FINAL FANTASY VIII REMASTER REVIEW - Happy Console Gamer

[@andywilde559]

I played this 20 years ago and it was mind-blowing for me. 20 years later and a lot of people say it's not a good game. I can't understand that, it's still one of the best games ever made in my opinion.

[@Subremedy]

Some people don't like to play old games although they are some of the best

[@qwerty6789x]

still better that all those modern MTX infested games.

[@andywilde559]

@@Subremedy That's totally fine, we all grew up with different games. I also think that only because a game is "old" shouldn't qualify it to be rated lower.

[@possumlodge5368]

I can understand peoples gripes. The game encourages hoarding and not using magic, and it does take a bit of time to understand the junction system , then when it finally clicks you realise how broken it is. I love this game, but they tried a lot of things that didn't make it past this title.

[@andywilde559]

@@possumlodge5368 I don't know, but this is what I hear/ read from the majority right now but back in the day nobody was complaining about the drawing magic system. We all loved it. For all I can say is, that it feels like a thing that gets suddenly pushed by the internet but a lot of people maybe didn't even propably play this game. Also, Final Fantasy always introduced new features in every game that were not taken over to the next game. Not because they weren't good, but because they always wanted to create something fresh. And I definitely think that "hoarding" is an essential part of a lot of RPGs.

[@viniciusnascimento1993]

FFVIII was my first RPG on PS1, i loved this game very much and the opening cinematic is EPIC, for sure my favorite intro of all Final Fantasy games.

[@MrKingPotato]

My first Final fantasy was 7 on the ps1.. but I played on the ps2 system

[@justanotherrandomontheyout4791]

VIII was also my first rpg and I loved it nuff said

[@adamdam]

Exactly the same experience for me and before I had It my mother's work mate at the time offered her final fantasy 7 and 8 (amongst other games) for me to have for free and I turned down the final fantasy cause I didn't know what it was or cared (I was only like 9 at the time lol) then I got it as a gift later and then was hooked on turned based rpgs and grinding senselessly after experiencing this game,not knowing what the hell I was doing!

[@Tyrannical_Princess]

Omg this was my first rpg as well! Haha

[@JHMBB2]

Same, love this game. It's very special to me.

[@Alan_Chapman]

How can I forget leaving campus for lunch on Thursday, September 9, 1999 to completely ignore getting lunch and instead go straight to purchase Final Fantasy VIII. It was the same day the Dreamcast launched. We couldn’t resist playing on the Dreamcast demo unit the store had set up, but man I couldn’t wait for the weekend to come so I could just dive into FFVIII. Great memories.

[@The_RadicalOne]

Johnny, this is my favorite game in the series. I know some people don’t like the junction system, but this game has some amazing story and characters. Anyone remember the Space scene in this game? So touching.

[@John_Nada_]

Hands down best FF

[@jboo8966]

*Amazing* characters? Name two.

[@QueenViolet8]

The. Characters were well written I thought squall was so emo back then. Good times getting up a HR early to play before going to school.

[@The_RadicalOne]

QueenViolet8 squall was pretty bad until disc 3. I thought they did a great job with him

[@marianelatovar9500]

@@jboo8966 sure! Squall, Zell, Selphie, Rinoa, Irvine, Seifer, Quistis, Laguna, Kiros, Ward, Edea :)

[@jahipalmer8782]

This game traps my soul. If I start playing it, I just keep playing it forever. Btw: I just bought the remaster. I love it.

[@joset814]

When the balamb garden music sounds for the first time... It's just nostalgic as hell to me.

[@HappyConsoleGamer]

That is the music that always gets me too!

[@Skellotronix]

Makes you melt and want to stay.

[@tonamaradiaga1882]

José T i almost cry every time

[@jjjvvv123]

My favorite video game song ever

[@VinnyRetro]

Recently was feeling nostalgic and put the soundtrack album up on spotify. I could see in my head all the things you wen through in that game by listening to its music

[@Space__Burrito]

FF8 has one of the best soundtracks of all time praise be to lord nobuo uemastu

[@GenghisWanghis]

It does, for sure, but Uematsu has said FF9 was his favorite or most fun to score and I think you can really tell that while playing

[@cameronholtan3407]

@@GenghisWanghis Final Fantasy IX's soundtrack is one of my favorites.

