Introduction

Developer: SquareSoft
Publisher: Square Electronic Arts L.L.C.
FF8 official page: http://www.squaresoft.com/web/games/index.html
Expected Release: September 7, 1999 (Playstation) ; November 1999 (PC)

Lock the doors and quit your job/classes

In 1987, Square Soft set its foothold in the video game world with the first Final Fantasy. Since then, over ten Final Fantasies have been released and all of them have been best sellers on their respective console systems. With no other company establishing so many RPG title, this establishes Square Soft as the leading developer of console RPGs.

Looks like a casino

That's a mean looking thing

One wonders if a company like this have any competition. In fact they have plenty, they have the pressure of having to beat out their previous titles. The best selling title, Final Fantasy 7, is arguably the best RPG to date. In fact to show how much Square is willing to beat out Final Fantasy 7, they have spent millions of dollars on artists, programmers and musicians for the 4 CDs of Final Fantasy 7. Just about everyone has seen previews and teasers of Final Fantasy 8, and most have no doubt that the graphics are an enormous jump up from any other console game out there. However, everyone knows graphics don't make a game.

I'm sure that everyone has heard rumors from people who have played the Japanese version that the story and music are great. They have even been so bold as to say that they're better than Final Fantasy 7! Let me tell you that these guys are sorely mistaken. The graphics, story-line and music are not great. They're in a level of what I would consider beyond amazing and untouchable by any other game out there at this time.

Secret compartment

Big turret

I've seriously had it up to here watching videos of the CG sequences of FF8 on the internet. I wanted the game. I made it my personal mission to go down to Square Soft and conduct a coercion project that would get Firing Squad the legit English version of Final Fantasy 8 earlier than anyone else who would do a review on it. After the entire Square Soft staff mysteriously received a new shiny Rolex and Mercedes E Class, they agreed to send us a copy as soon as possible. Just a few days ago, we received a copy of Final Fantasy 8 and were given the green light to use any information for a review here and a hardcore fansite at http://www.gamersx.com/console/ff8.