In Response to "Defense of Final Fantasy 8"

by The Freelancer

Original Editorial: Defense of Final Fantasy 8

I'm sure you've expressed some very good points straight from the Final Fantasy VIII Activist's headquarters, Doug, but unfortunately, I beg to differ.

The Final Fantasy VIII Bashers of America have some good reasons to bash this stigma. Okay, maybe it's not that bad, but maybe I just think that because it's finally something new after playing Tactics to death. However, I have some concerns. You say in your editorial "People complain about the junction system and how different it is". We don't complain of how different it is, we complain of its complex simplicity. It seems all complex and confusing, but when you get down to the bare bones, it's just too easy. You don't have to use any form of mana to use the Guardian Forces! What's the purpose of having weapons or magic? There's no need for weapons. All you need to do in the beginning of the game is use Quezecotl (I don't care if I've spelled it wrong) and you can easily kill anyone in a couple of hits if you spent some time leveling. And as the GFs get better, the game gets easier. And people complain about Final Fantasy VII's low-difficulty level. I laugh in their faces. And then there's the magic! You "draw" spells from enemies and "draw points", and it doesn't take mana to use them. So...anyone can use any spell for free. That's high quality gameplay right there. </sarcasm>.

What's the point of random battles? You get paid when you walk! And you can't even equip! And who thought up those names? Quistis? As the great Totalus once said, I bet the people at Squaresoft were having a bet that no one could come up with a "Q" name. Zell? Squall? Sounds like a bird.

You may be right about the story. Final Fantasy VIII certainly had a...uh...unique story. Nonetheless, it's too "romantic". Yeah, yeah, I know on the back it said a tale based on love, but come on! At least in Final Fantasy VII, Cloud and Tifa weren't that involved in each other, and it definitely didn't take a major place in the plot and theme of the game. Final Fantasy VII had a real storyline. "A psychological struggle in a man trying to find his true self", as opposed to "A jerk who loves one he treats badly." Okay, maybe I'm being a bit harsh...but at least I'm admitting it...right?

Okay, that's my rebuttal Doug, and I hope you can take this constructive criticism and put it to thought...and then rebuttal to my rebuttal and publicly humiliate me.