[@Destroyer_13]

FF4,6,7, and 8 all have the best FF soundtracks.

[@indeimaus]

FF8 is the best FF OST for sure, even though FF7 is my favourite I can't deny its soundtrack

[@joncliffmckinley5868]

you are 100% correct. Blue Fields forever

[@Armoured.Goomba]

The opening is the best in the series

[@GenghisWanghis]

FF8 is far from my favorite FF, but it has some of my favorite music. I think FF9 has the best OST and Nobuo Uetmasu has said it was his favorite to score as well and I think you can really hear that it was throughout playing the game.

[@Direwoof]

I'm partial to teh FF tactics soundtrack but yeah I love some of the songs on 8.

[@esquiredan2702]

@@Armoured.Goomba Problem is FF8's opening jumps all over the place and doesn't seamlessly transition into the scene. It's almost a trailer for the story. FF7 has a cinematic opening that transitions right into the thick of an action sequence. Both are great in different ways, but to say 8 has the best in the series is a bit much IMO.

[@FRCB]

FF8 was the first RPG I ever played and the reason why I love RPGs.

[@ngoduy3110]

So do I.

[@swsgaming4878]

You forgot to mention the best part about the game... Triple triad. That was one of the best mini games in any FF by far.

[@Relic_cileR]

I would dare say that it’s the only FF mini game I enjoyed!

[@Thwompapotamus]

The song was great alone

[@rodoromero]

I tried it yesterday without watching the tutorial as I thought I recalled how to play it, and I was swiftly defeated. Then I read the tutorial, and same result. I read it again and same result. What the heck happened to me though all these years? LOL

[@omegaweapon116]

I lost all my cards in Triple Triad my first playthrough. I started saving my cards for card modding

[@lazeegai2014]

Now that we have Final Fantasy 8 HD.... How bout working on Chrono Cross HD. Yes Square-Enix?

[@rashadwilliams267]

This NEEDS to happen

[@Markm658]

wild arms or legend of legaia

[@miscalotastuff733]

How about a cross and trigger combo release.

[@oasisbeyond]

@Bubblegum Crash Don't think the same dev's are doing these, just small little teams.

[@tahirwhite1]

Chronic trigger before cross

[@HolyHadou]

"Its never gonna look better than this." Modding Community: "You underestimate my power!"

[@Phantom_Zer0]

Whitney Asante - i've seen the hd mods and they look better, even the backgrounds look better.

[@Taikaru]

@@Phantom_Zer0 AI Gigapixel is a miracle. It can beautify backgrounds and even FMVs that had long eluded other improvement techniques!

[@HolyHadou]

@@Phantom_Zer0 I heard there's some sort of learning algorithm the modding community used to upres all the backgrounds. Not sure why the developers didn't use it but cest la vie.

[@brosplit]

This FF models definitely better. FfVIII modders only playing with textures, not polygons.

[@jamesburchill7522]

"The original code was lost..except on the millions of physical copies you can purchase on eBay or Amazon. Even if the game is on an optical disk...it's still reading data..or..code. A rom dump.

[@DerNapalus]

All i need now is a HD remaster of Final Fantasy Tactics, Brace Fencer Musashi and Vagrant Story. Dreams........

[@Thwompapotamus]

Oof. Brave Fencer and Tactics and FF8 were my favorite RPGs on ps1

[@dannyg88]

That would be awesome. Tactics has been re-released a couple times but Vagrant Story deserves one too. A gem from that era. Also Brave Fencer Musashi was a very fun game even tho my friends made fun of me for liking it lol.

[@pr0xy87]

Parasite Eve? YOU'RE A FRAUD!!! 😛

[@brandonwhittaker85]

Xenogears and Chrono Cross!

[@mrsisterfister6647]

Yes I effing agree my brother

[@bennywarren9870]

This game taught me how to read😂 The junction system is so overpowered once you learn how to use it. I loved it when i was a kid and I was drivin to increase my ability to read in order to play it.

[@donut132]

I never understood it lol but my ps1 died before i finished it... I remember going into a desert place with a dome building something about a nuke

[@codekhalil6437]

That is very cool that it taught you how to read. Square should know about this!

