280°

Why is Final Fantasy VIII so Divisive?

The Nerd Stash: "Final Fantasy VIII is one of my favorite games in the series and after the relatively recent re-releases of VII & IX, I’ve been waiting patiently for the remaster of the seemingly forgotten entry. At one point it had seemed as if we would never get to play Final Fantasy VIII on current consoles. Thankfully, this is no longer the case as Square Enix has now announced its release later in the year for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. I for one, couldn’t be more excited.
It turns out though that not everyone shares my excitement. After speaking to many people and trawling the depths of the internet, I have discovered that some people absolutely despise Final Fantasy VIII. They don’t just dislike it a little, they hate it. And then you have the other side of the coin, people like me, who love it."

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thenerdstash.com
Godmars2901717d ago

Generally, by the time you start to notice the ever mounting plot holes and contradictions, you're invested not only in the characters but the story. Which has an ever mounting amount of plot holes and contradictions.

For me, it was Squall not only surviving 20+ foot skull dive after being impaled through a shoulder if not chest, but waking up fully healed in an anti-prison - and immediately being able to use magic to escape.

Though what really irks me is that Square has only gotten lazier as storytellers and world-builders since then.

pasta_spice1716d ago

20 foot? He only fell about 3 feet off Edea's parade float.

-Foxtrot1716d ago

Yeah and obviously Edea wanted him alive to interrogate him.

In the next prison scene with Selphie she uses cure to heal someone

Godmars2901716d ago (Edited 1716d ago )

3 feet? Really?

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

REALLY?!
Was already giving too much by using "shoulder" but you just had to go for that mile, didn't you?

@Foxtrot:
The anti-magic prison! the freaking anti-magic prison!

pasta_spice1716d ago

Godmars290: I know what the FMV cutscene looks like and it doesn't change my opinion. Edea's parade float isn't very high off the ground. Squall doesn't fall any further than a few feet...
http://ffshrine.org/ff8/fmv...

lalalala1715d ago

Probably not 3 feet or 20 feet, but somewhere in between and a survivable fall.

If you played FF8 first, you will have loved it, if you played FF7 first, you probably wouldn't have liked it at all. Simple as that it changed too much stuff for the FF7 fans.

Godmars2901715d ago

@lalalala:
I played FF1 when it first came out. And while the surrealism in the series from 1-6 was perfectly fine and serviceable for the graphics they were presented in, that persistent surrealism has become a growing issue as the games take on more realistic appearances.

And still, people have suffered fatal injuries fatal fall of bodily height when landing on THEIR HEAD let alone 3-20 feet. Nevermind the shock and internal damage involving a quarter foot thick icicle through their upper chest.

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SegaSaturn6691716d ago

Squall died from the encounter with Edea and his final unconscious moments make up the remainder of the game.

PiNkFaIrYbOi1716d ago

Ummmm, Yoshinori Kitase the director of the game said that theory wasn't true.

Exvalos1716d ago

I wish square would clear this fan theory up.

Shiken1716d ago

@Exvalos

They already did, it is not true. Some people just refuse to accept that fact however.

No different than the stupid "Link is dead in Majora's Mask" theory that people took as gospel as well, despite being debunked by creators and numerous lore related reasons that point to the contrary.

SegaSaturn6691716d ago

@PiNk

"“No, that is not true,” Kitase said, laughing. “I think he was actually stabbed around the shoulder area, so he was not dead. But that is a very interesting idea, so if we ever do make a remake of Final Fantasy VIII, I might go along with that story in mind.”

Also, he's just the producer. His voice doesn't necessarily reflect the author.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1716d ago
Brave_Losers_Unite1716d ago

@Godmars

Is this your first time playing a VIDEO GAME?

Godmars2901716d ago

Is this your first time commenting? Making an effort to communicate?

SAY SOMETHING!

I liked FF8 when I first played it, still do for the characters and overall story, thing is that when actually thinking about it there are a number of issues that only raises more questions.

quent1716d ago

He simply got disabled momentarily by being implaled in the heart, like that one time in that one vampires game

rainslacker1716d ago

That's one of those things you see in anime a lot. Where things you cant normally do become something more in a cut scene.

Godmars2901716d ago

No. Having character do things in cut scenes they can't when under player control is a strictly game related thing since, by definition, games are an interactive medium. And ignoring that, committing that crime, is something Square has been guilty of for some time.

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-Foxtrot1716d ago

Mostly because it can’t right out after the huge success of FFVII and newer fans brought in were like “wait, where the f*** is Cloud? A new story? We want a sequel to FFVII”

So the game got nit picked to the high heavens even though most of the things people complain about are exaggerated or things you could possibly nitpick FFVII or other FF games for.

