about the hidden save-spot), I fought with my life on the line, and then I died, and I was like "NOOOOO" until Phoenix suddenly appeared, damaged him and healed me... Ultima killed me soon after, but Phoenix appeared again! This process repeated until Ultima Weapon died. So there is this strategy that I never see being used around in low level runs.

[@newbrowny]

Amazing video. I'm so impressed by your narration and knowledge of ff8. Can't wait for another video!

[@schnakeklausen8074]

Very enjoyable video, thank you for that. I wish you a lot more subscribers and views for your quality work!

[@griffglowen5555]

I intended to watch just a couple of minutes out of curiosity but ended up watching the whole vid! Never knew this was possible

[@D_Winds]

Great video. Love watching a thoroughly explained challenge run for the FF games.

[@R1ck_Ryder]

Thanks for this, its actually BETTER to not get xp in this game! Leveling Gaurdians is way more important

[@MrKrewie]

Which is super weird in an rpg

[@rtiq270]

​@@MrKrewieThere's a reason so many people don't praise ff8 for it's gameplay 😅

[@smward87]

@@rtiq270 It's not praised often for anything because it doesn't do anything particularly well lol. It's not bad, but every part of it had already been done better by its predecessors and was quickly overshadowed by its successors. It's very much a middle child of the series.

[@rtiq270]

@@smward87 I don't hate it that much, but it's hard to defend for sure. It's a JRPG that punishes you for playing like one.

[@alphabrodien]

@@rtiq270or it’s done so that way the game is constantly a challenge, even though it’s not really a hard game at all. I like the junction system I just hate the tediousness of the draw system.

[@rustybreville95]

I found early AP grinding in the training area of garden much more efficient in the long run as you have a chance to card both available enemies into a Shumi card which can refine into Gamblers Spirit which can teach your other characters the Card ability

[@mateoherrera2881]

The fish at the shoreline is a great place to get ap

[@jmv333]

The algorithm served this up and I am glad

[@R1ck_Ryder]

Great video bro! Taught me some good strata!

[@Moshenokoji]

I watched this stoned as fuck and i am in awe of your accomplishment.

[@Matty_Ice87]

You did an excellent job on this!

[@BBee13]

I’m surprised this doesn’t have more views like other final fantasy challenge videos. Well done!

[@brandonlaferney937]

Without even watching the video not leveling in 8 actually makes the game way easier, since you can still max your stats through junction and enemies stay low level

[@Barooth100]

exactly my thought. due to enemies leveling with the party, its easier if you don't level up

[@geofff.3343]

You can just play cards for abyss worms. They Card Mod into windmills which T-mag refine into tornados.

[@MetalAriel]

You junction Tornados to strengh, as it is a super strong spell at this point of time right?

[@212mochaman]

​@@MetalArielthird strongest available at that stage. Its preferred by and large cause the 2 better ones require 50 ruby dragon cards for 1 character, or to sacrifice the quistis card

[@CrowQuark]

@@212mochaman You can also Card the Buels in Ifrit Cave and the caterpillars outside of the cave for the rare cod mods to get Holy and Flare, Turning you into an absolute beast at the start of the game.

[@pepicisam]

Respect to you for this. I'm almost done with my no level challenge for the steam achievement.

[@kevincushing3165]

Watching this while at the tail end of my own low lvl run. I love seeing what you did different than I did. Sorry you did this on the OG. The remaster makes it so much less tedious (I did it on the OG when I was much younger haha)

[@minimumBoss]

OG is the only way I can play. I tried the remaster. It's probably better but nostalgia wouldn't let me like it.

[@jillian5394]

This makes me want to play ff8 again. Like holy crap I love this

[@near--zero]

i loved the junctioning system, and being an angsty teenager at the time i played it, I really identified with the squall character lol

[@Vprod.]

A great FF8 video, i imagine this will and probably already has inspired quite a few people to play the game with a completely new playstyle. I was very much aware of how the game truly works, having played the game religiously over and over since i was a child. Still had to watch the video due to my love of the game and the effort really shows in the editing quality! Btw: Square, PLEASE give the junction system one more try! It's by far the most complicated FF stat system, and i'm all for it! Way too l hate. It'll never happen but one can always wish for a miracle..

[@minimumBoss]

Thanks! We're in the days where game development barriers are as low as ever, and spiritual successors are popping up all the time. Maybe we'll someday soon see an indie team bring us a modernized junction system.

[@Gogo-qb9ff]

Awesome video!

[@minimumBoss]

ty!

