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The Final Fantasy Logo above was created by ysf@pacific.net.sg.
Copyright Protected.Pls do not use this logo above without the author's permission.All right reserved.No part of the Logo can be modified,copied or re-edited without the piror's author's permission.Thank You.
The logo was created using number '9',in chinese means 'everlasting'
Let's hope we will see more and more Final Fantasy besides Final Fantasy 8.
____________________________________________________________________________
Final Fantasy viii Demo Tutorial Guide
Yee Seng Fu(Yu shenfu)
Singapore
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Portal/7933/
ICQ:25076522
ysf@pacific.net.sg
Version 7.0
Please check for the latest update everytime at www.gamefaqs.com.
25th Dec'99
____________________________________________________________________________
Note:This faq is best viewed using wordpad, wrapped to window.
____________________________________________________________________________
Hello,welcome to the the Final Fantasy 8 demo basic tutorial.This guide will have all the basic things you need to know about Final Fantasy 8.I have also written a Brave Fencer Musashiden FAQ so this should consider my second FAQ.
Be sure to check out my Brave Fencer Musashiden FAQ too.For those who has purchased Parasite Eve or Brave Fencer Musashi,you are lucky because you are included a collector CD of the 1999's most anticipated,greatest RPGs game ever released of the decades,Final Fantasy 8 demo.Parasite eve only contain
a CG-rendered demo of FF8 and is nonplayable.You will have to buy Brave Fencer Musashi to play the demo.For those who has bought the Japanese version of Brave Fencer Musashiden,you are lucky because the demo disc packed with the game contains two more extra game,one playable fighting game(and surprised one of the character is Cloud from FF7 and is being developed by Namco and Squaresoft.You can expect a great 3-D fighting game from Namco and with Square together,it's gonna be an incredible game.The name of the Game?Huh!I forget!) and another non-playable game(forgot the name too) that the demo disc of English Brave Fencer Musashiden doesn't has.Hope you will support it.This guide will have got almost all the new things you need to know,including the new features such as Draw,Guardian Force.Good luck!
For those who bought Brave Fencer Musashi,take a look at my Brave Fencer Musashi FAq at gameFAq.Thank you.
Warning:As this is only a demo,it might change when the final version comes
in next year. I won't bear any responsiblities for any changes made
to the actual or full version.
____________________________________________________________________________
Updates:
Version 1.0
-Added tutorial on character,controls.
-Added the use of Draw and Magic command,Guardian Force comamnd
-Added the special attack ability.
-Added Squall's gunblade and its special ability.
-Based on the US demo version.
Version 2.0
-Added bestiary.
-Added item list.
-Added spell list.
-Added walkthrough.
-Based on the US demo version.
Version 3.0
-Added content page.
-Added review.
-Will Final Fantasy 8 be the best Final Fantasy in the series?
-Added general tips.
-Based on the US demo version.
Version 4.0
-Added gameshark codes.
-Added my own-made FF8 logo.
-Based on the US demo version.
Version 5.0
-Added Translation.
-Added more comparison on Junction.
-Based on the US demo version.
Version 6.0
-Added Demo/Full version difference.
-Added confirmed info about Final Fantasy 8.
-Redited some spelling mistakes.
-Based on the US demo version.
Version 7.0
-Added a whole new presentation format.
-Added more informations in the confirmed informations section.
-Added more informations about the differences between the demo game
and the actual game.
-Based on the US demo version.
Next Update
Basically, all the informations you need to conquer this Final Fantasy
VIII demo is already inside. Refer to this faq only when you need it.
You might want to try playing the game once before looking at this faq.
Also, i have included some informations about my personal opinion of
the demo and the actual version. Feel free to send comments.
============================================================================
TABLE OF CONTENT
============================================================================ 1.Introduction
-Is Final Fantasy 8 too soon?
2.Review
-Read what this demo is capable of
3.Basic Tutorial Guide
i)Characters
ii)Control(On Field)
iii)Control(During Battle)
iv)Active Time Battle
v)Guardian Force
vi)Draw and Magic Command
vii)Secret R1 button
viii)Special Attack:New Limit system
ix)Squall's Special Attack:Fated Circle
4.Advanced Tutorial Guide
i)Item List
ii)Spell List
iii)Bestiary data
5.Walkthrough
-The mini walkthrough for this demo
6.Translation
-Dialogues & Conversation from the English Demo
7.Gameshark
-Let the best hackers help you.
8.The Future of Final Fantasy series
-Will Final Fantasy 8 be the best Fantasy?Being compared to FF7!
9.General Tips:
-Some basic tips to help you
10.Demo/Full Version Differences(Spoiler Warning!!!)
-What is the difference between the demo/full version?
11.Confirmed Information(Spoiler Warning!!!)
-What is in and out of FF8?
Credits
-For those who has contributed to this FAQ
Feedback
-All the feedback and comment
Author's info
-About him
Copyright
-All his efforts
============================================================================
1)INTRODUCTION:FINAL FANTASY VIII DEMO
============================================================================
Is Final Fantasy 8 release too soon?For me,it seem a little too fast.I expect Final Fantasy 8 to be released somewhere in 2001 but it is coming sooner than what i have expected.I was thinking whether Square would keep Final Fantasy 8 for Playstation 2 or Playstation Next.Besides,Square's only rival,Enix has not released DragonQuest 7 yet on the Playstation and it seems like it will never.After all,after Final Fantasy 7 was released on Playstation,i was thinking of updates of sequel on Squaresoft's 16-bit RPG hit like Chrono Trigger,Secret of Evermore.I was hoping for a secret of Evermore 2 and Chrono Trigger 2 but it seem like Square would never want.If Final Fantasy 3 ranked the #1 RPG,then Chrono Trigger would be the #2 RPG.The awesome team-up technique,real-time fighting,great storyline with multi ending is worth more to make a new Chrono trigger 2.After all,Chrono fans have been waiting patiently for it but...Secret of Evermore is also another game.Not only are the graphics amazing,the story is incredible and it fights like Secret of Mana.If Square would do something to them,I'll sure it would end up as great game,a worthy successor just like Final Fantasy 7.Pls bring over the 16-bits game that make the SNES so successful.
============================================================================
2)REVIEW:FINAL FANTASY VIII DEMO
============================================================================
Final Fantasy 8 features enviroment that is similar to 7.You cannot rotate the camera.Cameras are placed overhead in most enviroments with a 2-D look but coupled with 3-D effects to feel the 3-D enviroment.The FMVs is very well done,even the intro music is very well done and you can expect tons of quality music from Square in FF8.The most noticeably thing in battle is the removal of MP and a limit gauge bar in used in Final Fantasy 7,which believe will be carry over to Final Fantasy 8.Even the most successfully system of materia combination is removed.Characters still have an ATB to determine whose fought first.Instead,you will be able to draw spells and magic from enemies.The draw command enables you to stock up spell for later use or cast straight away.If you select the magic command,you will be shown with a selection of spells and you will noticed a number besides each type of the spell.The number indicates how many spells you can use for that type of spell.The summon spell ahs also been replaced by the guardian force.In this demo,the only character who can use guardian spell is Rinoa and the only summoned spell available in this demo is Leviathan,the water snake.Any diehard Final Fantasy fans will remember it since its first appearance in Final Fantasy 2.The difference is that there might be a chance that the creature might not amke an appearance.Instead of making the creature appear shortly after it is summoned,the summoner's HP is being replaced by the summoned creature HP and the summoner's ATB bar is being replaced by the summoned creature ATB.Sounds confusing but not actually.You will have to wait until the summoned creature's ATB is full before the creature would appear and wreak havoc on the battlefield.During this time,before the creature's ATB is full,any attack on the summoner will go directly to the summoned creature.Once the summoned creatured is dead,you cannot summoned it again until the next battle.It has been said that in the final version,all Guardian Force will be able to gain exp and levels,but not in this demo.As you can see,the Leviathan gets so realistic than the one in Final Fantasy 7.
