Final Fantasy VIII

 PlayStation
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
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  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. Adrenaline Vault
    100
    This game looks amazing. There is simply nothing out there that can even compare to it on the PlayStation, and it's unlikely that we're going to see anything to rival it any time soon.
  3. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    100
    Pack[ed] with stunning FMV, well-developed characters, and a touching story that revolves round the theme of love. [Nov 2001, p.46]
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  5. 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.
  6. TotalGames.net
    96
    A work of Tolkeinesque proportions and not only the greatest RPG of our times, but one of the greatest games of all time. Wholeheartedly recommended.
  7. GameSpot
    95
    Cast all fears aside: the latest Final Fantasy is the greatest game ever to bear the name.
  8. 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.
  9. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    95
    Teens in clam diggers save the world again. Doesn't have "FFVII's" rep, though. [Jan 2004, p.188]
    All this publication's reviews
  10. GameShark
    93
    My baby, my sweet, precious little FF8. How I love thee, let me tell the ways; Triple Triad, Rinoa, the incrediblly sweet and fresh magic system and Junction, the beyond jaw-dropping FMV's, Rinoa, the biggest surprise Air Ship yet in any FF..
  11. Games Radar
    92
    This is, in all possibility, the most stunningly attractive game the PlayStation has ever known.
  12. Game Revolution
    91
    A great game, but not a perfect one. The battles and junction system have their flaws. At times you'll be too powerful; at other times, you'll just be drawing spells to gain strength. But the long ending that waits in store will make up for most of the negatives.
  13. Gaming Age
    91
    Aside from the true graphics engine, Square has gone above and beyond the call of duty with FFVIII's Full Motion Video sequences. The CG's quality is unmatched.
  14. GMR Magazine
    90
    Things were more "real" this time around. [Feb 2003, p.97]
    All this publication's reviews
  15. IGN
    90
    For every moment of breathtaking delight, there are a dozen predictable, endless battle sequences.
  16. Total Video Games
    90
    A must get for any serious RPG gamer. Looks great sitting next to Final Fantasy VII.
  17. 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.
  18. Games Domain
    90
    May not be the perfect game everyone expects from Square, but I challenge any FF player to get into it and not get hooked.
  19. All Game Guide
    90
    Though complicated and with the occasional fault, it could be remembered as the greatest Final Fantasy game through the 32-bit era.
  20. 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.
  21. Gamestyle
    80
    Unfortunately while the game is graphically superior to FFVII, in terms of setting, story and controls it lags way behind.
  22. GameCritics
    80
    For all its depth, though, I quickly discovered that I had little control of the game after the early part of it.
  23. Electric Playground
    75
    Somehow, a little bit lost in the beauty and the emotion of Final Fantasy VIII is the actual game system.
  24. Happy Puppy
    70
    Final Fantasy VIII has been called an epic game. And it is, if epic means "boring."
  25. netjak
    49
    A travesty. A mockery of the good name of Final Fantasy.
    All this publication's reviews

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

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1236 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,043 out of 1236
  2. Mixed: 119 out of 1236
  3. Negative: 74 out of 1236
  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. NikM
    Oct 22, 2009
    10
    The only things I didn't like in the game were the Junction and Battle systems, but the music, character depth and plot more than made The only things I didn't like in the game were the Junction and Battle systems, but the music, character depth and plot more than made up for it. :) My favourite game next to FFVII, but it's a really close call.… Full Review »
  3. theshonen8899
    Jun 21, 2011
    9
    Guardian Forces are easy to exploit but other than that, this game is the closest thing to perfection unleashed on mankind. Gameplay is fun,Guardian Forces are easy to exploit but other than that, this game is the closest thing to perfection unleashed on mankind. Gameplay is fun, graphics are playable (even today), story is great and the game has the deepest, most beautiful cast of characters ever created in the world of video games. If you like RPGs, you will fall in love with FFVIII.… Full Review »
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