Final Fantasy VIII Remastered

 Switch
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. NintendoWorldReport
    Sep 3, 2019
    100
    All in all, the remastered edition is simply the best way to enjoy Final Fantasy VIII. Square Enix has struggled in the past with its previous ports of the Final Fantasy franchise, but may finally be hitting its stride. All of the improvements and enhancements give Final Fantasy VIII a much more modern feel without sacrificing any of its soul. As a lifelong fan of the Final Fantasy franchise and VIII in particular, I couldn’t be happier with this remaster and look forward to hours of enjoyment wherever I go.
  2. Impulsegamer
    Sep 10, 2019
    90
    There is so much to admire with Final Fantasy VIII. It was a game completely unafraid to take chances and that turned more than a few people off. But those who stick with it are rewarded with a wonderfully quirky game. It has a whole card game that will take up hours of your time. For those that already love it, this will be an easy sell. For those that wrote it off initially, or felt like it was a betrayal of the series roots, give it another go. The new features may help introduce a classic game to a whole new audience.
  3. DualShockers
    Sep 3, 2019
    90
    Final Fantasy VIII Remastered is a love letter to fans of the original title.
  5. Hobby Consolas
    Sep 6, 2019
    82
    Final Fantasy VIII is one of the all-time best J-RPGs created by Square Enix, modern or classic. It showed amazing courage to make things different, with its own visual style, a wonderful OST... There are lots of things that make this a truly classics, all present in the remaster, even if some, like backgrounds, deserved a better treatment.
  6. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Sep 16, 2019
    80
    Final Fantasy VIII is a unique experience in the pantheon of Final Fantasy games. It manages to stand out among others in the series with its own voice and personality, in part, due to its strange narrative and specialized Junction system. It’s thrilling to see this game realized again with a quality remaster on the Nintendo Switch. Ultimately, the visual upgrades and additional options make this version the best way to play the game. FFVIII fans won’t be disappointed.
  7. Trusted Reviews
    Sep 13, 2019
    80
    Final Fantasy 8 Remastered is a patchy but ultimately solid port of a classic JRPG. If you haven't played it before, you’ve no excuse not to become acquainted with the world of FF8, even if the game is at times hard to look at on a 16:9 display.
  8. Screen Rant
    Sep 3, 2019
    80
    FF8 Remastered is still one of the best Final Fantasy games ever made. Time may be cruel, but it apparently has a soft spot for Squall. Anyone looking for a good JRPG experience - classic or modern - will find something to love in FF8 Remastered, which makes it a must-play re-release that will surely entertain as much as it surprises.
  9. Nintenderos
    Sep 9, 2019
    75
    The new remastered version of Final Fantasy VIII more than a rebuilt itself adapted to current technology remains quite faithful to the original design and it is able to captivate the most nostalgic fans of the game with its JRPG style. However, it is possible that the title will not fully convince those who play it for the first time.
  10. Jeuxvideo.com
    Sep 3, 2019
    75
    The 20-year-old Final Fantasy VIII has been resurected by this Remastered with several really useful cheats. We appreciate the new 3D models but, once again, the 4/3 ratio, and some missing features that are standard on Zodiac Age, for example, feels a bit sad.
  11. God is a Geek
    Oct 17, 2019
    70
    Final Fantasy VIII Remastered doesn't live up to its name and only really succeeds in making Final Fantasy VIII playable on current systems.
  12. Nintendo Life
    Sep 2, 2019
    70
    Nearly twenty years later, Final Fantasy VIII proves to be just as weird and polarizing a release as it was when it first came out. Cool new ideas like Guardian Forces and Triple Triad are hamstrung by an absolutely wack story and the tedium of the Draw system, making for an experience that’s great in some regards and not so great in others. Taken as a whole, however, Final Fantasy VIII Remastered proves to be a fun and enjoyable romp through the weirder side of the Final Fantasy series, notably bolstered by the new HD presentation and the inclusion of helpful quality of life features. This is easily the most skippable entry of all the mainline Final Fantasy games on the Switch right now, but if you find yourself to be a fan of either the Final Fantasy series or the JRPG genre, Final Fantasy VIII Remastered proves to be a release that’s certainly worth your time.
  13. Cubed3
    Sep 27, 2019
    50
    Is Final Fantasy VIII Remastered the best way to play it? It really depends on a few things. Being able to bypass most of its questionable design choices certainly makes it more enjoyable than it was, then again that only highlights just how flawed it was in the first place. So, why bother at all? You may as well play it as it was intended, warts and all. This also applies to the revamped visuals; obviously improved in some areas, but the updated HD character models don't go well with the low-res pre-rendered backgrounds.

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Best Switch Game of 2019
81
#81 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2019

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 90 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 90
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 90
  3. Negative: 19 out of 90
  1. Morrisonio
    Sep 14, 2019
    6
    It's a 6+ for me. Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic game, but it's not a great remaster. New models are ok, but there's a "problem": someIt's a 6+ for me. Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic game, but it's not a great remaster. New models are ok, but there's a "problem": some characters that are not "in game" (i mean they're part of the background and haven't got any text line) are... well, part of the background so they are blurred. And in a remaster that focuses on better modelling to skip that polygonal stuff of PS1, this is a huge mistake imo. Also it freaks me out the way this game has frame drops. On Switch, a 2017 system that struggles to move a PS1 1999 game. If you play on x3 speed, sound doesn't speed up, so the image and the sound effects or even music doesn't match.

    But it's a great Final Fantasy, although the story has huge script gaps and one of the worst characters developments ever, with Squall. Battle system is ok, GF ara ok, the OST is, in my opinion, top 3 of the saga.

    Have fun!    … Full Review »
  2. GamesDoneRight
    Sep 10, 2019
    8
    This is a great remaster for one of my favorite Final Fantasies to date. The models are crisp and clean and they fixed the soundtrack from theThis is a great remaster for one of my favorite Final Fantasies to date. The models are crisp and clean and they fixed the soundtrack from the PC port as that was the port they used to remaster. My only complaint would have to be that some of the backgrounds feel weird with these new models throughout the game.… Full Review »
  3. Alaamak
    Sep 10, 2019
    8
    After playing the game for some time . I realized that square did a really good job with remastering the game . Everything ok just as it wasAfter playing the game for some time . I realized that square did a really good job with remastering the game . Everything ok just as it was before . Except with the amazing new 3d models for the characters and the poorly remastered backgrounds that makes the game looks kinda weird . Otherwise for some one who wants to experience the good old square RPGs or want to reminisce in final fantasy 8 . You won't go wrong with this one… Full Review »
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