There is a good news to all duel shock owners.Unlike Final Fantasy 7,you can use a duel shock controller and you will feel every bit of vibration.The summoned creature,Leviathan is a good example to feel the vibration.In the 7 series,there is a limit break and a gauge bar to indicate how close it is a character is to achieve a limit.However,in 8 series,there isn't any limit bar gauge to tell you and all special attacks are achieved randomly.Another sad new is that you cannot carried these special attacks over to the next battle.As you can see,the graphics during the battle field has improved over tenfold and no longer has big windows.The spells like lightening,Fire and so on is a cool visual and you swear it is much better than Final Fantasy 7.The spell has improved significantly.Not only just lightening effects,the sound effects are really good and keep up to Square's quality.Perhaps the most innovative feature is Squall's gunblade.You can inflict extra damage with the R1 button.All in one,Great graphics,great music and great gameplay;could be the best RPG games ever made and might have a potential to be the best Final Fantasy series ever made.
Note:This review was written by me and based on my own opinion,including the
rating below.Feel free to give me comment.
Graphics:8.5/10.0
Music:9.0/10.0
Sound:8.0/10.0
Gameplay:8.4/10.0
Overall:8.5/10.0
With the demo rated as 8.5,you can expect it to be a great game when the final version comes,it's gonna not be this rating but 9.0 and over.Noone can stop us from buying Final Fantasy 8.
============================================================================
3)BASIC TUTORIAL GUIDE:FINAL FANTASY VIII DEMO
============================================================================
Welcome to the basic tutorial guide.This guide will prepare you the basic skills required to master Final Fantasy VIII.Of course,there are more new things to learn,beside these.Prepare yourself for the greatest game.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.I)Character:Friend or Foe???
----------------------------------------------------------------------------There are basically three characters in this demo.Of course,you can expect a larger cast of character in the final version of Final Fantasy 8.
Squall Leonhart
Age:17
Height:177cm
Weapon:Gunblade
Special Attack:Fated circle
Strength:Powerful gunblade attack
Weakness:Requires skills and timing to master gunblade.
About:Squall is the main lead and party leader in the game.His attack power
is strong and powerful but you might not be able to make full use of
his attack if you failed to properly use his gunblade during battle.
Refer to the gunblade section.in fact,he's the most well balanced and
rounded character of all in this demo regarding it's attacks or magic.
Zell Dincht
Age:17
Height:163cm
Weapon:fist
Special Attack:Meteo Barret
Strength:Strong attacks and high HP
Weakness:Weak magic attack
Zell is the party's offensive hitter.His high HP enables him to concentrate on attacking while enabling him to remain well protected in tougher fights.
The best thing is that he can cause more damage in normal attack with each punch than Rinoa and Squall(if you fail to use gunblade).However,his weak magic enabled him to have flaws and weakness.Concentrate him on attacking rather than using too many magic.Absorb a few cure spell just in case.
Rinoa Heartilly
Age:17
Height:168
Weapon:Blade Ring
Special Attack:None
Strength:Strong Magic and Guardian Force
Weakness:No special attack,low HP,low attack power,no Draw command
Rinoa is basically the party's magic user.Although her normal blade ring attack is fairly average,her true strength is obvious when she starts casting spells.for the same type of spell,she can casue nearly twice the damage or heals twice as much.Sad to say,Rinoa is the only character who doesn't ahs a draw command which makes her spell inventory limited.i don't understand why!keep her spell until you fight a boss.Her special ability is to summon a guardian force,Leviathan,the water snake and the only G.F in this demo.Refer to Guardian force section.Besides squall's Fated circle,this is the strongest attack.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.II)Control(Field)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direction button:Moves in the specific directions.
X button :Press with the Directional button to run
Circle button :Activate switches,talk and select choices.
Start :Bring up the menu that let you chose vibrational on/off
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.III)Control(Battle)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Directional button:Select and move command
X button :Cancel and close command
Circle button :Confirms the command
Triangle button :Switch to another character with a full ATB.
L1 button :Turns on/off the help target command
Start :Pause the game
L2 and R2 :Escape from the battlefield
R1 button :Do extra gunblade damage for Squall only
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.IV)Active Time Battle(ATB)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Like the past Final Fantasy series,who goes first to attack depends on this ATB.The faster the character,the faster the ATB move.People who has played any Final Fantasy before will be familiar with this.Battles are still fought in real-time like the past.It seems the concept of ATB will always remain in every Final Fantasy.
Note:Don't alway leave the game when you are in battle because the ATB will
continue to move.
Tips:You might not want the fastest character to move.Simply press triangle
to switch over to the next character with the ATB full.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.V)Guardian Force(G.F)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the past,you simply summon a creature and shortly after,it would appear on the battlefield.There's actually a chance that the creatured might not appeared.Each guardian force has HP and G.F in Final Fantasy 8 is actually the summoned monsters in other previous Final Fantasy.The difference is that in the past,the summoned creature would come out within less than 8 seconds,
however as in this 8 series,each time,the summoner summons a creature,the summoner's HP bar will be replaced with the Guardian Force HP bar.The ATB of the summoner will also be replaced by the G.F ATB.You will have to wait for the G.F ATB to full,then the creature will come out.However,during this period of time before the G.F ATB is full,any attacks on the summoner will be deplete the G.F's HP.When the G.F's HP is zero,you cannot summon the creature again until the next battle.Meanwhile,the summoner is protected from any attack.The G.F's HP will be regain fully during the next battle.
This is critical especially in long bosses fights where you may need to summon a Guardian Force several times.The only character in this demo who can summon creature is only Rinoa and the only summon creature in this game is Leviathan.the good news is that G.F like every other character will be able to gain exp and increases their HP but unfortuately,you can't in this demo.It seem that the summon creature,Leviathan gets more and more realistic each series.Leviathan,the water god will create a waterfall and drown all the enemies in the battle.The best way is to have a duel shock controller to feel the vibration when the water snake create a waterfall.
Note:You can't heal G.F in a battle.if you cast a cure spell on the
summoner while waiting for the G.F ATB to full,the spell will heal the
summoner and not the G.F even though the summoner's HP bar has been
replaced by G.F's HP bar.Maybe there's a way to cure G.F in the final
version,but definitely not in this demo.Who knows!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.VI)Draw and Magic Command
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any one who has played Final Fantasy 7 will remember the innovative,but somehow complex materia combination.Now,SquareSoft has come out with an yet more innovative way but much more easy and simple compared to the materia combinations.welcome the Draw command.Instead of buying materia and put it into your weapon/armor slot,you will be able to draw magic from your enemy.
In Final Fantasy 8,there is no MP.The Draw command is used for casting or stocking up on spells that an enemy uses.Select Draw and the then select an enemy,choose which the spell you want to draw,select whether you want to cast or stock.Different enemies will have different targeted spells in their list.If you choose cast earlier,you will immediately cast the spell straight away. but if you choose stock, you will stock up the spell and this spell will be return to the magic command.The magic command is used for casting stocked up spell.When you select magic command,you will shown with a list of selection magic spells that you have and besides each spell,there is a number to indicate how many spells of this type you ahve.For example the number 5 besides the cure spell will indicate that you can cast only 5 cure spell.Look below for an idea of how the Draw spell works.
Command Choice Choice
Attack
Magic >Cast
Draw-----Fire------Stock
Item >Cure
-indicates the next sub-menu and >indicates the choice you choose.
In this case,it indicates that you draw the cure command and cast it straight away.It's always better to stock up as many cure spell as possible.
Unfortuantely,Rinoa deosn't has Draw command and so,her spell is very limited.This is her disadvantage but her Guardian force soon makes up for the loss of Draw command.I wonder why?Having seen an illustration of the Draw command,what do you think?Is is better,simple than the materia combinations or more difficult?In Final Fantasy 7,you spent time arranging all your materia whereas in 8,you will have to sent time drawing out the magic spell.Who knows?Wait until the final version comes out.Will the Draw command be able to replace the materia combinations.What do you think?
