The Complete Unabridged Timeline of Final Fantasy VIII [The Legend of Hyne]

[@FinalFantasyUnion]

Part 2, which covers The Sorceress War, is now live: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5WZnoyagb2AaKM

[@jordanchristensen3969]

The final fantasy game that got me INTO final fantasy. This is awesome. Thank you

[@Anomaly1618]

Samsies!

[@djblaklite]

Same here! I LOVE 8

[@ProMr.FrazierXV]

Ditto

[@1Akarikotsu]

Same that demo had me in a chokehold

[@maikolverasson1735]

Same here, my entry way to the games.

[@null.psyche]

I'm starting to wonder if I was paying attention the couple times I've played and beaten FF8, because a lot of this historical lore feels like new information to me.

[@LongTran-kp3kz]

That's because a loot of this lore doesn't come up in the game itself. It's either very much glossed over, not mentioned, and/or is only mentioned in supplemental material like the Ultimania guides, sadly. The bits about Hyne and Centra are the most obvious nods in the game proper, along with the end bits about Esthar prior to the outbreak of the Sorceress War. Same with the Sorceress Knight lore, but most of that was condensed in some statements made by Seifer in relation to his 'romantic dream' and the movie he watched, that Laguna starred in, based on the lore of Zephyr the Sorceress Knight. ironically, Squall himself becomes the very definition of a Sorceress Knight through the course of the game and is basically what Seifer wanted to be but failed at while squall himself never even tried to be anything other than an edge lord. I get the feeling that it was the same for the best of the Sorceress Knights in the past too.

[@royalapples9707]

I had the same feeling after playing it too!

[@RRembrandt]

​@@LongTran-kp3kzah. So an ff15 syndrome

[@davids2977]

The stuff is so buried in snippets in the game, it’s very easy to miss or not put it tighter.

[@RRembrandt]

@@davids2977 that makes a bad world and lore building tho. Just like ff15

[@ferrisie]

Genuinely think this is one of the best videos you’ve ever created. Loved it and cannot wait to see more! I like the idea of the Squall/Laguna deep dive. Really enjoying this kind of lore style video.

[@FinalFantasyUnion]

Thank you so much, we're so happy to hear the video resonates with you! We've already done quite a bit of work on what could become the "Laguna arc" and it's looking pretty spectacular so far. ~Darryl

[@Tarnished_Battosai]

Facts

[@professorsosa880]

FF8 is so beautifully crafted, and yet so incomplete according to Nojima, due to everything that was cut off. Yet, it's an outstanding game. I really love this game.

[@roxstar5088]

I'm really hoping we see a FF8 remake one day that restores the true vision of the game

[@Maneru5978]

It needs a Remake with all that was cut off

[@christopherschmidt8343]

GIVE ME MORE VIII HISTORY!!! Fantastic piece of work.

[@gabrielmorga2326]

Watch the channel "Japanese games are art" is another take about that.

[@ndremas1660]

This was the first Final Fantasy game I ever played and it holds a special place in my heart. Watching Shiva pop out of an ice crystal and blast the enemy with a blizzard awoke the nerd in me and I was never the same.

[@momintim]

Same I remember seeing this in the game store EB Games and asked my mom for it after that manager at the store was talking about the story, and I had never heard of or played an RPG before since i had come from the Mario and Megan Man type games.

[@wizardddy3023]

That's almost exactly how my FF8 experience started. I saw someone else playing FF8 in a Playstation Caffe (like a LAN Caffe, but with Playstation), and use Shiva and Brothers. And I was hooked. To this day it's one of my all time favorite games.

[@camma12]

It awoke something else in me 😅

[@thatonecomicbookguy]

*FF8 Fan Story* A couple of months ago, I was hesitant to play FF8 for a long time. After beating FF7 & 9, I decided to give FF8 another shot. Earlier that day, I was at my local flea market and I just so happened to find the official guide for the game (which is a really good guide btw). I followed the guide, beat the game, and eventually got the platinum. Even though it’s a very different Final Fantasy compared the previous entries, FF8 is a good game!

