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[lifa-cobex]

I'll start this thread by saying this is not a FF8 bashing thread. I liked FF8 very much when I first played it.

So recently there have been some threads going around about it and I decided to replay it myself.
I was interested in all the theories such as Rinoa being the sorceress Ultimecia and the more plausible to me of Squall being dead after disc one.
http://squallsdead.com/

To follow on from this theory...
The way characters viewed Squall seem to change drastically. From the start I had the feeling that no one really liked Squall (aside from Quistis who fancied him). I felt like Zell, Selphie and Rinoa only really tolerated Squall for his Seed skills and everyone thought he was a total buzz kill.
From disc two everyone started looking up to him and hoping for the best in his personality.

To stub out the theory of Rinoa being Ultimecia, on disc one towards the end you will briefly play as Rinoa to give Edea one of Odines bangles. From this Edea (controlled by Ultimecia) possess Rinoa and offers her up as a sacrifice. *Paradox* Rinoa dies...No Ultimecia.


There are so many fan sites with different theories to this game that leads me to one conclusion with no absolute answer, the story has far too many holes in and was never finished. Too many concept ideas were being thrown around and got put in at different intervals and didn't completely fuse together. (Too many cooks!!!)

The one thing that gets me about all of this game is how nothing seems to be on one set path. The story seems to change after disc one from a very serious tone to an almost dream like and surreal state.

At first the whole Seed garden/ military thing seemed very upfront and seemed to set the tone. Being in a military school, being hired as private mercs and as assassins.
From the beginning of Disc 2, the whole military operations theme from the first disc seems to be pushed aside. Squall becomes leader of a whole mercenary school and thats that. It seems very flawed and effortless to me.

Rinoa had very little interest in Squall and stated she and Siefer were kind of an item. After disc one this story seems totally thrown away. Very little is mentioned between them or about the whole affair. Rinoa just seems to rapidly change her opinion of Squall and swoon after him.


Another thing that baffled me was at the end. When Squall is drifting through time you see Edea receiving powers from Ultimecia. Edea said that she received her powers from a dying witch. Does this mean that it's another never ending loop?

Also what's the deal with Ellone? Is she a sorceress or just have random time powers?

The main point I'm trying to ask is did this game have multiple writers brought into it at different points. The theme of the story seems to change quite rapidly (mainly after disc 1) and take on a whole different direction.
Comparing this to other FF games where most of the story flows from one climax to another. This FF is almost unbalanced (story wise).

 

[Beth Cyra]

Well aside from all the theory's being put to rest, and all extremely reaching even before then (though I did like Rinoa=Ulty even if it made far less since then the game itself) I don't see how you came to the conclusion Rinoa dismissed Squall.

From the beginning she doesn't show disinterest and honestly the way she is written is much more believable then her falling for Squall the first minute she meets him.

As it is she meets him, fights with him learns about him and takes a liking to him. This is much more believable then most FF romances when the two leads pretty much fall for each other right off the bat.

 

[Dreamgazer]

I think the more important thing is.

How do your mount a dog as an arm cannon?

 

[SlipperyFishes]

Another thing that baffled me was at the end. When Squall is drifting through time you see Edea receiving powers from Ultimecia. Edea said that she received her powers from a dying witch. Does this mean that it's another never ending loop?

You're over thinking it. It's all wibbly, wobbly, timey-wimey stuff.

 

[IdreamofHIME]

....
go talk to a wall

 

[Meccanical]

Well aside from all the theory's being put to rest, and all extremely reaching even before then (though I did like Rinoa=Ulty even if it made far less since then the game itself) I don't see how you came to the conclusion Rinoa dismissed Squall.

From the beginning she doesn't show disinterest and honestly the way she is written is much more believable then her falling for Squall the first minute she meets him.

As it is she meets him, fights with him learns about him and takes a liking to him. This is much more believable then most FF romances when the two leads pretty much fall for each other right off the bat.

There is no believable FF romance .

 

[IdreamofHIME]

Another thing that baffled me was at the end. When Squall is drifting through time you see Edea receiving powers from Ultimecia. Edea said that she received her powers from a dying witch. Does this mean that it's another never ending loop?

That's the twist, the fact the story is destined to loop for eternity.

 

[Ferrio]

 

[TacticalFox88]

FFVIII's story is probably the most retarded story in JRPG history...which is saying something.

 

[lifa-cobex]

Well aside from all the theory's being put to rest, and all extremely reaching even before then (though I did like Rinoa=Ulty even if it made far less since then the game itself) I don't see how you came to the conclusion Rinoa dismissed Squall.