Note:Not all the time you will be able to draw out your enemy's spell successfully.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.VII)Secret R1 Gunblade
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Squall's weapon ,the Gunblade is unlike any other weapon in any Final Fantasy series.It looks like a half sword,half gun weapon.The trick about this gunblade is that it takes time to master the gunblade.With proper timing,you can increase the amount of damage each of his normal attacks cause up to twice but it depends on how you use it.To do so,you must press R1 button before Squall's weapon makes any contact with an enemy which causes Squall's gunblade to fire a shot,casuing extra damage.See,i told you.Squall's gunblade can acts as a sword and gun at the same time.The amount of extra damage cuased depends upon your timing.A second difference may be the difference between inflicting 40 extra or 60 extra damage.Don't woory if your reflexes aren't strong,as long as your timing is pretty close,
you will be able to extra damage,better than having nothing,Right!.Maximum damage occurs when you press R1 button just before Squall attack the enemy.
The closer to the enemy before coming into contact,the stronger damage you will inflict.You will know by the difference in the explosion.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.VIII)Special Attack
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Many may i ask what about the limit break system in Final Fantasy 7?It's such a good command and devastating moves that should come in every futrue Final Fantasy series.I'll have to say indeed there is a limit break but you will ask,where's the limit bar.I can't seem to find it.All right but they are not called Limit break anymore and no limit bar.Special Attacks occur when a character 's HP is low but in Final Fantasy 8,there's no gauge bar to help indicate how close you are to use special attack,instead it appears randomly at different times.The lower the character's HP,the more likely it will appear.it appear randomly.However,in this demo,only Squall and Zell can use special attack but not Rinoa.Special attack can cause damage as heavy as summoned creature but there are some things you must remember.It's a one-time attack that causes massive damage that can cause over 300HP in this demo.You will know when a specail attack is available when you see a small triangle next to the normal attack command.Highligh the Attack command and push right on the controller and the attack command will be replaced with the character's special attack.For example,Squall's special attack is fated circle and Zell's special attack is Meteo Barret in this demo.Refer to
Squall's fated circle.However,it's unknown whether it's like the limit break system where you can train and gain limit level or learn new special attack
and if in the final version Rinoa will be able to learn special attack and Draw command.But there is even more important thing to take note.As this is a one-hit special attack,you can't store it of later use.If your character is ready to use a special atatck and you perform other commands like spell,
draw,your Special Attack will be gone the next time the character is ready to attack.So,use it when you are ready.The same also applies when you skip a character's turn with a special attack.That's the worst thing ever heard in the 8 series.
Below is a brief illustration of when special attacks occur.
Squall Zell
Attack>Fated circle Attack>Meteo Barret
Magic Magic
Draw Draw
Item Item
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.IX)Squall's Special Attack:Fated Circle
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Squall's special attack is again more different from any others.Unlike Zell's meteo barret,you can actually inflict extra damage for Squall's special attack just like his normal attack,which is a good thing.When using Squall's special attack,a small meter appears at the bottom of the screen.
The triangles on the meter indicate the point when Squall's special weapon wioll hit the enemy.if you press R1 on this triangle,you can inflict extra damage.Each time you press closer to the back of a triangle in the meter,the more damage you will cause,which will turn yellow.This is the time to press
R1.If all blows are timed correctly,Squall will unleash a finishing combo at the last triangle,however,if you failed to timed correctly,Squall will automatically unleash a finishing combo straight away before the meter hits the last triangle.In this case,you cannot make another special combo again.Practise your timing properly.Each combo will sent in a powerful fire wave,which is in fact much more powerful than Leviathan,provided you timed yourself properly.
Here is a brief illustration of how the meter works.
Limit
________________________
| /| /| /| /| /| /||
| / | / | / | / | / | / ||
|/__|/__|/__|/__|/__|/__||
I apologise since i'll unable to actually draw up this whole meter bar and with colors to fully illustrate this special attack function but the meter will look something like this.
============================================================================
4)ADVANCED TUTORIAL GUIDE:FINAL FANTASY VIII DEMO
============================================================================
You have learned the basic skills.It's now the time to move to a more advanced skill.This section provides you with a item,magic,and bestiary list,plus a lot of helpful tips to help you when you are fighting against a particular boss or enemy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.I)Item List
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Description
Potion Restores 100HP
Phoenix Down Revives an ally
Unfortuately,in this demo,there are only two items available in use.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.II)Spell List
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the spells found in the demo
Spell Description
Cure Restores HP;amount restores depends on which character use
Fire Weak Fire magic attack
Fira Stronger Fire attack than Fire
Thunder Weak Lightening magic attack
Thundara Stronger lightening attack than Thunder
Blizzard Weak ice magic attack
Blizzara Stronger ice attack than Blizzard
Double Cast two spells at one go
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.III)Bestiary Data List
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note:All statistics are based on approximation and may or may not represent
each enemy in the demo or in the final version.So,don't blame me.
Galbadia Soldier
HP:100
ATK:2
DEF:3
Magic:1
Magic Def:1
AGl:1
Special attacks:Nil
Items:Potion,Phoenix Down
Spells:Fire,Cure
About:Easy to defeat.One special attack or guardian force will instantly
kill the soldier.No worries about that.
Tips:You might want to draw as many cure spells from the soldier since the
enemy is pretty weak here.Stock the cure spell for later use.
Snake Horn
HP:410
ATK:2
DEF:6
Magic:2
Magic Def:2
AGL:2
Special Attacks:Dark,Mist,Wrap Around
Items:Phoenix Down
Spells:Thunder,Blizzara
About:It has high HP and relatively strong attacks like Dark Mist.Be
careful.Use one guardian force to cause around 350HP on it and with
one to two special attack,you should be able to defeat it.
Mesmerize
HP:200
ATK:1
DEF:7
Magic:2
Magic Def:4
AGl:3
Special Attacks:Back Kick,Blade shot,Blade cut
Items:Phoenix Down
Spells:Fire,Cure,Double
About:Be careful of its blade attack.One guardian force or special attack
will do or you can use normal attacks,especially Squall's gunblade and
Zell's strong attack.Draw double and cure from it.
Buel
HP:55
ATK:1
DEF:3
Magic:2
Magic Def:7
AGl:3
Special Attacks:Nil
Items:Potion
Spells:Blizzard,Fire,Thundara
About:Buels are wimpy flying creatures.They have a relatively quite strong
attack but have low HP.A few Squall's gunblade attack and Zell attack
will defeat it.
Tips:You might consider drawing elemental attacks spell,Blizzard,
Fire,thundara from it if you are willingly to stock up.
Wedge
HP:620
ATK:2
Def:5
Magic:1
Magic Def:1
AGL:3
Special Attacks:Arm Slash
Items:None
Spells:Thundara,Cure,Double
About:Be careful of his Arm Slash.he has very high HP but two guardian force
or special attack will kill him.
Biggs
HP:200
ATK:2
DEF:6
Magic:1
Magic Def:4
AGL:3
Special Attacks:Nil
Items:Nil
Spells:Fire,Blizzara
About:Quite easy to defeat but more a bit more tougher than Galbadia soldier
He has more stronger physical attack than Galbadia soldier but not
that devastating to kill you.Don't worry too much.He will come and
assist Wedge.
Elvoret
HP:???
ATK:3
DEF:1
Magic:3
Mag Def:5
AGL:3
Special Attacks:Storm Breath,Dark Mist
Items:Phoenix Down
Spells:Fire,Blizzara,Cure
About:The toughest and the longest boss fights in this demo.High special
attack like Storm breath that can cause entire party over 50HP and
Dark Mist a single party for over 70HP.besides,it has very high HP.Use
Special attack and guardian force.Make sure your party's HP is over
100HP.Refer to the walkthough for more strategy.
X-ATM092
HP:???
ATK:2
DEF:6
Magic:3
Magic Def:6
AGL:3
Special Attacks:Claw Crush,Ray Bomb
Items:None
Spells:Fire,Thunder,Cure
About:This mechanical spider has a auto self-repair device which fills up
his HP.Low HP but has really very strong attack like ray bomb that
cause entire party over 100HP.One to two special attack will cause it
to collapse.Run and escape now.Refer to the walkthrough for more
strategy.