[@karagravis]

The only downside it has is the plot structure, not the theme or the pacing, those are good, but the structure and serious logic issues with many, many, MANY irregularities and inconsistencies, overall just a lack of sense, and possibly due to the story being constantly remade and/or expanded or shortened for whatever reason. Musically it's amazing, some of the best tracks in the entire saga, some of the best aesthetics and design, some of the best cinematics and enemy designs too.

[@shininginthed7435]

@@karagravis As a "cinematic" experience it's impressive how well it has aged despite the pass of time. I'm replaying the game after almost two decades and I still find myself marveling at most cutscenes. I didn't get too far in the story when I played FF VIII for the first time in my early teens, but I'm aware of the criticism. I want to complete the whole game this time to have an informed opinion, but so far I like the characters and interactions. A lot are cheesy, but in a fun way.

[@karagravis]

@@shininginthed7435 Oh, listen, don't get me wrong, *I LOVE THIS GAME* for many reason, okay?, particularly the insanely amazing soundtrack, artistic design, style and overall elegance, deliberately edgy dialogue, and overall irreverences, it's a very different experience from VII and IX, it's a very unique take, and the plot, no matter how silly and filled with holes, it's fun and entertaining, and that's what's all about. EDIT: As a matter of fact this is the game that I've bought repeteadly the most. I have a physical copy that I bought at release, the steam copy, and the remastered copy. I bought this game three times.

[@Talbot-8520]

Speaking of lore and symbolism in FF8, one major motif I previously never noticed is the prevalence of "The Moon". It is EVERYWHERE in FF8. It features predominantly in the sky of almost every pre-rendered background, even during the daytime, just ominously staring down on the party with exaggerated size. The very first visual in the demo disk is of the Balamb Garden ships moving over a reflection of the moon. All of which foreshadow the Lunar Cry in Disk 3. I'm not sure if it is intentional, but I love the interpretation of Ultemecia's name being roughly translated from "Artemisia" - as in "Artemis, Goddess of the Moon". And the moon we see in the background symbolizes her looming presence throughout the game. Or alternatively, if Hyne controls Ultemecia, perhaps Hyne IS the moon? Periodically sending disaster to Earth to weed out the humans. That is my headcanon at least. Looking forward to parts 2 and 3 of this series!

[@Jester_Jean]

My favourite personal headcanon is that Hyne manipulates Artemisia into using the time compression spell to wipe out all of humanity and her final phase is actually Hyne junctioned to Artemisia with him being the top part and her being the lower part of the boss.

[@SelphieTheNutter]

Whatever order you want to release the video's is fine by me. I'm just happy to see FF8 get some real love for a change, and not just be lumbered with forced love sparked by fans expectations. Brilliant video, I'm looking forward to the latest edition to this playlist series of yours.

[@jrtomsic]

45 minute FF8 video: 🙂 45 minute individual parts: 🤤

[@riry0ku]

Literally this. I've been on an FF8 lore binge recently and my friend linked me this. My reply was "awww it's only 45 mins long". I just finished watching and replied to him again "YAY ITS ONLY A PART 1".

[@ragingdragon5646]

This is one my favorite final fantasy games so I am so happy to hear this

[@symol30872]

Final Fantasy VIII is incredible, loved it when it released and it's still my favourite out of the 'classic' Final Fantasy games.

[@Nazarick]

Thank you so much for doing a deep dive on my first and favorite RPG of all time. I've replayed FFVIII so many times since '99 and still picked up new lore pieces in your video. Looking forward to watching this whole series!

[@L.Drizzle]

Honestly FF8 might be the deepest and densest in the series when it comes to world building and background lore. And the beauty is, you can miss so, so much of it if you merely run through the main story beats. For the few who do leave no stone unturned though, so much of the world, narrative moments and characters are beautifully recontextualised in a way that draws out so many incredibly clever parallels, foreshadowing and subtle nods. What a triumph of a game.

[@ninestar_]

It's easily the most enigmatic FF. The game is very well thought out, it's just that the little details are lost to most who play the game for the first time. Even after so many years sometimes my brain comes back to FF8 and I start thinking on some of the weirder concepts and how they were never really explained. That does not happen to me for other FF titles. Where I kinda have to fill in the gaps with some of the smaller tidbits of information the game does provide. And let's not get started on some of the crazier fan theories. I've never seen a game where so many details and coincidences add up so well that it's almost like it was all intended.