[@nobby3OO]

i hope you get rewarded for the effort you put into this video $$$$

[@rpgenius7]

So no one is gonna talk about the Donkey Kong jams this guy is playing oh so quietly in the background?

[@zakizdaman]

An awesome challenge run as most JRPG challenges are just grinding to overpower the challenge

[@adimasguntur]

Won't even be a challenge. It's been the meta since years ago.

[@KyRex1783]

18:12 "With that, the sorceress kills Squall and his dream, that is, the rest of the game, begins." ...oh god you're one of THOSE people

[@lukedelameter7961]

There’s a little asterisk at the bottom saying that he doesn’t personally believe that theory.

[@Octaslash08]

Oh yeah I remember doing a no level playthrough and it's so worth it especially on the Steam version, on the PS1 version not so much. Lots of card playing and refining after turning monsters into cards to avoid the experience gains.

[@fremiamagus]

Breaking the game is exactly what I did on my first playthrough. This is before guides were available. In fact, the game actively encourages you to use the card game to break it. Without the card game, getting spells would be horrendously too expensive to use.

[@riskybitness]

I love how you learned how to improve the graphics on your emulator halfway through disc 1! XD

[@lutrueson9000]

sure its easier when you break the game, i recommend to everyone, new players especially to have a few regular play throughs without guides or cheeseing the game you will appreciate the struggle it can be much more, excellent video i really enjoyed the flow.

[@mithrillis]

This challenge is even more busted in the old FFVIII version with the Chocobo World minigame. You can infinitely farm Spd Up and make Rinoa's speed 255. Remove all her attack spells except Meteor, and she can pretty much auto battle Omega weapon with the angel wing limit break :D

[@CiaranCorrigan86]

That was awesome! I've also been really fond of the junction system. I tried the opposite of this once when I was a kid, where I levelled up as much as I could be bothered to, but only got as far as The Brothers before it got too difficult and I had to abandon it. Also, lol at all the "well actually" comments who clearly didn't bother to watch the video.

[@ChristineMason87]

Very help hun might one day give it a go

[@taxevaderyoshi5795]

I love this game 2nd favourite of all time

[@HaeravonFAQs]

This is a challenge? This is just how I play the game.

[@Nolifeterran]

That triple entendre tho with that "drawing board" part. "Drawing" because of drawing magic. "Bored" because it gets boring and tedious. "Drawing board" as in, needing to go back to the drawing board for new ideas. It's not every day you hear thee ol trip. 👍

[@godsplayingfield]

personally, i really like the card-item-magic-junction synergy of this game. certainly it's best feature, but also the thing that breaks it's back. in terms of gameplay, 8 is my least favourite because it's in your best interest to make every character the exact same in terms of junctioning. so in the end the only things that matter are limit breaks. Squall, Irvine and Zell being the best. special mention to RInoa Angel wing for chance to cast multi hitting spells like meteor, and Selphie for also being able to cast meteor early and having THE END spell. which murders everything in the game one shot. even Omega if i remember correctly. techincally 7 and 10 had the same problem where in the end limit break total hits was the deciding factor in party set up, but that took a MUCH longer time to set up. in FF8 you can get over 8K hp and high 100's in every stat by the end of disc one if you card enough....

[@ziennsunfield1381]

I remember juctioning Ultima (or any magic with high value, really) on mag stat and then cast Tripple Meteor usually kill stuffs very easily. It's more convenience than Limit Break, imo. It can be used whenever, by anyone, and it's AoE too.

[@yagokain4189]

​@@ziennsunfield1381 Triple spell animations take way too long compared to something like Zells Fight limit break. Not to mention 1 limit break can hit the enemy 20-30 times if you are really good at mashing the right buttons and you can use limit break again the next turn if your characters hp is low enough. Limit breaks in FFVIII are insanely broken and they are the sole reason why you can beat this game with no junctioning.

[@ShinraWotV]

Great video ✌ Where can i find that Corridors of Time Mix in the outro?

[@minimumBoss]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pX-2fnWsm8SIfpI

[@pppoopoo4514]

Yes because FF8 has monster scaling so the meta is to upgrade weapons and junction powerful magic while staying as low a combat level as possible

[@TheRandomGuyTheFarNoGameCat]

How has this video not blown the **** up? It's incredible. Edit: I'm confused about Lionheart. I swear you can get it very early in the game without much issue. Does Ifrit not get Ammo Refine until X Level? :)

[@kenhammscousin4716]

Same, I'm gotten it before when you are first able to leave the garden

[@TheRandomGuyTheFarNoGameCat]

@@kenhammscousin4716 Yeah, I get it as soon as I get to Glabadia Garden's Train Station

[@minimumBoss]

I'm seeing a lot of comments about this. Ifrit does NOT get ammo refine until level 10. I think people are just remembering incorrectly. Or something changed in the steam version, which as far as I can tell it's the same.