Note:All statistics such as Attack,defend power were based on Galbadia soldier being compared as a ratio of 1.Therefore,it may not represent accurate statistics but may be as form of comparsion strength and weakness.
I use spells and attacks on every enemy and record the damage and let the enemy attack us and record the damage.if enemy A,take Galbadia soldier inflicts 20 damage per normal attack,whereas enemy B,inflicts 40 damage,
then the ratio of enemy's A to B attack is 20:40 which is 1:2.Agility were based on estimation.Don't blame me if these statistics were wrong.
============================================================================
5)MINI WALKTHROUGH:FINAL FANTASY VIII DEMO
============================================================================
Note:Avoid using this walkthrough only when you are stuck.I don't think you
will stuck in this demo since it's pretty straightforward here but
don't rely too much on this walkthrough as it might ruin all your
discovery.I try to make the walkthrough as strightforward as possible
and not reveal any about the game's plot.It's best that you read the
the basic tutorial first before attempting to play the game.You may
wish to view the bestiary but not too much of walkthrough,pls!I really
don't want to ruin your game.
The Arrival
After the cool Final Fantasy 8 logo,comes a cool FMV.You will see Squall on a ship.Damm!Even the music in the demo is so cool.You bet you will expect lots more cool music from Square in the final version.Back to the main game.
Upon the ship hitting the beach,follow seifer up the stairs to the town's entrance.Zell mentions that squall should hit R1 button when attacking,which is his special gunbalde ability.refer to the gunblade section.
You will enter a battle.After the battle,continue to follow Seifer deep into the city,actinga s a sort of pointman for the team but will not fight with you.After the second battle,you will reach a city square.Check the northeast area to find a Galbadia soldier and speak with Seifer.
Tips:Draw cure spell from those soldiers.
At the city square,Seifer orders the party to kill any remaining guards
proceed to the northeast area.Finally, Seifer loses his patience and decides to check things out ahead.Zell ask if this is out of the mission parameter,
but is ignored by Seifer and Squall.After speaking to seifer twice,the party will hide around the area while waiting it rest of their troops storm the enemies' headquarters and head toward a structure far in the distance.
Follow them,cross the bridge and prepare for a more serious,tougher fights.
At the base of the mountain,you will encounter several soldiers and a snake horn.Snake horn is pretty powerful so don't take it too lightly.When fighting the snake horn,it doesn't has a cure spell for you to draw,you will need to rely on the previous stock up spell.Be careful,it can casue a lot of damage to your party.Defeat snake horn and continue to follow Seifer up the mountain.You will see the Antenna Facility's entrance and several soldiers.
Tips:You will also encounter Buels.They can provide you with three powerful attack spells if you are willing to spend time stocking up them.Refer to the bestiary section on the types of attack spells it has.
Continue around the mountain and enter the Antenna facility and take the elevator up to the top.You will encounter Lieutenant Biggs and Wedge.Do you remember them in Final Fantasy 7?It's not surprise since Square has always got a tradition to carrying over some character names from game to game.
Chcocbos are a good example.I wonder how much the chocobo will change in 8 series.Never mind about that.back to the main game.After the brief CG sequence or FMV,you will fight Wedge.They die in Final Fantasy 7 but it's time to make them a hero and fight the party.Ha!Ha!
Biggs and Wedge
You will fight against Wedge first.Shortly after,Biggs will come into battle and assist Wedge.Both enemies' physical attacks are strong,but not that devastating to cost your life but watch out for Wedge's Arm Slash attack.
keep your characters' HP up and attack when you get the chance.look for a bigger surprise.Not telling you yet.
Tips:You can draw Wedge's double spells and stocked up on them which can be very useful when you fight a tougher boss later.Also,stock up as many cure spell from Wedge as possible.
Elvoret
This is the strongest and the longest boss fight of all in this demo.Elvoret is much more tougher than when Biggs and Wedge combined up.Storm breath and dark Mist atatcks are very powerful with Strom breath about 50HP and Dark Mist 70HP.Furthur more,Elvoret is quick so that there's not much time for you to think.Keep each characte rover 90HP and heal everyone using Squall's and Zell's Draw ability.Draw Elvoret's cure spell and cast it immediately.if things really that bad,use Rinoa's Cure spell because it heals twice as many HP due to her stronger magic ability than Squall and Zell.use Rinoa's Guardian force,leviathan which cause up to over 300HP.Make full use of Squall's gunblade to cause additional damage per hit.When there is a chance to use Squall and Zell special attack,use it.Don't hesitate.It's best to keep the fights as shortas possible and attack Elvoret when there is a chance rather than curing and making the fights longer.If any one of your character is dead,use Phoenix Down to revive your ally.Be sure to have around 3 to 5 of it for later use.And aslo,if Rinoa's Guardian Force is dead and cannot be summoned again,concentrate on her magic attacks.
After the fight,a Dollet soldier appears and informs the team that they have 15 minutes to reach their transports on the beach.hop down the elevator and ride it down.Wedge makes one more attempt to stop Squall and friends by calling a large mechanical spider.
Remember something!Does it reminds you of Final Fantasy 7 where you have only 10 minutes to escape before the mako reactor explodes.Now,to make things more challenging,there is a mechanical spider to stop you from escaping and you have got only 15 minutes and mind you,it's more tougher than the one in Final Fantasy 7 cause the robot ha sa self-repair system and when it's repair,it will come after you again and it's strong too.
X-ATM092
This is one tough boss.It has a stronger attack than Elverot but have fewer HP.If you hit it with one or two special attacks and a few couple of spells,you can finish this fight quickly.Keep your party's HP over 120 because the ray bomb can cause over 100HP of damage to your party.if it uses Ray bomb,make sure you heal everyone quickly.When the battle starts,keep attacking using Squall's gunblade,special attack and perhaps Rinoa's Leviathan about once.Rinoa's G.F is useful but requires a lot of time to
summon the creature and waste your precious time.Rely more on Squall's additional R1 hit gunblade,Zell as a medium attack party and cure your party and Rinoa as a magic attacker and curing your party but do save up some Rinoa's attack spell.
Tips:If you have Double spell,use it on cure and cast two cures on two of
your character after it uses ray bomb and then have another character
to use cure on the one who has not been healed.In this way,you will
have one more character to attack.
After causing enough damage,it will collapses and you've are given the chance to escape by pressing and holding R2 and L2 simultaneously)Don't hesitate.It has a self-repair device and will be back on its feet back again to chase after you.The rest of the trip focuses on your escape from X-ATM0932.Each time you are being forced to battle with it,you are wasting valuable time and repeat the same stratgeies over so run and act fast to return to the beach before it casches you.
The Chase
You will fight the boss two to three times,of course if you are fast.You can dodge the boss on the first two path.The next one is slighier tougher and if you managed to shave the boss off,great for you because the next part of the game for the remaining path is easy,except for the bridge there.When you reach the third path,before the screen fade in,continue pushing Left and run,if not,the boss will land to the right on top of the team.All the fights from here on are avoidable.When you come to the bridge,it requires a little bit of your technique to dodge the battle.The Boss will leap over your party to block your path.Quickly run to the right and you should be able to clear the bridge to avoid the fight.The rest of the town is easy.Reach the beach,where the starting point is and you will be shown for anotehr CG-sequence/FMV.
Think about it.There's only one year more for Final Fantasy 8 to release.
Fortunately,you will have Brave Fencer Musashi,Xenogears,Parasite Eve,
Bushido Blade 2 to keep you busy,maybe Zelda and Metal Gear Solid too.If you can't wait,then purchase the japanese version when it comes in the first quarter of 1999.
============================================================================
6)TRANSLATION:FINAL FANTASY VIII DEMO
============================================================================
Note:Avoid Reading unless you have finished at least ONCE!!!Spoiler!!!