[@RRembrandt]

Eh... It is deep but almost all ffs have deep lore.

[@FinalFantasyUnion]

Thank you so much for watching the video! If you have a spare 5 minutes to fill-out a Final Fantasy Survey we're running right now, it'd be much appreciated: tinyurl.com/fullffsurvey

[@stuartpenzer773]

I haven't got the end of the video yet, admittedly, but I'd love to know where this info comes from? I know you gotta fill in the gaps here and there but there's quite alot that must be sourced from somewhere

[@Nathaniel-10-56A]

Yo! Do this for 10, that timeline confounds me.

[@Gregoroth_Durai]

Love this direction FFU is going. I was giddy upon seeing the announcement of this vid, and far more so upon watching and learning its a series. Excellent work!

[@welljer]

Ff8 is a sleeper excellent game. And I am glad this video talks about the depth of the world building

[@DroWarriorOfLight]

oh neat! I really like this deep dive / lore-focused background stuff from these games, this will be nice!

[@ecosmith7852]

I like the Laguna and Squall idea

[@watching.learning]

Part 2 Laguna; part 3 Squall sounds good timeline-wise.

[@mikenorman2480]

This content is fantastic (literally one of the best bits of FF content out there) and is the thing that has gotten me to hit that subscribe button after years of watching / listening to your stuff on and off. Keep up the great work!

[@Arianrhod3]

This is my favorite FF to replay over and over and I never knew most of this lore. What a great deep dive. Thank you for all your hard work. I love how relaxing your videos are too.

[@captainofeverything7936]

Man, I love seeing all the love people are giving ff8 my personal favorite. The laguna and Squall idea is great. Keep up the fantastic work man loved the video.

[@9hamos8]

Perfect job showing the deep lore of my favourite Final Fantasy. Make two more parts as you are intending. It does worth it.

[@azzmatazz7417]

I have always loved the lore of Final Fantasy VIII, and it is great to see it done justice here. Very much looking forward to Parts 2 and 3.

[@EdRGaming]

It's my favourite game of all time and just started playing it again so very happy this video is out with the full story!

[@TheFloorballer]

I love when you publish videos regarding FF VIII

[@kyronyxng3347]

Humanity: what is my purpose? Hyne: you pass butter Humanity: okay done now what? Hyne: zzzzzzz Humanity: you snooze you lose

[@Tychonious]

No bro

[@twelfthknight]

FFVIII is the FF I've replayed the most. There's just something about it that every time I see it on my shelf I feel compelled to slide the disc in and start a new game. It's a very homey setting, the music and background art makes just being in the world strangely inviting. However, I really couldn't tell you much about its lore. After seeing this video I wish they incorporated more of it openly into the main story, especially the genesis and tumultuous history of Sorceresses.

[@dreamerlotus]

I'm the same, they say when you are 14 that is the time your favourite song comes along. Well I guess for me 14 is when my favourite game came along.

[@nicolasray1571]

Your videos always manage to revitalize my love of FFVIII. There’s something about this game that defies easy descriptions.

[@BlackSteelKeyChain]

This video could not have come at a weirder time ngl. I’m literally just now going through a FF8 obsession watching lore & gameplay videos of it. I’m right at the edge of just buying the remaster and playing it now. YT algorithm is crazy sometimes just earlier this month I saw a video about fevers the day before I got sick

[@not_jon_vendi]

I don't know how I missed this video. I don't know how you put this together, the amount of research must have been insane. I watched part 2 before this one and came back to watch it. The lore in this game is incredibly deep and untapped. I wish square would do something with it but, I'll tell ya what, this video is just as good (probably better) than anything they would put out! Incredible work. This is my favorite video you guys have done and the series so far is astronomically better than any other lore I've read or watched on this game. Thank you

[@rosaheartlily]

FFVIII is my favourite game - not just my favourite FF - and I'm just really happy to see it getting this kind of love. How you approach the remaining episodes doesn't matter to me so much as the fact that you're producing them in the first place. I knew some of this lore but I think I've picked it up outside the game - probably from one of your videos! I would love a video looking at Cid & Edea's relationship. I always felt the game didn't give it enough attention and there are so few fanfics about them that I was forced to write my own :D Which are now over 20 years old...