[@bennywarren9870]

@@codekhalil6437 yeah I was a kid with ADD and I was struggling to read because it wasn't fun. My friends had gotten into final fantasy games and we're telling me the cool stuff you could do in them. Well I wanted to do the cool stuff and talk about slick strategies. If I was going to do that I was going to have to learn how to read better. After that game my reading comprehension increase by a large margin. . their game was final fantasy 7 I could only find final fantasy 8 so that's the one I played and that became my favorite and we all became mortal enemies on who's better squall leonhart or cloud strife

[@bennywarren9870]

@@donut132 along with boosting certain stats depending on what magic you junction. . It also makes it so you are pretty much casting the spell every time you connect a hit. For example. I equip 99 deaths to squall. so every time I did a physical attack I had a super high chance of one shouting anything that wasn't immune or resistant to death. But with that much death equipped. I barely did any damage to imps.

[@TheFeezy777]

@@bennywarren9870 cant wait to junction 100 Ultimas and 100 Holy😊😊😊

[@Spider_Mike023]

I watched my older brother play through 7. Loved it. He went overseas after and I saw this game on the shelf at EBgames and had to buy it and play it myself. Was my first FF purchase and I loved it.

[@SpaceCattttt]

And now you're going to buy it again so we can have the first 6 games released as well.

[@KingKarrot]

This is my favorite game of all time! Thank you for giving it some love!

[@supernes64eaa86]

Yes this is my phantsy star 1.🙂

[@billyrigby4839]

AMEN!!!! I love the remaster, just to play the game again and dive into it after all this time

[@MrEvodio65]

It deserved all the love but its ok.

[@stefflee4501]

I bought the copy for the nintendo switch yesterday. And my impression was : HOLY GOD! THIS IS SO GOOD!

[@Relic_cileR]

I played this after VII (loved VII) back in the PS1 days and I was one of the few who loved VIII more than VII.

[@blindmanai6957]

I was at the right age for the story from FF8. Because I was too young to care about plot holes and cliches, I enjoyed just about everything FF8 had to offer. What's always stuck with me though is the song Breezy. Balamb Garden, the Triple Triad theme and even Dollet are songs that are burned into memory. To this day I still stream the OST while at work as its just got so many bangers.

[@Alamyst2011]

"Eyes on me" Had not heard it in 20 years. When it played during the first dream I gave a little cry.

[@carltasticdrew9633]

That Julia playing the piano never fails me to get me in tears. It's so good that it doesn't need a remake.

[@JHMBB2]

This game changed my life, I simply adore it. I'm bummed there isn't a physical release, but that's okay. Any FF8 love makes me so happy. I will play through this again on normal speed eating up every bit of story, music, and battle.

[@zachnewman3795]

I still got my original copy from Square on Playstation, and this is the FIRST Final Fantasy game I was introduced to so from there my expectations were set. I always liked the draw system even the time it took as it meant I didn't have to rush through and could power up. The remastered version was a blast from the past and fun to enjoy again.

[@sonic0424]

I adore FF8. Got it on day one back in 1999. I was 14 at the time. I bought this one on the Switch eShop this morning before work and now I'm playing it. PROTIP: The first GF abilities you should learn are all the Mag-RF (Magic Refine). It allows you to create spells from items. This means LESS drawing!

[@SpaceCattttt]

I was 22. Old enough to be your father.

[@myworms]

Got mine day one as well. 9/9/99

[@ShouldOfStudiedForTheTest]

@@SpaceCattttt You became a father at 8?

[@SpaceCattttt]

@@ShouldOfStudiedForTheTest Yes. And you're the result. I probably should've mentioned that earlier.

[@ShouldOfStudiedForTheTest]

I was born in 1732, you were born in 1977. Doesn't quite work well.

[@RickxDogg]

I started my first walkthrough last night. Played for about two hours, so far I'm enjoying the game

[@ClosestNearUtopia]

So, was enjoying a understatement?

[@Lakrymatur]

I remember highly anticipating this game and playing the demo over and over imagining how awesome it would be, and I even had it pre-ordered along with the BradyGames strategy guide. Honestly I was not a huge fan of how the game turned out, but I had so much hype going into it that I was able to push through and finish the game. Back then I just wanted more Final Fantasy, and my love for the series was enough to keep me playing even though it was an odd installment especially for the time.