(A magnificant FMV showing Squall scaling Dollet City)
Squall: "Seifer, our instructions."
Seifer: "We, group B, is to secure the central public square."
Zell : "The number of enemies?"
Seifer: "Huh? There will by plenty, of course!"
"I will certainly die of boredom if there are only a few enemies!"
Squall: "....... Securing the central public square. Is that it?"
Seifer: "The enemy's reinforcement seems to be approaching. I'm
looking forward to the battle."
"It'll just be a disaster for those puny weaklings, I tell you."
Zell : "and who is that now?"
Seifer: "Oh"
"Well, the public square is......"
"Let's go!"
(Climbing up some stairs...)
Squall: "There's enemy around here......"
"......I wonder which company they're from?"
Zell : "Hey, are you serious?"
"That's up to the Galbadia army!"
Seifer: "Don't mind him, Squall."
"Anyone that approaches us is the enemy."
(During 1st Fight)
Zell : "Squall!"
"Press the R1 button the moment your attack hits!"
(Running down a street leading to the central public square...)
Seifer: "Are you enjoying yourself, Squall?"
(During 2nd Fight)
Enemy :"Are they the special unit called SeeD?"
"That looks like a teenage girl."
"But, is she very powerful, like someone from Garden?"
Seifer:"The public square is ahead"
"Hey, Galbadian cowards!"
"Don't keep quiet! Come out!"
"Don't get me bored!"
Seifer:"Can you sense the enemy's presence?"
(Choose "Yes" or "No". I chose "Yes".)
"Your skill is improving, Squall."
"Well, won't you check out if there's enemy around?"
(Checking out the road on the upper left hand corner...)
"Don't proceed on your own!"
(3rd Fight, in the entrance at the upper right hand corner...)
Squall:"I don't think there's any enemy around now."
Seifer:"It...... seems like it."
"Well, we'll just watch and wait for the enemy's arrival."
"Watch and wait...... such boring words."
(Gunshots are heard)
Squall: "It sounds like it started."
Zell : "It feels like the real start."
Seifer: "Let's welcome them."
Zell : "Look, Squall. Look at Seifer."
(The dog is bugging Seifer.)
Seifer: "Don't interfere with my work!"
"Get lost!"
"Hey! Galbadian soldiers!"
"What's keeping you?!"
"Come to me quickly!"
Squall: "...... They aren't coming."
Zell : "What's going on!"
"...... This, is truly boredom."
"Isn't this just great!"
Seifer: "......!"
".............!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"I am still waiting......"
"This is about as much as I can take!! I can't stand this any
more!"
"Isn't this a dog's training, just waiting!?"
(Dog barks, and enemies pass.)
Squall: "Hey...... the enemy."
"Where are they going?"
Seifer: "Let's follow them."
Zell : "This is against the orders!"
Seifer: "Didn't I tell you awhile ago, when we had all that free time?"
Zell : "Squall!"
Squall: "I am following the group leader's decision."
Seifer: "What's the group leader's decision?"
"Are you throwing a fit?"
Squall: "I am follwing because it is a chance to test the results of my
training under you."
"Thanks to you, I don't feel I can lose to some coward enemies."
Seifer: "At that time, you will thank me."
Zell : ".....What's going on?"
"Well, aren't you guys just buddies."
"You guys are just the same type of person."
"This isn't just a simple combat."
"It's some kind of important test."
"But isn't it a minus that it's a unpermitted operation?"
Seifer: "You can just stay here."
"We don't need anyone who doesn't feel like doing it."
(Dog barks.)
Seifer: "Huh? You want to go too?"
"It seems like this dog wants to help more than someone we know."
Zell : "What!"
Squall: "Don't take it so seriously, Zell."
"Anyways, Seifer. If we're going, let's hurry."
Seifer: "It's clear that the enemy's target is the facility on the
mountain top."
"We, group B, will move to secure the mountain top."
"Mobilize immediately!"
Squall: "Understood."
Zell : "Humph...... Understood."
(On the hill, you see some soldiers laying on the stairs...)
Soldier A from Dollet:"...... I don't know why at all......"
"What do they want with the radio tower now......?"
Soldier B from Dollet:"I...... When I was a kid......"
"I played...... at that, radio tower installation."
"At that time...... it was already"
"locked......"
"Uhh...... and under neglect......"
Soldier C from Dollet:"Wow! You guys!?"
Squall :"We were sent from Garden. I am a SeeD cadet."
Seifer :"Hey, what's the situation on the mountain top?"
Soldier C from Dollet:"Galbadian soldiers are storming the radio tower
installation."
"Then...... That place is just a den of monsters to
begin with."
"Wahhhh!"
(A monster attacks!)
Squall: "I guess there are monsters here."
Zell : "This really complicates things."
Seifer: "No, it just increases the fun."
"Well, let's go."
Zell : "...... Yeah, fun. So the man says."
(Meet up with Seifer)
Galbadian soldiers:"Confirming that the electrical generator is
completely operational!"
"Confirming the location where the cable broke!"
"The exchange order is entered!"
"Nothing unusual about the booster!"
(Overlooking the entrance to the radio tower and the Galbadian soldiers.)
Seifer: "What are they doing......"
Squall: "Repairs......?"
Seifer: "Well, whatever."
"Is this your first actual fighting experience? Scared?"
Squall: "......There is no time to feel scared or anything ."
Seifer: "I love battles."
"I am not scared of anything."
"When a fight ends, I am certainly closer to my goal."
Squall: "Goal?"
Seifer: "It's the moment that I realize my dream."
Squall: "Oh!? A dream?"
".....That's no good."
"If you're going to talk about that, I pass."
(Zell interupts the conversation...)
Zell : "What are you passing!?"
"If it's some operational conference, let me hear it!"
Seifer: ".....There you are."
"I'll let you hear about my romantic dream, someday!"
Zell : "Oh? What is he saying!"
Squall: ".....It's the kind of talk I am worst at."
"Well, let's go."
(Arrive at the radio tower)
Galbadian soldiers: "Wow------!" (They rush out)
Seifer: "These cowards!"
Squall: "......Going up?"
(You can choose to "Go up on the lift" or "stop". Choose the top
option.)
(Biggs is making repairs to the radio tower,with Wedge standing beside him.)
Wedge: "Biggs!"
"I am here to report that some monster has been seen on the upper
levels of the radio tower."
"Biggs!"
Biggs: "Be quiet! I am busy right now!"
"......This goes this way......"
"Ha...... Something like this. Why is this"
"in this raggy thing......"
"This...... Why am I"
"being made to do repairs?...... Humph"
Wedge: "......Since you seem to need time to do the repairs, I am going
to look around."
Biggs: "Humm...... Ah......"
"That...... and that way......"
"That...... and that way......"
"Well then, this...... Oh, completed."
(The FMV sequence of the demo,showing the radio tower becoming operational.)
(Squall, Zell, and Rinoa arrives on the scene.)
Squall: "What are you doing!"
Biggs : "What's going on?"
"What the hell are you guys doing here!"
"He, Hey! What happened to my soldiers down there?!"
"Wedge! Dispose of these guys quickly!!"
"We...... Wedge?"
"Wow......"
"Since I am no longer needed on this radio tower......"
"so..... so...... I will be going back now."
"Excuse me! Excuse me!"
(Seifer shows up)
Seifer: "Too bad."
Biggs : "Ah......Ah, ah...... AAAAAAAAA----------!"
"What are you doing------!"
Seifer: "Shut up!"
(The fight starts......)
Biggs: "Get ready for these guys!"
Wedge: "Major"
"Are you done with your repairs?"
"Oh! The enemy is here?!"
Biggs: "Hey, Wedge! Where are you going?!"
"You, your salary this month will be zero!"
Wedge: "Huh, that's fine with me."
(When Wedge is in trouble....)
Wedge: "Major, I am no good anymore."
Biggs: "Don't say such a thing!"
(At some point in the battle...)
Biggs: "What!?"
Wedge: "Waaaaaaaa!"