[@jaydubbz8969]

@@minimumBoss level up ifrit with seifer during dollet mission

[@Brannen666]

I have often done a low level run. Was curious what the lowest level you could keep it.

[@davidebordignon285]

Hi, when playing FF8 I was using a similar method to not level up until I got Cactusr GF that has bonus level up ability. With that I was able to power up my team. One thing I don’t understand during the fight with Omega Weapon. Why do you use aura if you party is already able to use limit breaks due to critical HP?

[@RoderickEtheria]

If the only condition is you don't gain experience, then you only need to go a limited distance to test if it's possible. Given your rules, it is absolutely possible if not beneficial to not level up. The first things you will have to aim to learn as regards abilities are I-Magic Refine on Shiva and Card on Quetzlcoatl. After the Dollet mission, the challenge is already complete. If Seifer and Edea are okay with gaining EP, you can level most GFs to LV 100 without leveling any permanent party members. Superior strategy is carding Grats until you have two Gambler Soul items, so everybody can card enemies. I'm not exactly remembering any piece of the Lionheart that requires a leveled-up GF, but I think, if one is required, it is one that can be leveled with Edea. Oh, you're referring to Ifrit's Ammo-RF. As long as you're okay with Seifer leveling as he's not a permanent member, you can easily do this in Disc 2. Farming spells from enemies is generally unneeded as soon as you have gotten Diabolos, simply by the amount of cards you can mod with Quetzlcoatl by that time.

[@haniespanieldollis]

45:25 well done mate!!

[@RefiaKazus]

I love Breezy its quite literally the only song I remember how to play on guitar!!

[@dariendude17]

Man the algorithm really screwed you dude. Here's hoping you get better views!

[@HeavenOnHigh]

18:40 that theory is already been disproven by the director himself. The ice didnt price his heart, it was his shoulder may believe what you like, but i cant run around claiming haurchefant didn't die, he got isekai'd and lives his life as a vending machine

[@joelmeakin7938]

It actually makes the game easier just do the edea level up trick and some with seifer to draw the good spells for junctions later in the game

[@170skeith]

I remember renting this as a kid and spending the weekend with my cousin eating pizza and taking turns playing it we managed to beat it like an hour before the video store closed and it would have been late

[@Kaxuria]

The no exp is way easier than a "normal" run in ff8...

[@heartofmythril]

Huh. Never thought I'd see a challenge of something that I've done myself.

[@Siinory]

I love you can break the game with its own mechanics and not obscure glitches/mechanics not intended by the devs

[@maxspecs]

One would argue that the game is easier when played this way.

[@jetsteamgray]

After playing the game twice I can say it makes the game easier by using the magic junction system

[@THEMINDCASTLE]

Yo what's the background music at the beginning of disc 3's section? It sounds like a banger

[@minimumBoss]

DKC2 hot Head Bop Famitracker cover by megan: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYrEaqamp8uth5Y

[@THEMINDCASTLE]

@@minimumBoss thank you so much :,)

[@zenothkun]

Yes you can, I've done this with my playthrough, just use card mod on most random battles. You won't get the final Squall limit break but it's still really doable.

[@kylerossi7961]

FF8 is one of the few final fantasies that punishes you for getting XP. The game changes the enemy types as you level, as well as their power and moveset. It scales to player level. It is one of (if not the only) where doing this is possible...and if you junction right it's actually not all that difficult

[@SquallSf]

What version FF8 is this? How much exp you will need to get Lion Heart? Because if you do, Omega Weapon should be easy kill, you can do it Squall only. You don't need to spam Holy War - the only thing that really damages you is Light Pillar, so use it right before that. Gravija is for your advantage - even if you don't have Aura, you have chance to pull a Limit.

[@omniunown]

I love the end game in this game... Spoiler:. . . . . . . . . . . . President: Okay, let's be real, we all know that whatever we do, we're going to fail. Squall has my blood, and he's the main character, so it's going to happen. So here's the plan. We're going to, and follow me on this, lose on purpose.

[@joshuak4372]

This is the best way to play the game.