[@brettguyer3736]

FFVIII was a more complex game than FFVII...you could technically make a "build" with the junction system. Some people just didn't "get it". Especially back then.

[@hurotiz]

pro tip: you don't have to draw. When the game first starts and you get control of your character, the terminal in front of you can be accessed and will give you 2 GF's, Quetz and Shiva. if you go into the GF menu, you can make your GF's learn certain abilities. The first one you want quetz to learn is refine thunder magic. Shiva can learn Refine Ice magic. you will get refine fire magic shortly. The only time you need to draw is for certain GF's from bosses, you can refine all your magic much more efficiently than by drawing. =)

[@dizzy11523]

Greatest music and greatest character design, Edea. Will download revisit.

[@Seiferboi]

I keep reading/hearing that Edea was originally supposed to be in FF7 as an enemy.

[@Space__Burrito]

@@Seiferboi yes same as fujin and raijin they all were supposed to be in ff7 I think fujin and raijin were members of the Turks I think

[@Mysta_G]

This is my favorite FF of all time. I will never forget playing it for hours at my cousin's house on his bunk bed. So happy it finally got remastered. 😁

[@thomasmccormack4796]

Hated this game when I first played it on the ps1. Played it again 2 years ago and enjoyed it. There are no bad FF games.

[@JulianThursday13]

I might be one of the few people who liked the draw system. A quick tip: Use the party member with the highest magic points for drawing.

[@hurotiz]

Or you can just learn the Refine magic skills for each type from your GFs and get 100 magic stores for each character for 5-10 magic stones each which drop from almost every creature.

[@ryancoleman9840]

I discovered Final Fantasy in the form of IX. Fell in love with it and wanted more! Discovered I owned a demo disc for VIII and booted it up. It was the storming of Dollet mission, and I recall thinking it bizarre that there were cars in the street. Coming straight from a medieval world and going to a science fiction setting was strange, but it didn't put me off any. I fell in love with the game, the characters and the combat. I played that demo about three times! I asked all of my friends if they had copies of VII and VIII but no-one did. Eventually I found copies of both in gamestation (a now defunct chain) for £25 each! Which was a massive amount of money to a thirteen year old kid. Luckily my Auntie saw how much they both meant to me and offered to buy them to 'sell' to relatives so they could gift them me as a birthday present. My birthday was months away but I couldn't say no to this! I don't think I ever tore of wrapping paper quite so hastily as I did that morning. My parents had got me a second hand ps2 for that birthday and I did not want to go to school that morning! My Auntie just ended up gifting me VII and VIII herself bless her, and the absolute cherry on the top though was she had also picked up the newly released Final Fantasy X for me. I don't think I ever have been so spoiled to date! And it was a massive conundrum as to which title to start playing first! Of the three ps1 titles, VIII ended up being my least favourite. But it's with no small amount of anticipation that I await for a quiet weekend where I can play this remaster. It has its cons but it has a helluva lot of of pros!

[@Zenzuu]

Chrono Cross HD, Vagrant Story, Chrono Trigger, Xenogears Remasters and also bring back Parasite Eve please 🙂

[@TheFeezy777]

Dont forget legend of dragoon!

[@Davidsworldtravels]

Xenogears with the story fully built! And not just shortcut

[@DanTheMan908]

Spot on mate 👌

[@ngoduy3110]

Chrono Cross would be the top of my list for a remaster.

[@hoganshairline4175]

In absolute awe of that collection behind him

[@jeremypoani6840]

Back in '99 I had my Playstation connected to a VCR so I could record the FMV scenes.

[@ngu0061]

I always enjoy when Johnny tells us of past stories.

[@devinreed21]

Final Fantasy 8 is my favorite FF ever. I never beat it though, so I’m super excited to get this and finally beat it!

[@joejefferies7209]

I would love to see Suikoden 2 on Switch. I'm not gonna lie, y'all. Final Fantasy has got too much shine. Please, Konami. Make it happen. Or a remake of the game. Have the guy who played as the voice of Urien from Street Fighter 5 to play as Luca Blight.