(The two are taken away by the monster.)
Zell : "What is this?"
(After defeating the monster, a soldier of the Dole Dukedom shows up,
saluting to the group.)
A Solder from Dollet:"Are you from group B?"
Squall :"I...... am Squall of group B."
Soldier of Dollet :"Who is the group leader?"
(Squall points to Seifer.)
"SeeD and SeeD cadets are to withdraw at 1900 hour and gather at the beach."
Seifer: "Withdraw?"
Soldier of Dollet:"Yes. I am just here to deliver this simple
message......"
"However, isn't withdraw the most important order for
survival?"
Seifer: "Humph......"
"When do we gather?"
Soldier of Dollet:"Yes! SeeD and SeeD cadets are to withdraw at 1900
hours. Gather at the beach!"
Seifer: "1900 hours...... That's just 15 minutes from now."
"15 minutes to get to the beach. Let's go!"
(Seifer rushes away and down the lift......)
Zell : "Wait!"
"He's moving by himself again!"
"That guy...... just does what he pleases!"
"I just can't take it!"
(The countdown begins. Proceed down the lift.)
(Biggs stays on the tower and......)
Biggs: "Aim for those stupid idiots!"
"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!!"
(Biggs collapses.)
(A mechanical crab pursues the group and attacks at every opportunity.)
(During every fight, when the crab goes down....)
Zell:"Hey, let's escape right now!"
"We can escape by holding pressing L2 and R2 buttons at the same time."
(Eventually the game ends and......
============================================================================
7)GAMESHARK CODE:FINAL FANTASY VIII DEMO
============================================================================
Here are the gameshark codes to help you in your demo but again it's best not to use these codes as it might ruin your discovery and lessen your experience.Avoid using them as much as possible since the demo isn't that difficult at all to complete.
Quick Attack Zell 800d89d85dc0
80068acc5dc0
Quick Attack Squall 800d8a305dc0
80068c085dc0
Quick Attack Rinoa 800d8a885dc0
80068d445dc0
All characters infinite health 800d873c 0125
800d8794 0112
800d87ec 00f3
Infinite items 800d9930 0601
800d9936 0006
Unlimited Time to escape at the end of Demo 800684e0 0382
All characters Special Attack 80068ab6 0454
80068bf2 0454
80068d2e 0454
Max ATB 80068a5c 5cd0
80068b98 5dc0
80068cd4 5dc0
800d8738 5dc0
800d8790 5dc0
800d87e8 5dc0
============================================================================
8)COMPARISON:FINAL FANTASY VIII DEMO
============================================================================ Warning:I know many diehard fans would call me up and e-mail me saying i'll wrong or anything after reading below.After all,many diehard fans still regarded Final Fantasy 3 and Chrono Trigger as one of their best RPGs games.
Of course,if you might not have played Final Fantasy 3 or Chrono,forget about it but at least I'll glad that i have played both games.It's sad to say that modern games cannot offer the rich gameplay by the old,classic games,except for some.And if you owned a SNES,think about games like Final Fantasy 3,Chrono trigger,zelda:A link to the past,the old 2-D Contra,you will realised how awesome your SNES is.Take Contra for a good example,
remember,Up,UP,Down,Down,Left,right,Left,right,B,A,Select,Start for extra 30 lifes more?I would rather play the old contra rather than Contra:legacy of war for Playstation.I bought legacy of war two years ago and i didn't like it at all.I'll glad i have a SNES with me and don't argue anymore for FF7.
Let's just hope 8 will get better.After all,if you asked anyone who has been playing Final Fantasy from the 16-bit days to the 32-bit days,they will say they prefer the old Final Fantasy a little more.Maybe it's because of the change in era and it's time to move into a modern,futuristic time.I agree with you for that.I,too loved the materia and the limit break in FF7.But just take it as a reference of what to expect from 8 and other future Final Fantasy.I have also make comparsions of Final Fantasy 7 to Final Fantasy 8,mainly on the changes such as comparing materia to draw,limit break to special attack.Read on it.
Note:All these were based on my own opinions.I loved to express my
view.Don't tell anyone.
Will Final Fantasy 8 be able to take over Final Fantasy 3 and 7 as the best of the RPG ever made?In my opinion,Final Fantasy 3 rank first,followed by Chrono Trigger.
For your info,FF3 in America is known as FF6 in Japan,so you guess it FF7 for the playstation is the sequel to FF3 in America but unfortunately most agree that FF7 is a classic good game but can't beat FF3.
Old Tradition
-Active Time Bar
-Chocobos
-Names
-Map
Any Final Fantasy games without Chocobos and an ATB in the battle would not be called Final Fantasy.It seems like the tradition of having ATB and chocobos would remain in every Final Fantasy even 9,10 and so on.Also,Square has a tradition of carrying names over to the next series even though they are not of the same character.Example,Biggs and Wedge,Cid and chocobos.
And in every almost RPGs,there is always an world map.It's a feature that will never change in all RPG.And every new RPG,the world map just gets more and more realistic with a 3-D feel.
Graphics
I like the graphics enviroment in Final Fantasy 7 and 8 but in my mind,it would be better to offer sort of cartoony,brighter color,like the tradition RPGs and an overhead 2-D enviroment.Sort of Nintendo-type.FF7 has some really cool lightening effects but in some area where the camera is viewed very far away and the character just looks damm small,it's just makes exploring the place difficult.Final Fantasy 8 seems to have similar type of enviroment like 7.Let's just hope it will improve.Square has announced that the characters will no longer be super-deformed like Final Fantasy 7 and will be more towards adult-like form.Looking at the demo,the characters indeed look more realistic than the characters in Final Fantasy 7.But the problem is can the 3-D enviroments offer the same exploration and freedom as the 2-D ones?
Storyline
In the past,storylines were based on legends and myths like Dragons,Demons and so on.However,in Final Fantasy 7,the setting was more of a futuristic,
conspiracy storyline and seem more of a less fantasy.It seems like the
Fantasy we once new will knew no longer be exist.Even Final Fantasy 8 story was placed on a more futuristic,modern time.I am not saying that the story wasn't great for 7 and 8.Besides,Square has announced that the theme of the story in 8 is toward love and not like the already disappointed FF7 that talk about the end of the world,conspiracy and so on.It seems to be a good new and could really make up for the dissapointing FF7's story.That's what i heard from most sources but wouldn't you love to fight against a storyline with something like saving the world from the Demon's clutches,defeating Dragons,searching for mystical objects like Legendary sword etc and not more of those conspiracy hunting down the shinra that is sucking up Mako from the Earth like Final Fantasy 7.I still love Final Fantasy 7 story,sad to hear Aeris is dead but it really can't match the feeling like the past FFs and traditional RPGs.A setting of something like Wild Arms would be better.
Pure,Simple and fantasy.Of course,i would try something new but it seems the fantasy will no longer be there.Final Fantasy 7 was more of a cinematic game than an RPG but hopefully,FF8 will be even better than 7.
A distinct pattern?
Besides,have you noticed a distinct pattern for the 32-bit games like Brave Fencer Musashi,Parasite eve,Final Fantasy 7 and now Final Fantasy 8.In Final Fantasy 7,you have only 10 minutes to escape before the mako reactor blows up but in 8,you have 15 minutes to escape before the whole place gets explode and you are being chased after by a self-repair mechanical spider.
And in games like Parasite eve,you will need to run away to the engine room before the ultimate being really catches up with you and in Brave Fencer,the first chapter you are being chased down the forest by a statue head and in the final chapter,you are being chased after by Dark Lumina.It seems like Square favours a lot of this being chasing type game.Is this a good thing or a bad thing?However,it does tells us a lot about future Square games.Of course,if you played Brave Fencer and Parasite eve before,you know what i'll talking about.If not,forget it.
