Final Fantasy VIII

 PlayStation
Final Fantasy VIII Image
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1236 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: The next chapter in Final Fantasy takes the series to the next level. Final Fantasy VIII combines an epic storyline with dynamic role-playing elements, breathtaking music, and well-defined characters. The world of Final Fantasy VIII comes to life in a dazzling display of digital artistryThe next chapter in Final Fantasy takes the series to the next level. Final Fantasy VIII combines an epic storyline with dynamic role-playing elements, breathtaking music, and well-defined characters. The world of Final Fantasy VIII comes to life in a dazzling display of digital artistry that spans four CDs. With the addition of an hour worth of CG animation, a new "Junction" system, and compatibility with the Dual Shock Analog Controller, Final Fantasy VIII is a breathtaking addition to the series.… Expand
Buy Now
Buy on

Trailer

Play Sound
Please enter your birth date to watch this video:
You are not allowed to view this material at this time.
Final Fantasy VIII - PC Launch Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. GamePro
    100
    Involving and exciting characters, storylines, and battles keep you glued to your seat - and keep you from noticing the many hours you spend playing this amazing game.
  2. Absolute Playstation
    98
    Spanning four discs, this is a massive RPG. You can try and skate through it in 50 hours but can easily spend over a 100 hours playing if you decide to take on all of the side games, collect all of the Cards and experience all there is to experience from this game.
  3. Armchair Empire
    95
    Between the story, the beautiful graphics, music score, and the insanely enthralling card game mini-game, Final Fantasy VIII does the series proud.
  4. Hot Games
    90
    The game's major weakness is in the combat system - there's too many loopholes that can be exploited with the Draw technique, making combat tedious and mundane after a while.
  5. GMR Magazine
    90
    Things were more "real" this time around. [Feb 2003, p.97]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Gamezilla!
    86
    I just can't say enough about the graphics in this game either. After you play all the way throuugh this game, you will not be able to say that you did not get your money's worth.
  7. netjak
    49
    A travesty. A mockery of the good name of Final Fantasy.
    All this publication's reviews

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 178 out of 220
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 220
  3. Negative: 17 out of 220
  1. NaomiM.
    Nov 4, 2004
    10
    This game is not a mockery, i really like it and the story, yeah, its got some problems, but they all do! This is one of the best! Better than 7!
  2. Nightkin
    Mar 27, 2005
    10
    The best Final Fantasy game to come out on PS, or possibly ever up to that point in time. FF VIII far surpasses Final Fantasy VII in The best Final Fantasy game to come out on PS, or possibly ever up to that point in time. FF VIII far surpasses Final Fantasy VII in graphics, story and ingenuity. It is perhaps people's attachment to FFVII's novelty when it first came out that make their bias judgments for it so liberal and judgments for this one so harsh.… Expand
  4. Rakuri
    Feb 4, 2011
    10
    This game good i love the junction its the best, people who say its **** then go play different game this game was may long ago its not newThis game good i love the junction its the best, people who say its **** then go play different game this game was may long ago its not new and why play it if you only care about hot girls and the combat is not **** if you think its **** then your noob go play different game that good for you.… Expand
  5. DarkFireUmad
    Mar 19, 2020
    9
    De verdad, ojalá no tuviese su sistema de combate tan limitado y su nefasto sistema de enlaces, porque si no sería uno de mis juegosDe verdad, ojalá no tuviese su sistema de combate tan limitado y su nefasto sistema de enlaces, porque si no sería uno de mis juegos favoritos. Me ha encantado la progresión que hace Squall a lo largo del juego, brutal.… Expand
  6. jaga420
    Dec 4, 2010
    9
    I adore the storyline, and the graphics were a huge improvement over FF7. Honestly, FF7 gets overrated so often that FF8 falls in its shadow.I adore the storyline, and the graphics were a huge improvement over FF7. Honestly, FF7 gets overrated so often that FF8 falls in its shadow. It's very unfortunate. The battle system is great, but the music can get repetitive at times. My major complaint about FF8, however, is the junction system. Parts of it are good, such as the idea of having the GFs (summons) give you different abilities. What I don't like about it is how you get magic abilities by drawing it from enemies to a max of 100. It can take a very long time to get the magic you want or need. That's not the worst of it: you can change your stats by equipping your magic to each stat. This makes things overly complicated, and makes it so that using magic WEAKENS YOU. It annoys me heavily because I'm usually a pretty heavy magic user. Even more annoying than that is that the last 3 bosses in the game have the ability to deplete one magic spell to 0, which absolutely cripples you. Of course, I also like it in a way because it gives some added difficulty to the last boss even if you're level 100. Which brings me to my favorite part of the game: the enemies scale to your level for once! They really need to do that with more final fantasy games.… Expand
  7. perrypulus
    Mar 13, 2022
    8
    One of my earliest FF games and I finished it approx. 20 years later. The music is extremely good. The scores are also good. The GFs make theOne of my earliest FF games and I finished it approx. 20 years later. The music is extremely good. The scores are also good. The GFs make the game huge and keep it interesting in battling with enemies… Expand
  8. camilo1010
    Nov 23, 2020
    0
    People usually say your first final fantasy is your favourite, yet this was my third and gosh it is good, its my favourite by a good margin,People usually say your first final fantasy is your favourite, yet this was my third and gosh it is good, its my favourite by a good margin, It has an excellent story and, the junction system, although not easy when you start playing this game, turns out to be an excellent system which leads you to and endlessly customizable experience.… Expand

See all 220 User Reviews

Trailers

Related Articles

  1. Games

    Data Tracker: How Does "Final Fantasy XIII" Compare?

    Data Tracker: How Does
    Published: March 9, 2010
    The newest installment in the 23-year-old Final Fantasy franchise arrives in stores this week. How does it compare to past titles in the series?
    More »

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best PS1 Game of 1999
1
#1 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 1999
3
#3 Most Shared PS1 Game of 1999