[@l337z0r]

The trick to enjoy Final Fantasy VIII today is to remember to take it on its own terms, just allow yourself to immerse into the experience -- as you did all those years ago -- and turn off the rational part of your mind.

[@Heavymetalrille]

I loved FF8, i have so many great memories from before and when it came out, great experiences from a really good game, a solid game. I am happy to see this finally happen and i would love to play it again. The cutscenes and animations blew me away back then, graphically it was a big leap for games and the Final Fantasy series, people seem to forget about that, but it was BIG!. Still dream of seeing a HD-remaster and release of the first Silent Hill, wish it could happen. If not, damn it, a hardcore back to the basics remake, i'll take anything as long as it's Silent Hill. Why squander it all, let it decay and waste away, i still have not gotten over what Konami has become and their betrayal, just pure madness! Damn it, i feel like crying..... :(

[@Kaiser499TV]

I hope we get a Remake on the PS5.

[@MDK22420]

I love how u tell stories about the games and how they relate to your past. I especially like hearing that 1 about ur ex. Remember u telling Andrew in the ff series talk and it was hilarious.

[@marianelatovar9500]

I have a question, did the landing soundtrack was changed? It sounded horrible when I played the Dollet mission part.

[@JezzmanGAMES]

I won't be picking it up. Apparently they have censored some character models, like Rinoa and Siren. You can find the article at One Angry Gamer 's site. I know this won't affect the gameplay, but I don't condone ANY kind of censorship. So I'll be skipping this one.

[@anthonyperalta2506]

Does it offer an option where i can speed up the summoning cutscenes? I remember cutscenes taking up to 2 minutes or some ridiculousness!

[@RPD91]

My first Final Fantasy. For that reason alone, it's one of my favorite RPGs.

[@tahirwhite1]

Great review Johnny! I remember playing this game on ps1 as well. I remember growing up and wanting to become a seed and living in and attending balamb garden. College was the closest experience I had but this game was very special to me. I can’t wait to play the remaster.

[@catatonic165]

The only FF game ive never played and im so hyped to finally be able to!

[@kayvanraamsdonk]

Enjoy :)

[@supernes64eaa86]

I play it when i was 14 im 33 now.☹

[@kibaakuma5172]

How’s FF12?

[@Phantom_Zer0]

Pikachu with a Keyblade - FF12 plays like an mmo(ish) game, it has a very different gameplay but it's still good, the soundtrack is not as good but it is from a good composer too, watch some reviews of ff12 international zodiac (i think that's the name of the best version).

[@jamesroman9576]

@@kibaakuma5172 FF12 is fantastic! Definitely one of the best.

[@jjc4924]

I want to try out 8. But I'm not sure how much I would like it due to the Draw & Junction system problem that I heard so much. Does the remastered made them at least tolerable? Will I have an easier time in the remaster than the PS1 version? Let me know. I want to try this game out. But I don't know if I'm gonna enjoy it as much as other Final Fantasy games.

[@プラレスjuomaru柔王丸]

Great review as always. I love Final Fantasy 8 can't wait to play it but first i must beat Astral Chain.

[@corey2232]

Don't get your hopes up, this review is VERY misguided in nostalgia. Objectively it's a very poor "remaster." It's just a re-release with update characters models, that's it. Poor frame rate (15 fps in battles & in FMVs), no widescreen, no analogue controls, censored dialogue, blurry backgrounds... essentially just the Steam version that already existed but with sharper character models. That's literally it.

[@stickyrice5943]

@@corey2232 Thanks for the heads up, for me i just happy they port it to PS4 so i could just play it at the console that i play most of the time

[@stickyrice5943]

Nice Astral chain the game that made me think should i get a Switch or not lol

[@spudsT]

Draw system is part of getting magic, not the only way. Refine. Refine. Refine. You’ll find you can have 1 to none of your characters drawing in battle using this method.

[@michaelmcclelland9876]

Ironically, I was someone that kind of hated this game initially (mostly due to gameplay mechanics). Still, I played it all the way through and learned to weirdly love it! Something about the story, characters, music, strong mini-game (triple triad), and of course the cinematic presentation for the time I felt was unrivaled. FF8 will ALWAYS be a special game in my heart, and I'm so happy they finally re-released and remastered it (FINALLY). Thanks for the review Johnny!