CG-sequence and FMV
It seems that starting from 7,all FF from the future would have all FMVs and CG-sequence.Sure enough,this could be a good feature but do you think it is necessary?I do like some FMVs and CG-sequence which really adds to the gameplay.And you can expect,Final Fantasy 8 will most probably be a four to
five CD.It has been said that the final version of Final Fantasy 8 will packed in lots more FMVs than 7 and the videos just look really amazing.I saw some screenshots in some sites and it is really one word,'Stunning'.
Great music
I don't need to explain anymore.Anyone who has played any Squaresoft RPG wil know that Squaresoft concentrates a lot on music.You will bet Squaresoft games will always have some cool music.Xenogears is a good example.The music is damm good.Even the intro of FF8demo music is that cool,you will expect tons of such good music from the final version.And Square has signed a deal
with Faye Wong,the most popular female singer in Hong Kong,known as the Heavenly Queen will be singing a song entitled "Eye On Me" for Final Fantasy 8.wow,cool,isn't it?I hope it gets better.
Would Final Fantasy 8 be the best?
I have decided to make a comparison between Final Fantasy 7 and 8
Draw command v.s Materia combinations
The Draw command is a good feature that will be used in FF8.The draw command is sort of a more easy to use and simply to use than the materia.Think for a while,you have to spent lots and lots of time arranging your materia,trying out different combinations.Now,with all this Draw command,everything is arranged properly for use.There is no need to spent time figuring out what
this materia is used for.Simple,easy to use and easy to understand.The draw command has disadvantages too.With the draw command,you cannot experimenting magics,spells by yourself.It may lessen the exploration and the thrill of discovery.What makes the materia so successful in 7?Having a mime and a knight of the round or perform commands like enemy skills,deathblows,
Slash all,and steal etc?Wouldn't it be better to perform two commands at one go by equipping HP-absorb with deathblow or something else anytime rather than having forced to stock your spell?In my mind,the draw command could be something bad and something new.With the draw command,it's unlikely that you will be able to perform such moves anymore.Even if there is a mime for you to draw from your enemy,how many times must you draw?Even if so,you would not certainly remember which enemies has such spells,would you?And what happens if you forget to stock up cure spell when all the nearby enemies doesn't has cure spell?Do you need to waste time travelling to another place just to stock up that particular spell?I mean it would be easy to stock up spells in the demo but what about in the Final version when you reach a world map or in a dungeon or anything else.Do you have to come out of the dungeon again,stocked out a particular spell that you are in need of and go in again to restart everything?In my own opinion,the draw command cannot offer the varied gameplay used by the materia system.But who knows yet?Maybe the final version will be...
Special Attack v.s Limit Break
The special attack looks to be able to replace the limit break.The difference is that special attack appears randomly and there is now way to detect when a character is close to achieving special attack unlike having a gauge bar in Final Fantasy 7.The only way to increase chances of achieving it is to have low HP.To make matters worse,in 8,you cannot carry this special attack over to the next turn or next battle which seems like a bad news.The good news is that the special attacks looks graphically much better than the 7 series and squall's fated circle is really innovative by having a meter at the bottom and pressing R1 at the correct time to inflict greater damage.However,i'll not sure if you can train your special attacks and learn new attacks like FF7.If yes,it is sure to be a great hit and definitely be much better than 7.
Summon Materia v.s Guardian Force
In the demo,only Rinoa is the only character who can summon creatures.It's not sure whether other members like Squall and Zell will ever get a chance to summon.The advantage of the materia is that each character can perform summons,commands,magic and there is equal balance.In this demo,a guardian force would be more preferred over because you get to summon the creature anytime and addition,there is no MP.I bet if Rinoa is the only summoner,all the great summoned creatures like Knight of the Round,Bahamut would go to her when the final version comes out,then what's the use of having special attacks when you have to wait.The good news again is that each creature would again be more graphically impressive than 7.Leviathan is a good
example.The game supports duel shock controller and when the final version comes out with other powerful summoned creature like Knight of the round,
Bahamut,you will feel the true vibration of every creature you summoned.
Junction Menu v.s Link-up Materia Combination
Junction Menu resembles the materia system but in this demo,you can't use it.I will give a brief info of what a Junction menu is.For example,if you have berserk,junction it to status defense,and you will be protected from
any berserk attack.The more number of spells you have the better,for example,if you have 100x cure3 spell,junctioned it to HP,and your HP will rise more than if you just junctioned 50x cure3 spell.The stronger the magic, the better.Okay,you will know when you play the actual version.But,
is it better than the link-up materia system.Unfortuately,not at all.That's
no Knight of the Round or mime command in FF8,no slash-all or whatever.I still prefer the complex materia combinations because it offers more fun.
I have finished the actual full version of Final Fantasy 8(Japan).If you
want more informations on junction menu,please refer to my Final Fantasy 8 Basic Guide, as well as my other Final Fantasy VIII faq at www.gameFAQs.com.
Do you think i made a fair comparsions?E-mail me at ysf@pacific.net.sg.
Would the Draw command and Special attack be good enough to replace the highly successful materia and limit break.I love the materia system and limit system used in final Fantasy 7.Already,the game has got really cool FMVs,with the improved graphics,it might even blow Final Fantasy 7 away but i don't think it will be as good as Final Fantasy 3.Don't get the wrong idea.I was quite disappointed by Final Fantasy 7's storyline.The story is good in 7 but can't match the feeling when i am playing 16-bit Final Fantasy but the materia and the limit break soon make up for it and don't forget about breeding chocobos and beating the two weapons.Furthermore,this time,
the story was based on love as a theme and not conspiracy like FF7,the story could really offers the fantasy that 7 doesn't has.I am just as excited about Final Fantasy 8 just as you are.However,if Final Fantasy 8 has to be as successfull as Final Fantasy 7,then Square has to focus more on the Draw command and make sure the Draw command is successfull because it will affect everything in the battle and every enemies draw spell must be planned very careful.Am I right?The most critical thing is whether the Draw command would be as good as the materia system.I am listing out the only possibilities between what I see in the demo and compared it to 7.The possibilities might or might not exist when the final version comes in.It is just an assumption so pls don't scold me if you have something that you do not agree with.What do you think?You decide!
============================================================================
9)GENERAL TIP:FINAL FANTASY VIII DEMO
============================================================================
-Always keep your character's HP high over 120.
-Do not get distracted during the battle and leave your controller.If
so,pause the game.
-Save items like Potion and Phoenix Down for bosses
-Spent some time drawing cure,double and other strong elemental attacks
-Do not use Rinoa's spells as her spell stock are very limited.Concentrate
her on guardian force.Save cure spell and other magic spell for bosses.Rely
more on Squall and Zell's draw ability.
-Spent some time mastering your gunblade ability,perfecting your R1 button
-Study the map and terrain carefully so that you know what to do when that
mechanical spider chases you.
-Use Zell and Squall as your party offensive hitter.Also,use Zell and
Squall's draw command to draw as much cure as possible.
-Open L1 button to access extra text boxes.This can be a lifesaver.
-Press L2 and R2 run from battle
-Be sure to heal your character before the battle end.So that your character
will have high HP for the next battle.Why?Because there's no menu here in
the demo where you can heal your character outside the battle.
============================================================================
10)DEMO/FULL VERSION DIFFERENCES:FINAL FANTASY VIII DEMO
============================================================================
I suggest that you don't read this until you buy the actual version or at least finished the demo.I,myself,one of Final Fantasy Fans,who can't wait for the English version,has imported the game,and i have already finished the actual version(Japanese).If you want to know more about Final Fantasy 8,
you can find my Final Fantasy 8 Basic Guide at www.gameFAqs.com.But if you have not played the actual version,i suggest you don't read it because it may be a spoiler.My basic guide contains informations of the basics tutorial of playing Final Fantasy 8,for example,what is junctioning,draw,etc.
Meanwhile,here are the the differences when you are in actually playing the same scene at Dollet in actual version.
Note:I am not sure about the PC Final Fantasy VIII demo as i have
not played before. To what i know, Square recently released
PC version of Final Fantasy VIII demo in the internet. You can
download it if you want from certain sites, but it's going to
take a long time to finish unless you have a fast connection.
