FINAL FANTASY VIII

FINAL FANTASY VIII

SCE Australia, Square, Eidos Interactive, Microsoft Studios, Square Enix
Release date: 1999-01-11 | Platforms: PC, PLAYSTATION2, PLAYSTATION4, PLAYSTATION1, PS_VITA, PSP, PLAYSTATION3.

Final Fantasy VIII is a Japanese role-playing game, the eight main installments in Final Fantasy series.

Plot and setting

Like most other Final Fantasy entries, the game takes place in an entirely new world that is not connected with previous games in the series. It can be described as the mix of modern Europe and futuristic setting with high fantasy influences. The game follows six main heroes, five of which are members of the elite military organization called SeeD, on their quest to defeat Ultimecia, an evil sorceress who wishes to compress time. Like its predecessor, Final Fantasy VII, the game heavily focuses on its story, characters and game world exposure.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Final Fantasy VIII shares many similarities with other JRPGs of that era. The player can explore the overworld, visit different locations such as town, settlements, forests, interact with NPCs and fight numerous types of monsters in turn-based battles.
While the world exploration aspect, for the most part, is similar to that of the previous game, the battle system has several notable differences. The combat in the game is centered on Junction system that allows the player to junction summoned monsters known as Guardian Forces to platy members. That gives characters the ability to use various magic, alter their stats and draw spells from enemies during the battles. Because of the system’s flexibility regarding character customization, the game is absent of job system typical for the series.

Background

DEVELOPERS

Background for Ken Narita
Ken Narita

Ken Narita

programmer

Ken Narita is a games programmer who started the games industry career in 1900. Since then, Narita has been working with Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Square and SquareSoft. Narita started as the programmer of Crystal War. Next, Ken Narita worked on Final Fantasy IV (1991) taking on the role of programmer. Narita also worked on FINAL FANTASY V developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment for PC, iOS, Android and PlayStation 3. Most lately, Ken Narita worked on Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin.

Background for Hiroyuki Ito
Hiroyuki Ito

Hiroyuki Ito

designer

Hiroyuki Ito is a games director, producer and designer. Ito has been working with Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Square and SquareSoft. Ito's first published game was Rad Racer released in 1987. Then, Hiroyuki Ito went on to work on Rad Racer II as the designer. Afterwards, Hiroyuki Ito worked on FINAL FANTASY V developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 1992. The latest work of Hiroyuki Ito was The World Ends with You: Final Remix, published in 2018.

Background for Yusuke Naora
Yusuke Naora

Yusuke Naora

artist

Yusuke Naora is a games writer, artist and producer. Naora has been working with Square Enix, Square, SquareSoft and Media Vision. Naora's first published game was Final Fantasy VII released in 1997. Next, Yusuke Naora worked on FINAL FANTASY VIII taking on the role of artist. Afterwards, Yusuke Naora worked on Chaos Rings developed by Media Vision in 2010. The latest work of Yusuke Naora was Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ignis, published in 2017. Currently, Naora is developing Code Age Commanders. The release date is yet to be announced.

Background for Shinji Hashimoto
Shinji Hashimoto

Shinji Hashimoto

producer

Shinji Hashimoto is a games producer. Hashimoto has been working with Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Square and GUILD STUDIO. Hashimoto's first game was Front Mission (1995) published by Square Enix for Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation and PS Vita in 1995. After that, Shinji Hashimoto took part as the producer of Treasure Hunter G. Later, Hashimoto also was part of the team who developed Final Fantasy XV: Episode Prompto published by Square Enix for PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Most lately, Shinji Hashimoto worked on Kingdom Hearts III. Currently, Hashimoto is developing Driving Emotion Type-S. The release date is yet to be announced.

Background for Yoshinori Kitase
Yoshinori Kitase

Yoshinori Kitase

producer

Yoshinori Kitase is a games writer, director, producer and designer. Kitase has been working with Square Enix, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square and Ltd.. Kitase's first game was Final Fantasy Adventure published by Sunsoft for Nintendo Switch and Game Boy in 1991. Then, Yoshinori Kitase went on to work on Romancing SaGa as the designer. Later, Kitase also was part of the team who developed Final Fantasy VII published by Square Enix for PC, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. The latest work of Yoshinori Kitase was Legend of the Holy Sword, published in 2024. Currently, Kitase is developing Kingdom Hearts IV with Square Enix. The release date is yet to be announced.

Background for Kazushige Nojima
Kazushige Nojima

Kazushige Nojima

writer

Kazushige Nojima is a games writer and director. Nojima has been working with Square Enix, Koei Tecmo, Square and Ltd.. Nojima started in 1996 as the director of Bahamut Lagoon. Next, Kazushige Nojima worked on Final Fantasy VII (1997) taking on the role of writer. Afterwards, Kazushige Nojima worked on Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII developed by Square Enix in 2007. The latest work of Kazushige Nojima was Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, published in 2024. Now, Nojima has joined the team of Sakura Note: Ima ni Tsunagaru Mirai as the writer.

Background for Nobuo Uematsu
Nobuo Uematsu

Nobuo Uematsu

composer

Nobuo Uematsu is a games composer who started the games industry career in 1900. Since then, Uematsu has been working with Square Enix, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Activision and Square. Uematsu's first published game was Crystal War. After that, Nobuo Uematsu took part as the composer of The Death Trap. Uematsu also worked on Granblue Fantasy Relink developed by Cygames for PC, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. Most recently, Nobuo Uematsu was involved in the development of Fantasy Life i. Now, Uematsu has joined the team of Sakura Note: Ima ni Tsunagaru Mirai as the composer.