[@davidsabillon5182]

I remember when my cousin told me about the junction system after I played many many hours. I instantly became powerful.

[@jumaanecabrera8091]

...10 minutes later..."Are we going to do something else?" L2+R2 Escape! ESCAPE!

[@evangelian007]

It's great to have remasters of Final Fantasy 7-10(plus X-2) for the Switch. I do hope we get remasters of the final Fantasy 1-6, put the 8 bit and 16 bit FF games for the NES switch online/Snes switch online and or at least a collection compilation.

[@rockvault3284]

I’m loving the FFVIII Remastered version

[@kerrydustin3996]

When this game was released, I was new to the RPG genre and only played ff7 up until that point. I had no idea what I was doing and managed to make it to the battle with Adel on disk 3 without drawing, learning magic, leveling up stats. That was my breaking point and it wasn’t until I got a starayahy guide that I finally understood it. After that I breezed through the game. Overall it’s a great game, great story, and.Great memories.

[@tylordstevenson]

I started playing FFVIII for the first time about a month ago on PSVita. I was confused at first but I was really getting into it after a few hours. My Vita's save data corrupted so I will definitely get this on Switch. Awesome review HCG! Love your stories.

[@sufamidan1006]

I never acknowledged it as being anything but a masterpiece back in the day. It’s been a good few years since I played it, maybe 15 years but I adore it.

[@datriaxsondor590]

Loved the original. The "remaster", can go drown in an overflowing, unflushed toilet. 2:31 I think the term you're looking for is actually, "untouched". 2:55 For the price they are charging for this thing? You should be.

[@booglerized]

Datriax Sondor I cant decide to play the remaster or OG. What do u dislike about the remaster.

[@yeahyeahyeah0yeah]

Got it at release when I was 16, super hyped following having found my favourite game of all time in FFVII 2 years earlier. Loved it. FF was always about the story, characters, journey and music for me. High on nostalgia personally but highly recommended still today. I fired up the remaster last night!!

[@Revz8bit]

I still have my original FFVIII box also! :)

[@israelcarranza1985]

Same bro....same

[@drew8235]

Common practice in Japan in the past was to immediately trash all the code as soon as a game launched. They weren't in the practice of archiving. So that's most likely where the FF 8 code went. =(

[@ultrakwon]

Then why did they save the code for Final Fantasies 1-7?

[@CompleteProducer84]

I downloaded the FF8 intro cinematic too! I think I found it on Limewire or Soulseek? Unless they weren't out yet, I forget. It remains my favorite Final Fantasy cinematic to this date.

[@cosmicimmunity]

Omg yes the music is nostalgia! FF7, FF8, FF9, Parasite Eve 1 and 2 have the most memorable music back in the PS1 era which will probably always be my favorite console.

[@lankylemon8555]

Sadly I missed out on this game when I was young, I'm looking forward to getting this and having my first experience with it soon

[@colbyrodriguez1134]

Great review! This is one of my favorite games of all time, although I admit it's probably not considered the best FF. I still have my tattered strategy guide I used to carry around at school! Will probably buy this around Christmas as a gift for myself. Thanks for the positive videos, really appreciated when compared to constant complaining on other reviewers' channels!

[@dbradford259]

The font bothers me. I love this game over all the rest FF game minus FF Legend on gameboy even though that's not really a FF game.

[@apollolancer78]

I played FF8 20 years ago duringmy full time military service at camp. It brought back lotsa nostalgia. I agree about the music, I was so deeply fascinated by the music. However I am intrigued there are actually new music added to the game which didn't appear on the original before. I love the character designs, not so much about story nor combat moves, but their unlimited usage of GFs was astounding. Let's do a remake of VIII

[@Nintality]

Imo THE BEST in the series, FFVIII is amazing. Love everything about this game 👌

[@CHamlin86]

So far, I'm a little disappointed. Unless I missed something, you cannot change the controller layout as you could in the original game, which sucks because I'm more used to the Japanese style controls (O for OK, X for cancel). However, what I really don't like is that you can only move in 8 directions... in the original PS1 version, you could use the analog stick for more fluid and precise movement. In the remaster, the stick works but you still only move in 8 directions. I also don't like how the game is still in 4:3 aspect ratio. The high resolution character models look great up close, but they're kind of ugly when the background hasn't been update to match. Look at the shot from 2:37, those two guys standing in the background stick out like a sore thumb. The fact that this is just an enhancement of the PC version just comes off as kind of lazy to me.