[@nafslee]

Super impressed with your coverage of the lore so far! As a huge FFVIII fan, I'm very content with having a part 2 on Laguna and part 3 on Squall

[@Most-Weasel]

This adds a lot of new (old) context to the world and history of FF8 which, although being in the game world from the start, was not heavily presented as one played. I wonder why Square didn't put more emphasis on giving us this background story from the start?

[@jessl1934]

They had to cut a ton from the game due to restrictions placed on the development timeframe. The Laguna flashbacks were supposed to be more akin to half of the game rather than being brief interludes and so much of Laguna's story was intended to intertwine with Squall's present-day story but much of this got cut back because of constraints. They didn't get a chance to flesh out the broader backstory or lore, let alone Laguna's story.

[@Tython82]

​@jessl1934 To further clarify, Square back in the day had strict 2 year dev cycles, so if they couldn't fit everything within 2 years, they had to cut it

[@alexanderwoodbury5593]

Thank you so much for this piece. 8 is one of the most rich and most misunderstood installments in the franchise out of ignorance of its lore and its gameplay delivery (in the opinions of some). This piece brings a whole new element of cool to my already favorite story ever. It does so with the same love and appreciation I have for it. I can’t thank you enough!

[@DonCactuar]

Great idea for a series! It helps a ton to tie all pieces of lore that most people miss out either for being buried on supplementary material or being just sprinkled through the game so that you forget it/pay little attention to it.I think the idea for splitting the series into Laguna & Squall makes complete sense. Cheers

[@tritonecrisantemo649]

Incredible! This game introduced me to FF but I absolutely NEVER caught on the depths of the game that this video portrays. Well Done!

[@joaquin9184]

This was the second Final Fantasy game I played, and it’s my favorite. Thank you so much for this video! I love learning more about the lore of this masterpiece

[@artimecion]

It's interesting as the whole backstory of sorceresses and their knights seems to have be the same concept of summoners and their guardians. I wonder if this was an influence on the creation of X.

[@steak9194]

I remember what happened now - I was busy when you put this out and meant to come back to this and totally forgot and I can't believe I did because this was amazing. I loved every minute of this, my only real wish is that all of this rad lore had made it into the game. great working, looking forward to part 2 (:

[@Sandsawks]

This is an awesome video. I never knew all the history behind the Lunar cry. Your plan on the series sounds great and sounds chronological as well. Looking forward to the next one!

[@ArcadeTheatre]

Great detail! I never realized how similar FF8's and FF16's creation stories are - with the creator going into a deep sleep while humanity develops on its own. Very cool.

[@asmodeusml]

Wow, I have played through FF8 multiple times, and I have no recollection of some of this lore being in the game. That Hyne bit is a bit reminiscent of Xenogears, though. Amazing work, as always.

[@ThwipThwipBoom]

This was a really great video, I enjoyed it a lot

[@terryhand5871]

FF8 was always my favourite of the series, maybe nostalgia plays a part in that, but it is what it is! Been following you guys for a while now, your material is fantastic and I really enjoyed this video, well done Daryl and the team. To answer the question, whatever you do, I will be looking forward to watching it, the plan you laid out sounds good to me! Keen for any FF8 content you guys make.

[@janthummler3548]

Mate, I played this game way back when it was first released and came back to it several times. Yet never had I picked up on there being THIS much history! And there is a part two coming?! I am hyped! Thanks for your work!

[@TheLightningBlade]

With all this history and lore in FF8.. it still baffles me that we haven’t gotten a FF8-2 yet

[@djblaklite]

I'm glad we haven't.

[@v-ia]

let's be real if they made any kind of adaptation to ff8 these days we'd find dozens of reasons to hate it. it wouldn't live up to nostalgia i'm afraid

[@jaylee9552]

They just wouldn't do that with ff8 thou I think it could go down well.