Game
=====
1)Rinoa is not in the actual game at this point unlike the demo.
=>Squall hasn't met Rinoa until at the ball. It thus makes sense
why Rinoa is not in the actual game.
2)The party for the demo is Squall, Zell and Rinoa. In the actual
version, the main party is Squall, Zell, Seifer/Selphie. You
can control Seifer for the first half of the mission until you
reach the bottom of the communication tower, and then, it will
be taken over by Selphie. Just like Squall, Seifer can also
trigger the R1 button function.
3)The only Guardian Force in the game is Leviathan whereas in the
actual game, if you have not missed any Guardian Forces, you
should have four Guardian Forces at the end of the Dollet Mission,
naming Quezacotl, Shiva, Ifrit and Siren. You won't get Leviathan
during Dollet Mission in the actual version.
4)You will be given 30 minutes to reach the beach in the actual game,
instead of 15 minutes in the demo. This is good as it is twice
the time now.
5)There is no save point at the entrance of Dollet as well as inside
the communciation tower for the demo game. Well, like what Matt
Hobbs say, it does makes sense.
6)There are no draw points along the way during the demo version.
Example, there is one draw point in the communication tower,
at the save point.
7)There is no menu screen for the demo.
8)Characters cannot gain exp, AP unlike the actual version. In my
personal opinion, the characters in demo are weaker as you have
only one Guardian Force, instead of four at the end. Futhermore,
you can't gain levels and the quantity of spells you draw seems
to be very little.
9)Rinoa is the only one in the demo who can summon Guardian Forces,
but cannot use limit breaks and draw. On the other hand, Squall and
Zell cannot summon but can do limit breaks. In the actual version,
you can select the commands you want, whether it is Guardian
Force, Item, Magic, Draw and so on.
10)In the demo version, limit breaks can be used several times for
Squall and Zell and this can be achieved by pressing the switch
member button even if your HP are high. However, this has been
changed for the actual version as there is now an internal
parameter called Crisis level which affects your chances of
using a limit break.
11)Squall's and Zell's limit break are Fated Circle and Meteo Barret
respectively in the demo game. In the actual version, Squall's
and Zell's limit breaks are Renzokuken and Duel respectively.
12)The demo is not actually the beginning of the actual game. In the
actual version, it starts off with a CG starring a fight between
Squall and Seifer.
13)The uniforms Squall and Zell are wearing are different in the demo
version. It applies during battle and CG as well.
14)The enemies in the hills have changed as you do not fight
Anaconduars in the actual game.
15)Enemies did not leave behind any items in the demo game.
16)You can't take a shortcut by jumping down a hill in the demo
version unlike the actual version.
17)The type of draw spells and the type of enemies you encountered
show some variations.
18)The dialogues are different since the characters you used are
different between the demo and the actual version.
19)The demo did not have an option of hiding inside the cafe unlike
the actual version.
20)The demo version did not show any traces of any Squad members
present unlike the actual version.
Music
=====
1)The introduction CG music is different from the actual version for
the demo version. [I prefer the introduction CG music in the demo
slighly more than the actual version.]
2)The background music on your way to Dollet seems to be different.
CG
=====
1)Final Fantasy VIII logo don't appears in the actual version unlike
the demo version.
2)The uniforms in the CG are different. This applies to battle scenes
as well.
3)Rinoa is not seen in the CG in the actual version unlike the demo
version.
4)There is no FMV of Selphie at the hill in the demo unlike the
actual version. This makes sense because Selphie is not included
in the demo game.
5)Quistis is seen at the beach firing at X-ATM082 in the actual
version unlike the demo version. In the demo version, it is replaced
by a soldier. This is the scene when the group escapes to the beach.
That's all i have found. If you have more, feel free to contact me
at
============================================================================
11)CONFIRMED INFORMATION:FINAL FANTASY VIII DEMO
============================================================================
Again,this is another spoiler section.Read it at your own risk.All these informations represent what you are going to see and what you are not going to see in Final Fantasy 8,actual version.
1)No gold saucer in FF8.
2)No chocobo breeding in FF8.
3)Cid is the principal of Balamb Garden
4)You can catch a chocobo in chocobo forest.But these chocobos can only
cross shallow water at the most.
=>You don't need to equip with chocobo lure anymore.
5)Unlike FF7,there is no submarine or any underwater world.
6)Eyes On Me,sang in English by Faye Wong is in.
7)Cloud is one of the shop owner in a city.Can't disclose.Minor character.
8)There are a total of 16 G.Fs that can earn levels and abilities.
9)A card game is included.Collect cards throughout your journey,including
pictures card of characters,enemies,boss.
10)Laguna is another male lead of FF8,beside Squall.The party will switched
to Squall sometimes when Squall is asleep.
=>Extreme spoiler.
11)Laguna is not a gay.He has another two partners,Ward and Kiros.
12)Cars,buses included as part of the vehicle.
13)Ragnarok is the name of the ultimate red airship.
14)Special arts,or limit is not just learn by gaining levels or reading
manual.
=>Unique way of learning(Spoiler)
15)No armour shop in FF8.You can only upgrade weapons only.To upgrade
weapons,you need to find certain type/quantity of items,plus pay a sum
of money.
=>Confused???
16)You don't need to just draw magic from enemies just to get the spell.
There are draw points that contain magic scattered around in the world
map or field,which you can draw to get spells.
17)Junction system is added in.
=>Allows you to junction certain magics to your characters' attributes.
Eg.Junctioning Berserk to Status Defense give you defense against Berserk.
18)Dual Shock controller is compatible with the game.
19)There is a chocobo RPG land,which you can only played using a PDA,
PocketStation.In this RPG land,chocobos will be able to gain levels,
rescuing and so on.
20)Final Fantasy 8 has no story connections with Final Fantasy 7.
21)Parallel Level Feature Incorporated
=>Characters' level rises,enemy level rises.
=>Need 1000exp to earn a new level all the time.
=>Not in the main party,cannot earn exp.
Eg.If Rinoa is not in the main party fighting,then she won't gain any exp.
22)Earn money through ranking
=>Higher ranking,earn more money each time.
=>Determine by the distances you have walked for each time interval.
=>Sit for tests to advance rankings by answering questions.
23)Only three party members at one,not four.
=>A serious rumor found in most sites,thinking that FFVIII can have 4
members in a fight.
24)Final Fantasy VIII break sales record of FFVII,selling 3.1 millions
copies in Japan,0.1 million more than FFVII.
25)Confirmed for the English version to be released between July to
September for the PlayStation.
26)PocketStation,PDA is currently out of stock in japan.
That's the neccessary informations that you need.I won't give more.
____________________________________________________________________________
That's all.I don't want to leak out too many informations.Meanwhile,enjoy
your Final Fantasy 8 Demo and Brave Fencer Musashi.If you need to know more informations on Final Fantasy 8,feel free to mail me.
____________________________________________________________________________
Credits
-Myself
For everything you see here.
____________________________________________________________________________
Feedback
Did I missed out any points,errors,spellings mistake or wrong info.
Feel free to contact me through ysf@pacifc.net.sg or ICQ:25076522
Any corrections is welcomed.
____________________________________________________________________________
About The Author
Mail me at ysf@pacific.net.sg
Visit me at ICQ:25076522
Feel Free to give me your comment
Visit my site http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Portal/7933/
All comment and contributions is welcomed.
Credits will be given for any info or contribution.
Visit my Brave Fencer Musashiden at GameFAQ,the ultimate FAQ for this latest thrillingly action-RPG masterpiece from the best RPG developer that is Square,of course.
____________________________________________________________________________
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Yee Seng Fu(Yu Shenfu).Thank you for your cooperation.No part of this could
be reproduced without the prior writer's permission.This Faq is allowed for
individual use but not for commercial use or publishing.No part of this FAqs
could be re-edited without the writer's permission.Any enquires or
additional info about the game may contact the author through email ysf@pacific.net.sg or ICQ:25076522.Visit my site.My URL is as below: http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Portal/7933/
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