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. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

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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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