[@TheLightningBlade]

@@v-ia I can see your point, but to be honest though if they were to pick up where they left off and center the story around the lore and apply it to the main cast I think they create a rich story

[@welcome_to_macnelsonworld]

We need a before ffx

[@calvinthurston1441]

Thank you so much! I had no idead all this was buried in the game! Makes some of the dialog make sense now. Hell the basis for the worls structure! Sick as usual yall!

[@artemiski1990]

I'm actually glad that the game didn't jam this lore down our throats. It makes it feel more interesting and enchanted when you actually do look for the historical details, but also, it's just refreshing to play something with a story that's told through its characters. The history and politics are the backdrop, but life happens between people.

[@heavymetalweatherman7774]

My second favorite in the series and one of my all time favorite video game stories. I think y'all did an incredible job with this video! Well-written and edited. For the rest of the story, I'm cool with you keeping it in chronological order (ironic, considering where the story heads), with a history of Laguna and then Squall. Can't wait to see more!

[@niinamo1369]

AMAZING VIDEO SERIES! The Final Fantasy series is so rich in history and Lore and I love all hearing all about the complete timelines and histories. Keep up all the Fantastic Work!!!!❤❤❤ I like the idea of the Laguna part and the Squall Part! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🤓😃🤓

[@natehancock9663]

This was so good, and incredible amount of effort. I loved this. Thank you for this, seriously!

[@Manny714Illustration]

Hi Final Fnatasy Union Team! This was an awesome video. I strapped in and listened to the entire video and it was very fascinating to dive deeper into the origins of ff8. This was my first final fantasy. I got to play it off the pizza hut demo haha. I fell in love with it and eventually had a chance to play it, it's my favorite ff game outside of 4. I'm looking forward to part too as I've always loved learning more about Sorcereress.

[@BiggestChungus21]

We got lazy gods, we got magic, we got moon monsters, we got Spartans, we got Atheneans, we got it all bro

[@TupieSan]

Thank you for making this! FF8 has been a huge part of my childhood ❤

[@syndehpua5069]

Thank you for going this in depth of my favourite FF!🤩 Can’t wait for part 2

[@krayziedogg824]

This is very well done! Great job!

[@zorasaphire]

I was so sad to see this came out yesterday. I can't wait for the next parts. This is my favorite final fantasy game. I'm down for whatever you cover next, but I like your idea of covering Laguna's and Squall's arcs individually. Anyway, great video!

[@cGousha]

Wow, this is an amazing amount of detail I've never heard before! Serious major kudos for assembling this!

[@reaganching1967]

By god that was amazing. definitely excited for part 2 or 3 or 4.... I don't know what kind of research and study you did to make this video but man it's all worth it. Clap.

[@The_Fooster]

That was quite a few questions in that survey. Excited to see how you use it! As always, great video. I like the idea of keeping this series in strictly chronological order, so almost all Laguna first, then Squall.

[@sparkyshorts1517]

Fantastic! Cannot wait for Part 2! I think delving into the Sorceress War is prudent, but I really like your idea of Laguna's tale preceding Squall's in their own parts. I also appreciated the Atlantean Pompeiian imagery. Very well written. Great job, All!

[@llamaclipz]

Video starts at 3:18

[@KnightshadeKail]

This was very enjoyable. I can't wait to see part two. As for the question asked, I agree with your plans to focus part two on Laguna's arc and then part three on Squall's

[@s.l.r.9407]

Thank you for giving FFVIII some love, this video is great!

[@harobed96]

I love getting to see all the lore presented in such an engaging and organised way! Brilliant 🤩

[@JD931-hj4lb]

Have this on the background while I play Final Fantasy VIII. Truly relaxing.

[@C0Stanza7]

One of your best videos, genuinely excited for part 2 & 3 however you decide to build it out. Not sure if i missed all this as a teen or its just been TOO long since I've last played ff8, but this has me itching to go again on it!

[@brandonkellerson7640]

This video was amazing, I cannot wait for the rest of the story! I've played FF8 so many times and still didn't know this level of lore. Wonderful work, please keep them coming

[@dadgamer7766]

i appreciate this,.. ffviii is actually my intro to gaming thats why this game is close to my heart, u got a subscriber in me

[@Crossfire951]

Looking forward to part 2.

