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For all those Final Fantasy 8 bashers out there I feel sorry for them. They better have played through the whole game before they say anything also. This is a defense type editorial because FF8 is one of my all time favorite games and deserves huge credit.
First the simple things. People complain about the junction system and how different it is. Well it isn't. Remember Espers? Those were guardian forces. FF6. You equipped them and the esper gained magic spells through experience gained in battle. Sound Familiar? You could swap these espers all you wanted between characters. In FF8 you are incouraged to stick with an equipped guardian force because that guardian force will be cast quicker if equipped on the same person for a long period of time. Also using similar elemental attacks as the GF boosts that connection between character and GF quicker. As for the individual character skills, that falls under their limit breaks and also physical vs. magical strength tendencies. Having to draw your magic is just like learning through encounters.
On a side note in FF7 noone seems to notice how the huge materia you collect are related to the Four Elemental Crystals of FF1-5. And normal materia could be considered crystal shards from FF5 or Espers or even the bought magic spells from a lot in the series. No one seems to see the connection.
Anyways, people complain about the boring teenager drama. Have you ever been a teen? This game had seriously sad moments. Squall seems like a jerk because he lost his best friend as a child and does not want to get close to anyone. That is a real world issue. Many people are like this and can relate to building walls around themselves so as not to get hurt. One person in the editorials mentioned that he didn't cry when Rinoa was in a coma. Duh, that wasn't the point. You were supposed to feel bad for Squall because he is starting to realize feelings for Rinoa and loses her. Then tears come pouring out when he picks her up and carries her along the transcontinental tracks all that way to help her. What about when Squall jumps out into space to find Rinoa even though it'd be a miracle for them to live. When the eyes on you song plays when Rinoa cuddles up to Squall. When Squall ignores all logic and breaks Rinoa free from her prison she chose because finally he accepts that he is not alone and that he loves her and his friends. Sorry. Starting to get weepy eyed. If people payed attention to the storyline of the game and how the theme of this game was love -Theme was called Love by Square themselves- Then they could appreciate the ending movie as I did. This is probably one of the most touching and heartwarming FF's ever. 7 was great also. So was 6. I see a trend. The games keep getting more and more emotional. That counts a lot for RPG's. I didn't even delve into all the other subplots and relationships in FF8. But I think I have at least put my mind at rest by sticking up for the game that keeps getting bullied. Play it enjoy it love it. Like all the Final Fantasy's. They haven't done a bad FF ever! Good track record keep'em coming!
As a Final note: The online FF's scare me because I don't think we could possibly make a FF story out of the top of our heads as good as square does over a year and I don''t know how intricate stories fit together very well with online gaming. I think they should've used a new series for online and kept Final Fantasy non online. Thanx for the rant time.
