FF VIII and...LOTS of other stuff

I was playing Final Fantasy VIII today. and I realized something. When I know what that something is, I'll tell you, but for now, let's just say it was nothing profound. So, here's some random stuff about it:

-GUARDIAN FORCES (GF) are what the summons are called, as compared to "Summons", "Espers", or "Aeons". They are aptly named, as while you're waiting for them to come, they take the damage for you.

-WEAPONS are crafted. You get the parts, the weapons get made. I like that in a game. I also like any other form of customization (like the weapon creation in Vagrant Story, another AWESOME, but often overlooked, game).

-CHARACTERS are extremely malleable. They can trade magic, GFs and abilities (abilities are another thing given by GFs and magic isn't learned, it's drawn from enemies and draw points). The only problem with the customization in this is the characters can all be each other, save for weapons, "Limit Breaks" (FFVII term, but in FFVIII, the characters get them randomly when their hit points are low), and appearances (obviously).

This is one of my favorite games in the Final Fantasy pseudo-series for the story and music.

Random Other Final Fantasy Stuff now!

My favorite FF of all is either XII or VII, because they have a balance of cool features and good music. They all share roughly the same plot, so I have to say that the way the plot is done is better in these two than the others.

WHY I LIKE EACH FF

FFI - It's the original and it was outstanding for its time. Only problem: Nameless chars. "Hey, Fighter, wanna go out drinkin' tonight?" "Sure, Blackmage!"

FFII - In number, this is TECHNICALLY IV in the US.

FFIII - I don't honestly remember it.

FFIV - Didn't actually like this one that much, though Rydia is awesome...but I tend to like summoners.

FFV - Meh, again, it was okay. It allowed a LOT of character customization, including a class-change system. Not to mention I liked Faris...even names a dog after her in NintenDogs. Named one Fran, too. I forget the names of the others.

FFVI - Haven't played it.

FFVII - First with 3D on 2D backgrounds, well-designed characters with personalities, the plot was well-done, the music was some of the best in the series, and it was LONG. That's good in any game.

FFVIII - Good characters, good plot (until the Gardens start flying and the player finds out everyone knew each other already, then it just gets weird...). The rest I already said. Oh, and it has the second best opening movie, Liberi Fatali (which is one of my favorite songs).

FFVIII - Liberi Fatali


FFIX - Well-done/deep plot, good characters (if you can look past their cartoony appearances), has some of the most memorable characters (along with only VII and X)

FFX - Plot's average, music is AWESOME, good graphics, varied world, and...well...Lulu. Gotta like an awesome black mage. This is the only one I didn't like the summoner in, 'cause she was annoying as hell. And stupid. But it makes up for it with its "opening" movie (a little ways into it), Otherworld (another of my favorite songs).

FFX - Otherworld


FFX-2 - Crap-in-a-box, but if you remove the preteen girl elements of fashion and such, it's actually pretty good. The plot is deep, though it's done in a mercenary (mission-based) style. The characters are okay and you can customize them fine...but they all end up being the same with a FEW exceptions: The Mascot Dressphere and the special dresspheres. It also has one of my favorite video game FMVs, 1000 Words. I can't stand the song, but the video is dramatic (I have the heart of a preteen girl, apparently).

FFX-2 - 1000 Words


FFXI - Haven't played it, but from what I've heard, I wouldn't like it. Not to mention it's one that has to be paid for monthly, a HUGE drawback for ANY game.

FFXII - It's just...good. Overall. Especially Fran. I can overlook that she's a bunny for the fact that she's awesome and has the best "Limit Breaks" (Or, as they're called in XII, "Quickenings"), Feral Strike, Whip Kick, and Shatterheart.

FF Tactics - This is one of my favorites, as it allows COMPLETE customization. And even though you can have a team of black mages, they can all still be different. Black Mage 1 could use a crossbow, Black Mage 2 could be wearing a knight's armor, and Black Mage 3 could be dancing, wearing heavy armor, and picking stuff up off the ground, also counterattacking with a skill that turns the ground they're on against the enemy (Geomancy, specifically the counter skill, Nature's Wrath). I have this for the PSone and PSP, but I like the PSP one better (more stuff and better translations).

FF Tactics Advanced (1 and 2) - Meh.If you play the other Tactics first, TA is kinda boring and restrictive (a Judge system where you go to jail if you do whatever the law bans that current day).

And no, my favorite game series is not Final Fantasy. I prefer Shadow Hearts (not to be confused with Kingdom Hearts, which I don't particularly love, but I don't hate, either), as it has a less "clean-cut", gritty story set in modern times, but with magic that's more logical. It also has the best battle system, where you have to use your reaction time instead of button-mashing or menu-surfing. Oh, and it has good music. AND good characters. AND lots of humor. AND...well, you get the idea.

But Fallout rates pretty high on my list.

And I can't wait for WET and Dissidia (another FF title, released 4 hours, 1 minute ago at the nearest walmart, but I don't have it...I'll probably get it later, after I wake up).

And WET, if you haven't seen the trailers, which are everywhere, is a current project of Bethesda Softworks (Bethsoft), the makers of Fallout 3, that is made to look like a combination of a 70s action b-movie. I sense this is going to be my new favorite game, though, when I want to just kill stuff. It features a dual-wield system for guns where BOTH guns are used and can target different targets instead of just the guy in front of you (one auto-targets, you control the other with the camera).

So, when I get Dissidia and/or WET, I'll do a review for them.