[@Yukari_MAiG]

Thank you for the video. Absolute love listening to lore of my favorite FF game (and Tactics). Especially back story like this where most people wouldn't know! Part 2 on Laguna and part 3 on Squall sounds great!

[@judgeshred66]

Great vid, very much looking forward to part 2. There are so many questions that need to be addressed (eg Elllones powers, what the heck Ultima / Omega weapon is etc) However you get there, it needs to discuss Ultimecias final form, and the likelihood that you’re actually fighting Hyne The Magician!

[@Ch40ticC4su4l]

Keep going chronologically! Loving this so far

[@lordsnia2152]

don't know how you want too approach it, just keep up the good quality. lore videos are a blessing

[@williamseltzer9916]

I love the lore content! Would love to hear more of Lagunas era and how the past affected the events as well as how it affected the future.

[@JoshWiniberg]

This is probably the best video on FF lore I've ever seen, in that it contains so much I didn't know and really makes sense of the game. I don't replay VIII as often as the others but I can't wait to play it again with this background knowledge. Thank you!

[@FinalFantasyUnion]

Wow, thank you so much, that's incredibly kind of you to say! ~Darryl

[@JoshWiniberg]

​@@FinalFantasyUnion Keep em coming! I'm in Southend so not far from London, and would love to get to one of the quizzes some time. Just waiting for the stars to align. Keep up the great work and thanks for everything you bring to the community.

[@dallinjc]

I love viii and somehow missed all of this. Thanks! It’s time for a replay I think

[@ElTaitronAnim]

Wow, I don't think I knew hardly any of this stuff. I either didn't end up finding the info, or forgot it, or perhaps it comes out of the Ultimania(s). It really helps explain the world and makes more sense of everything. Excellent video!

[@Gregoroth_Durai]

Finally finished this. Was such a pleasure. Looking forward to proceeding with Laguna/Squall. And more so hoping this is a sign of more content like this in the future. Especially Ivalice related.

[@MrFirecasters]

Hyne’s slumber is so relatable. Also a great vid, thank you! 🙏🏻

[@Flamsterette]

Thanks for the upload!

[@stephanielove2847]

FFVIII is my favorite of the single digit titles. It hit me at that perfect age where Squalls angst really resonated with me, all while striking wonder into my developing brain. Damn shame SE borked the remaster. Couldnt even bring myself to buy it. bastards.

[@maikolverasson1735]

LOVED IT, thank you so so much. I felt FF8 was neglected so much and you and this video are proving me so wrong. Cheers!

[@Beastlango]

Can’t wait for the next parts, keep up the amazing work

[@iohanngarcia]

Liked and Commenting to contribute to the algorithm and engagement. You and your teams hard work are very much appreciated creating such top tier content.

[@aurelienellena8138]

amazing video, we have much of it explained ingame but it's been several times that a video explain best the lore of the game than the game itself curiously unless I was just too young and not paying enough attention

[@ZAquadix]

You always put fantastic work into these

[@classicsagat]

Perfect for watching while eating lunch! This was great, thanks dude!

[@ptabe1]

Excellent video. Such an unfairly maligned Final Fantasy. It deserves more love. Laguna/Squall idea sounds great!

[@arecord86]

Great video as always team FFU!!! Following the Laguna arc first is a good idea.

[@SlashEdges]

Ai like how this way of story telling is great. Cant wait to see more.

[@geofferyphillip1134]

Such an excellent video, it’s clear that you love ff8 and that’s refreshing. FF8 is my fave in the series!

[@bunkmastab]

Can't wait for part 2! The Laguna then Squall timeline sounds like a great way to do it

[@CasKel_YT]

My 2nd favorite FF is VIII and I did not know all that until now! Thanks for this!

[@gastonalcazar130]

This was very informative, I think not having a character focus opens up an understanding of the world that hosts them.

[@maliky56572]

Amazing work! I'd love to see other FF titles done like this

[@Chaos0310]

Absolutely beautiful! Cant wait for part 2!!!

[@Z1nt3k]

Excellent work. I quite enjoyed this.

[@StriderWolf]

just finished the video. cant wait for part 2. I do like the idea of part 2 being all about Laguna's story so that part 3 can wrap things up with Squall's arc.