[@kamikaze9699]

I've done this myself, following a guide written 20 years ago

[@sepheroithisgod]

I wish the remaster turned some of these fan challenges into trophies.

[@lazarinth5782]

There's only one battle in FFVIII that you can't avoid getting exp from.

[@megaman874]

The love story wasn't forced, it was decently implemented, though it could have been better, yes. And time compression does make sense when you read deeper into it. Besides that, the story does have some shortcomings like not giving enough spotlight/development to some characters, but it's still an awesome tale.

[@Tuvok_Shakur]

i bet you buy parmesan cheese whole and use the twisty thing at home

[@megaman874]

@@Tuvok_Shakur Lol no.

[@pabloponce3211]

I think I saw somewhere that if you are zombified you can't gain exp, that could help make things faster

[@kindergrinder3920]

Can I "inject" a recommendation for run I did just this morning? >no character's level up >no weapon remodelling >no Quezacotl, meaning no carding enemies and you can't turn cards into items >beat the game with less than 100 kills (there is an achievement / trophy for 100 kills in remaster) >you can swap GF but you are allowed to have only 1 GF equipped per character I kid you not, without card command / abuse this run is actually fun. I still haven't beat Omega though (but I am trying) and I didn't get certain GFs for obvious reasons (20 Tonberry kills would ruin this run). EDIT: killed her. I can confirm that you can beat Omega legit, without The End limit, and you don't neet invincibility. Btw, I'm curious how did you beat Ruby Dragon with Break. I cast Break over 200 times, nothing. I managed to beat it when I junction Break to Siren's STAT-ATK. One more thing... At 20:27 you come back at Balamb Garden. You probably know this, but I'll write it anyway. Say you are against Cid. Visit every location. Every time you see people in danger, ignore the problem. When you visit areas where Garden Faculty asks you for help, say you are assigned to another area. Go to that part where the stage is, and when students ask you whose side are you on, say you are with headmaster; you will get some items. Finally, go to cafeteria and when you talk to Garden Faculty say you are done with pretending. He will summon one bomb and you can defeat it with Break. Talk to students in cafeteria and they will tell you about Xu. This way you will fight JUST ONE battle/enemy before going after Xu.

[@306pako]

Check out that resolution. Looks like you are playing the original. What a boss

[@JoNNyCLOUD171]

Before even watching the video the answer is yes and it's a lot easier and you are far more powerful as a result.

[@nickm2890]

Just wanted to share with someone that I made it all the way to Ultima Weapon yesterday. I even beat it. Only to remember I didn't draw Eden. 10/10, not getting it this playthrough.

[@roywagner7655]

10 Holy Wars refine from the Gilgamesh card.

[@michelzero5012]

Kind of late this question: can I play cards on the garden after the communication tower mission?

[@mwbwyatt]

i know that 6/7/10 are usually the most beloved FF's and 8 gets a LOT of flak because the junction system can be so confusion and overwhelming as HELL if you dont know what youre doing, and using magic lowers stats which is counterproductive...but the junctioning/refinement system is honestly one of the coolest and most fun mechanics in just about any final fantasy game. there's SO much customization and things you can do with it.

[@humantacos9800]

I always kept my characters under level 10 until the very end of the game, then I’d power level them to 100 with with quistis’s limit break on island closest to hell.

[@KJYKJY1985]

This is how I play the game normally for the most part. There are a few things you seem to have forgotten though. I didn't see you swap junctions back and forth to put your characters in critical condition until the very end. There's really no reason to not be in critical condition in this game. It was especially silly to keep healing against Ultima Weapon when his only threatening attack is a guaranteed 9999. You also weren't using Quistis' Micro Missile limit, which is great for carding enemies and very helpful against Tonberries. If you don't read the Timber Maniacs in Shumi Village before the Laguna dream with the Ruby Dragon, you'll have all three characters against the Ruby Dragon. Hope it's level 12 so you can get it up to 48 with Tonberry. I think it can spawn between level 8 and 12 in a run like this. I'm somewhat surprised you didn't get Flares and Pains from Tri-faces in Galbadia Garden with Tonberry's Level Up ability. I'm really surprised you never mentioned Tonberry's shop ability exploits for unlimited money, stat items, and Aura Stones (and therefore the Aura spell).

[@minimumBoss]

Excellent points here. Some stuff I didn't know or realize, I'm by no means an expert. Some stuff is just leftover habits from how I played this game as a kid. And some is just not necessary, no lvl really is easy mode.