For example the magic system, you didn’t need to just draw from enemies, there was so many ways to get magic yet people say you were forced to do it that one way.

Another. One minute people say the junction system is too complicated then in the next breath say it’s easy to exploit. So what is it hard or easy?

Squall was an “emo” yet you could have said the same about Cloud BUT playing the games the reason they are like that are explained through the story. Squall by the end is one of the best developed FF characters in the series

DedicatedDark1716d ago

It has waay more problems than what you are dismissing. The writing is rtarded.

-Foxtrot1716d ago

Oh please, it had the same issues you could nitpick ANY Final Fantasy for

It's writing? The writing has never been amazing in these games, the stories have been solid along with the concept but the way it's presented through dialogue and the like, never been the strongest suit.

1715d ago
Noclos1716d ago

Cloud is an emoish for a reason, he is a clone of Sepiroth, Jenova and holding Zack memories and that developed even more with Aerith death. Cloud is the most developed character ever espeacily with that amazing scene when he got all his true memories with Tifa and finding out the truth, "he isn't the person whom he think he is"

-Foxtrot1716d ago (Edited 1716d ago )

First off all Cloud being a Sepiroth clone is never really confirmed, he just decides to accept he is before pulling himself back together when he has a break down. Squall went through just as much shit

He never knew his mother, she died at child birth

His father never knew him, he was away fighting in the war and didn't even know he had one

He was dumped in an Orphanage and was picked on

He decided to trust someone again with Ellone only for her to also be taken away from him

He finally decided to close himself off for good

Then he goes through the entire journey of opening himself up again from a lonely selfish jerk to a brave heroic leader who then surrounds himself with friends and finally the girl he comes to love.

goldwyncq1716d ago

How tf is Cloud emo? I wish people would stop confusing FFVII Cloud with Advent Children Cloud, because FFVII Cloud is nowhere even close to being emo.

franwex1716d ago

Maybe 20 years ago FF7 being so huge was a reason for the division.

Two decades later that game is still divisive.

I think it’s just personal taste now. The love that FF8 fans for that game is simply not shared by everyone. It’s totally ok to enjoy FF8. But I can see why people get frustrated with it.

I like the Final Fantasy franchise pretty much because every game is so different from each other.

harmny1716d ago

Xenogears is better than any FF. Change my mind

franwex1715d ago

Their 2nd disc are finished. Mind change achieve.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1715d ago
1716d ago
DedicatedDark1716d ago (Edited 1716d ago )

Because it's garbage, but some people are so enthralled by the rubbish love story they refuse to accept it so.

Thus we must fight!

1716d ago
1716d ago
pietro12121716d ago

The story was a mess, the junction system/level scaling made the game too easy, but there was something about the characters that won me over.

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340°

10 PS1 Games That Actually Need A Remake

With hundreds of games, some of which are considered to be classics that hold up to this day, you’ve got the pick of the litter when it comes to choosing a potential remake

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culturedvultures.com
RaidenBlack23d ago

^This. THIS!
Stop remaking PS4 games!
Remake PS1 and PS2 games à la FF7R, RE1, Mafia, Half Life style ....
Make Legend of Dragoon, Legacy of Kain etc Remakes happen

darthv7223d ago

Legend of Dragoon... WTH is Sony doing just letting this one squander?

-Foxtrot23d ago

I wonder if their mindset is like “meh we have Final Fantasy what’s the point of our own JRPG”

FinalFantasyFanatic23d ago

@-Foxtrot,
Square-Enix had a long period there where it seems they didn't know what to do with Final Fantasy, I think that time period would have been a good time to revisit their classics and remake them. Now it seems they're going full steam ahead with the franchise, so they have less reason to revisit those older games. I wouldn't mind if they subcontracted them out to other developers, that and I don't trust SE to remake their older games.

Cacabunga22d ago

Simply because i do not think it will succeed.. maybe a bad example but e we got Medievil remake after many years fans have beg asking... result is It flopped hard. Remaking a JRPG is so risky. Only a bunch of hardcore gamers who played the original would buy it. If Sony put even more budget into it then it’s even more risky.

As i suggested before, i think they should start remaking like square did with Star Ocean. Or something similar to Octopath Traveller. Build up some hype and try on higher scale later on..

Terry_B23d ago

Let me tell you about PS1 games that should get a remake actually.

Jumping Flash (As a VR game)
Ridge Racer 1-4 as Ridge Racers 3..just like the pretty perfect PSP RR1.-2 games but with even more content
Xenogears
Cardinal Sin which was full of nice ideas for its time but was plagued by technical limitations
Bushido Blade ^^ just like CS
Bust A Groove.
WWF Attitude. With the same roster, same voices,Only slightly updated gameplay but current gen graphics
Dynasty Warriors..yes the fighting game that was similar to Tekken 2 while it had weapons.As nice as the DW games are..its a shame they never released a new fighting game

And while I am at it.