[@markusvhane5087]

Pre-ordered, tried this morning before going to work, now I can't wait to go home and play...

[@deathnyx]

The first FF I played, good memories... Glad SE didn't forget about it especially now that is its 20th anniversary. Imo One of the most underrated games ever.

[@gamerjema243]

FFVIII was the first Final Fantasy I ever tried, back in my childhood. It was also my first RPG, and it got me hooked on both. It defined my future in gaming, so to speak. Man, I had my 32d birthday yesterday, and I completely accidentaly discovered that the remaster was released the very same day. Let's just say I knew what my birthday present to myself yesterday would be. ;p

[@WillKhami]

Man, I like your stories and memories of classic games so much. Reminds me of the good old times. Even though I played 8 at the time, I haven't appreciated it until I played latest entries in the series. Looking back, I can't help but believe that Sakaguchi was the soul of FF and Uematsu was its heart. You can't just take someone else's vision and execute it as well. Anyway, be Happy always.

[@Vic2point0]

The Draw system is actually a great idea. It basically just replaced the option of level-grinding with draw-grinding, if you will. If you want to become overpowered, you can even draw 100 of every spell! But it's much better than level-grinding because of how customizable and all out avoidable it was. You didn't have to do it. In fact, I have a playthrough here on KZbin proving that you can get through the entire game without drawing a single spell.

[@ajing00]

Level grinding was completely taken off for this game actually since the enemies scale with your level. The Draw system is not a bad idea, just a bit half baked. Because of how functioning works, it's always better to equip the magic and never use them aside from a few magics. It's a bummer that they completely threw this idea away rather than refining it. I looked at it kinda how job changes in FF3 felt like, a nice idea but not implemented well, then they refined it in FF5.

[@cedricrenard9195]

My friends and I had just the same experience!!! I brought over the intro on disc or usb (it's been so long!) to my two best friend's house and we watched the intro over and over and over thinking that this was the best intro sequence ever. We couldn't get over how realistic they made it. Pure nostalgia.

[@ASMRinGames]

This is the perfect opportunity for me to finally play it for the first time. It always seemed so interesting to me, but Square Enix acted like this game didn't exist until now.

[@devinhenderson5765]

Be prepared, you may or may not like The Junction System. When you get the tutorial for it, take it however much you can and just simply look it up on KZbin as someone will clearly and precisely explain it.

[@dalethechipmunk3873]

Battle Assist (maxed HP, always full ATB, can always use Limit Breaks) Press in the right analog stick, *Nintendo Switch*

[@interghost]

I love the old PS1 FF games. However, I always find they never live up to the memories I have of them. So that said I will miss this I guess ;)

[@jam_northstar6912]

Ff8 goat I played/finished this game about 26 times since ps1, ps2, psp, pc, android emulators, when the remastered came out I can't finish it anymore. Now I just like to watch other people play ff8

[@kayvanraamsdonk]

Happy console gamer: We never gonna have it looking better then this. Modder: hold my keyboard.

[@b3z3n14]

and when that happens i will buy it, till then i'll stick to my original steam version with mods :)

[@Phantom_Zer0]

Aryzens Journey - when that happens? it already exists and it looks better, i'm not hating, i'm just telling you that ff7 and ff8 already have HD mods that look better, look it up.

[@b3z3n14]

@@Phantom_Zer0 did you read my comment? I will stick to my original steam version "WITH MODS" I will buy the remaster if they end up modding that too, i have ff7 seventh haven installed and all mods on ff8, qhimm is a good place to be. How you'd get confused over my comment idk lol

[@Phantom_Zer0]

@@b3z3n14 - I misunderstood, I thought you meant this unmodified steam version.