[@H2Obsession]

The "no level up" challenge (win @ Lv1) is the first "challenge" that I ever completed. Moderate challenge with minor frustration(s). Very satisfying result! Honestly, I can't comprehend how people can endure "no equipment / no magic / no item" challenges... those have VERY high frustration with little reward (except: did it)... Also if you do get to final boss (Ultemicia) at Level 1, you should kick major ass! (I know I did, more than once.) Anyway, thank you for the video!

[@RoderickEtheria]

How can you fight at Lv1? Nobody starts at Lv1.

[@timel_ss]

I'm today years old when I fucking realized that the FF8 version of "Ultimate Weapon" (31:37) is a modified version of the FF7 one, HOLDING the Ultima Weapon (Clouds Sword). 🤦

[@SomeOne-vh1rm]

I have done this challenge very easy if you know how it works, but I added no limit breaks on mine, then I decided to go for a no junction game, got stuck on the spaceship disc 3

[@neoqwerty]

IIRC I think GarlandTheGreat back a good 15ish years ago did a video about getting through that part in his Low Level No Junctions No Limit Breaks No Items run, or someone else did. Check for "Final Fantasy 8 LLNJNLBNI Challenge" ...or one of the other combinations of the challenges, basically if it looks like roman numberals in the title besides the VIII, it's the one. I don't recall what exactly was required since I watched that said 15ish years ago but it IS possible, just very frustrating.

[@japan100100]

Not sure why this was even a question lol. This game is perhaps even easier to beat without leveling up. It breaks the game. Honestly, the game as a whole is extremely easy. Once junctioning is understood, anyone can beat the game with a random assortment of spells. The only exception might be the secret bosses. Other than that, the game is too easy. People beat this game with just the Attack Command lol.

[@OhHiMark001]

I dont remember irvine saying kobe and shooting lol, is that really in the game

[@mastermold10]

given that the games dificulty scales based ony our parties level and our stats are deterined by junctions not leval you actualy made the game 'easier' in the long run doing this.

[@petergerman3832]

Easist thing in the world to win by not leveling. Try getting to 100 by second Edea fight and then fighting Odin, Tonberries, and Cautur.

[@mikeiscoolerthenyou]

Leveling up in ff8 scales the enemies up more than your party does so staying a low Lv just makes the game easier.

[@greglane334]

Oh shit, I'm on Ultimecia's castle with everyone at level 100 right now. Guess it's too late to try this

[@feddsp]

just knowing that enemy levels correlate with player levels won't require 46 minutes to answer this question...

[@Negetive2digit]

The game teaches you that timers are deadly but then Odin, the guy who always killed you in earlier games for not being fast enough, doesn't kill you for running out of time. Way to not follow your set precedents, game.

[@another1118]

as long as ya have low level --- its easier to finish the game :3

[@andrewdavies3091]

The speedrun of this game relies on you levelling up as little as possible 😄 junction system ftw!

[@fatranga]

It's the best way to play the game

[@danreyes3293]

Tonberry LV UP/Down command + LLG really breaks the game

[@kristenrobinson7189]

No Mention of the almost "Permanent All" Card Rule from the card queen. There seems to be a limited amount on this rule as winning 5 cards constantly seems to eventually reset the rule to "One" because its seen as cheesing but you can get many cards and faster by talking to the card queen.

[@quananginh9446]

this is the first way to win the game that I know :D

[@haniespanieldollis]

40:49 indeed save the best til last hehe 😀 I killed Omega Weapon on FF15, that was a bugger

[@david-gi9yl]

Could most definitely get lionheart through card mod

[@minimumBoss]

No, the only way to get pulse ammo (needed to craft the weapon) is using the ability ammo refine. Ammo refine requires Ifrit to be level 10 which is not possible with the rules I used for this run.

[@haniespanieldollis]

13:59 so I take it the high strength is just for boss battles

[@Valerius123]

Leveling up does *not* make the game harder for the most part. Most bosses are level capped and normal mobs are always whatever. You can just use enc-none. It only makes a difference in a couple exceptions most notably Omega Weapon and Ultemicia. I just got the platinum trophy on remastered edition without leveling up yesterday.

[@DennGreenIII]

This is like asking if you can beat final fantasy 7 at level 99. You're not supposed to level up in 8.

[@DarkFrozenDepths]

Obligatory "you shouldn't level up anyway cause it makes the game harder" comment. But no seriously, enemy levels scale to your own and that ups their stats. Way easier if you just stay as low level as you can while junctioning the best stuff you can. Supposedly every enemy in the game goes off this system according to the FF8 wiki.