Thrill Kill ...hell yes.

KyRo23d ago

Ah Thrill Kill, the game that was banned/cancelled but everyone had played 😂 what a throwback!

darthv7223d ago

jumping Flash would make a great VR game. Im actually quite surprised nobody has thought to do that one... even on the indie side for something like the meta quest.

GhostMirror23d ago

Big yes to Jumping Flash! and Ridge Racer revivals. Bushido Blade was cool as well; it was pretty deep and so much different from other fighting games at the time. Einhander was another good non-RPG from Square, which was kind of rare for them in that era.

Didn’t Thrill Kill eventually get re-skinned and released with a Wu-Tang Clan license? 😂

FinalFantasyFanatic23d ago

I miss Ridge Racer so much, give me a new game or at least a collection of the older games! I had a blast playing Ridge Racer PSP on my PS4 a few months back.

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FinalFantasyFanatic23d ago

I cannot understand the current business practice of remaking games from the previous generation, especially when they are very much playable today and still hold up well, it's even worse when people are willing buying them again. The PS1 generation is so ripe for remakes, I know more than a few people who would clamour for a Xenogears remake, or almost any game from that list.

Ravenkiss23d ago

and Valkyrie Profile Lenneth. They did Star Ocean 1 & 2 R already, VPL should get the same treatment.

Redgrave23d ago

I assume this to mean that you aren't considering the PSP port to be the remake in this statement? Like a remake of that one?

FinalFantasyFanatic23d ago

That version is quite old though, that was 18 years ago, so doing a remake in the vain of Star Ocean might be worth it (I did not think the PSP was that old until I looked it up).

Knightofelemia23d ago

I'd be down for FF8, and Xenogears. But I would also be down for Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross. And I wish Namco would get off their ass and remake or remaster the Xenosaga trilogy.

FinalFantasyFanatic23d ago

There's been talk of a Xenosaga trilogy on the proviso that there was enough demand, I hope that actually happens one day.

Christopher23d ago

1. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
2. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
3. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
4. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
5. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
6. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
7. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
8. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
9. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
10. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

LoveSpuds23d ago

What a fantastic game that was!

Skuletor23d ago

You forgot Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

Snookies1223d ago

Why does From Software not do ANYTHING with this franchise... It's so sad... Can't they at least outsource it to someone to try a revival?

leahcim22d ago

masterpiece, best OST of all times.

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90°

Final Fantasy Games That Deserve the Remake Treatment

Final Fantasy has a long running history with numerous numbered titles and spin-offs, but which games stand to benefit from a remake?

gold_drake129d ago

i feel like all of them.
well except 2 haha.

shinoff2183129d ago

Agreed. Ff2 though can be made better, so it's not entirely a lost cause. Ff8 will gets its time. I do wish they'd do the old ones. From ff10 and up those ones still hold up pretty well.

kevco33128d ago

Honestly, I've always felt that VII and up 'hold up well' in that regard. The early 3D games just needed a cosmetic update. But the FFVII Remake is so different to the original in execution that a lot of games could be done in a similar fashion and feel far more modern.

I'm not saying that's a good or bad thing (that depends on your personal preference!), just that they could feel very different.

shinoff2183128d ago

Kevco I liked remake but I think your right. Idda been happy with a 1 to 1 remake that looked like ever crisis to. Or both

I'd just love I square would one day give us a turned based one with today's graphics. I can't really think of a jrpg that does that.

andy85128d ago

I'd rather the 13 trilogy just be ported tbh. No matter what you think if it, it shouldn't be the only numbered offline games not playable on new consoles. But naturally I'd play the **** out of 8-12 remakes.

shinoff2183128d ago

I do agree. I'd give it another shot even though I didn't like it at first. My taste change over time. Gta 4 for instance I was so disappointed it lacked so much of what san andreas had I didn't play it for like 5 years. One day went to a semi pro football game(American football) came home drunk and decided to try 4 again. I actually liked it after giving it a fair shot.

Rebel_Scum128d ago

Just make new games. Not every game needs to be remade.

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50°

All Of The Final, Final Fantasy Bosses, Ranked

BLG writes: "Final Fantasy bosses are swimming with challenging and exciting battles. Over the course of the series, the game has evolved from turn-based battles to more action-oriented gameplay. That has allowed players to see a variety of battles and types if you’ve played multiple entries across the decades. Bosses you see in more recent games like Final Fantasy 15 are grander in scale than those you might have seen on the Super Nintendo in the 1990s. That doesn’t always equate to them being more legendary, though. "

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bosslevelgamer.com
RavenWolfx759d ago

Yeah, Yu Yevon was such a disappointment.