[@b3z3n14]

@@Phantom_Zer0 xD

[@adambennett08330]

for those that dont know this game also has a physical version that comes with ffvii. it costs around $50-$60 tho on amazon. theres no download codes to get either game they are both on one cartirdge so if you prefer physical copies this is the only option available unless you go digital then its cheaper on eshop. another thing about the digital versions. ff7 ff8 and ff9 again are all on eshop. if add all 3 together they are the same price as the physical version of ff7 and ff8 and ive never seen a physical version of ff9 for the switch so im guessing if want physical you could get a cheap sd card thats big enough to hold the game then order a custom case on ebay for $4 plus shipping

[@Joe-Rad]

That Evil Dead 2 shirt though. Just when I thought I couldn't like this channel more.

[@cpames8773]

I love 8. I had a 64 and rented a playstation when it first came out.. was the first playstation game I played at home and I remember not having a memory pack and everytime I died I had to start over... it was so irritating and challenging lol but I was hooked on the cinematics and the story aspect of it compared to the 64 it was a breath of fresh air!

[@cpames8773]

Also the card game was fun and addicting!

[@genki23]

You should make a video of you telling stories like this about games from when you were younger

[@beastofdarknesss5822]

Hahaha was thinking the same happy console gamer review = happy gaming story time

[@codekhalil6437]

@10:39 perfectly timed. Nice editing there John hahah

[@chrisgilliver1]

I'm replaying it for the first time in 20 years (or so), and it's way better than its reputation suggests. The writing is genuinely wonderful (despite the twist) with a cast of characters that are hugely likeable, including Squall. The music is really evocative and I miss those PS1 era pre-rendered backgrounds. Yep, this is definitely one of my favourite Final Fantasies and better than every mainline game that followed except IX.

[@foosbooze263]

Playing it now. Man Squaresoft was the best. After finishing it, I’ll have played 7-10. Loved every moment so far. Following up with 6,4 and 12. Cannot wait.

[@khaled00962]

for magic you can make it without drawing, play card and won allot and transfer these cards into items, then use the ability from some GF to make magic from these items, I always finish my first CD with full high level Magic for all my characters, this game is so easy when you know what you doing.

[@kmojnihu8]

The only time you really have to draw is during boss fights to get GFs. Almost all magic can be obtained through GF abilities with pretty minimal effort. I really like the draw system because it really is pretty optional. If you want to be completely OP you can take the time to draw grind all of the magic. Great video though man. I love your positive outlook and how excited you get.

[@somebodies]

Now Squall's in-game model doesn't match the CG cutscenes and character portraits. And Siren has been censored. This is supposed to be a remaster but they are going out of their way to make the game worse instead of better.

[@thomasj.9686]

The cheat/QOL change I wanted for them to add in the most is anything that makes drawing magic less tedious. Maybe boost the number of magic drawn per command/draw point by 10 or so. Or even get a 100 instantly per draw point. Sadly, this is a missed opportunity.

[@Footender]

Looks like if FF VIII was on the Dreamcast. Not bad

[@KnightzANT]

right analog stick doesnt move the world map screen camera anymore... :(

[@pauldavis7318]

The right analog stick didn't move the camera in the original PlayStation 1 version either.

[@gureguru4694]

my childhood remastered. when life was easier. hope someone makes a summon compilation vid with this one.

[@grandexporter]

Ff8 made those years of life worth living...

[@Moonwalker86]

This was my first time RPG ever and my entry point to Final Fantasy universe and how I learned English.

[@Glitch.-_-.]

Ff8 is literally the best final fantasy game ever released. Its amazing!!!

[@SolidMGSnake]

Anyone notice the renzokuken limit break Tigger bar is not 60fps it's harder to hit the trigger since the framerate is now shit. Also no rumble?!

[@agnieszkaidziorek7012]

It's very hard to hit the trigger- so frustrating... I can't find the option to turn on the vibrations which really helped me on PSone with Renzokuken.

[@JudgmenTaichi]

Time to finally finish my FFVIII journey. My cousin broke Disc 2 when I first got it and my parents wouldn't buy me another copy so I haven't played it since.

[@RyanBroome-k9p]

What a bummer that sucks

[@Juanpabloceballosgarcia]

My favorite Final Fantasy game in the series! 🎉