From the beginning she doesn't show disinterest and honestly the way she is written is much more believable then her falling for Squall the first minute she meets him.

As it is she meets him, fights with him learns about him and takes a liking to him. This is much more believable then most FF romances when the two leads pretty much fall for each other right off the bat.

When does that happen. Rinoa stated she was waiting for someone else at the dance thing (Seifer I presume). She keeps wondering what he's doing and where but Squall keeps dismissing it as not giving a fuc.

You're over thinking it. It's all wibbly, wobbly, timey-wimey stuff.

Maybe. It's just in mind atm.

 

[Beth Cyra]

There is no believable FF romance .

Agreed.

When does that happen. Rinoa stated she was waiting for someone else at the dance thing (Seifer I presume). She keeps wondering what he's doing and where but Squall keeps dismissing it as not giving a fuc.


Maybe. It's just in mind atm.

Yeah she was, this doesn't mean she shows disinterest in Squall. Being totally into a man she never met or saw before while waiting on Headmaster Cid to hopefully help save her home would have been far worse.

 

[Hystzen]

Another thing that baffled me was at the end. When Squall is drifting through time you see Edea receiving powers from Ultimecia. Edea said that she received her powers from a dying witch. Does this mean that it's another never ending loop?

That's how I always viewed it the events in FF8 already occurred due to time being an endless loop

Also I think Zell and Selphie knew Squall was a alright guy just wanted him to get out of his shell abit and open up not just they like his SeeD skills. But due to his trust issues he tries not to course he does so as game progresses.

 

[Karsticles]

There is no believable FF romance .

Have you not played FFVI?

 

[Bulzeeb]

I remember ejoying the game but not thinking much about the story, for me the real question is why hasn't SE made a remake of this

most addicting part of the game imo

 

[Admiral Bone to Pick]

I remember ejoying the game but not thinking much about the story, for me the real question is why hasn't SE made a remake of this

most addicting part of the game imo

Fully agreed. Square could probably release a version of this game on PSN/XBLA and make bank.

 

[Wellscha]

FFVIII's story is probably the most retarded story in JRPG history...which is saying something.

.

 

[lifa-cobex]

There is no believable FF romance .

FF9 kinda worked but thinking about it......hmm

I remember ejoying the game but not thinking much about the story, for me the real question is why hasn't SE made a remake of this

most addicting part of the game imo

preferred 9's card game

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

FFVIII's story is probably the most retarded story in JRPG history...which is saying something.

not really. FF13 saga takes that. Just because people have stupid theories doesn't make it THAT stupid. Like some of these theories are awful.

Anyway people should just go refer to the final fantasy wiki if they're confused about anything. Explains a lot of things really well.

 

[lifa-cobex]

I didn't want to bring up the Time compression thing.
I just thought I was missing something and just didn't get it.
"she will go to the past to get to are present so you can travel to her future to stop her from compressing time"......WAAA

 

[Shadow Ranger]

Fully agreed. Square could probably release a version of this game on PSN/XBLA and make bank.

Said it before. Enhance the game and sell new packs based on other FF games of SE IP. Rare cards with all A's or S's etc. Sort of like FIFA Ultimate Team.

 

[SixMachine]

FF9 kinda worked but thinking about it......hmm

preferred 9's card game

FF9 had a straightforward romance and was fairytale like in a way because it's just a rogue and princess falling in love. Most people are turned off by the artstyle but I think it fit it's story really well.

FF9 also taught me hexadecimal when I was 11.

 

[lifa-cobex]

not really. FF13 saga takes that. Just because people have stupid theories doesn't make it THAT stupid. Like some of these theories are awful.

Anyway people should just go refer to the final fantasy wiki if they're confused about anything. Explains a lot of things really well.

Its not that fact of not understanding parts of the game. My main point to this thread was the levels how how the story seems to change it's theme.

 

[Beren]

I remember ejoying the game but not thinking much about the story, for me the real question is why hasn't SE made a remake of this

most addicting part of the game imo

Every single FF should have triple triad

 

[Andrefpvs]

Also what's the deal with Ellone? Is she a sorceress or just have random time powers?

Most likely the latter.

 

[Raging Spaniard]

This is kind of old, has been argued in GAF before and the hteory was formed by Gaffers like duckroll and rahul

I dont believe it.

 

[StalkerUKCG]

There is no believable FF romance .

Shuyin and Lenne

 

[Beth Cyra]

Shuyin and Lenne

This my favorite.

I still can't say this was all that well written though.

 

[Meccanical]

Shuyin and Lenne

if you say so

 

[Pop-O-Matic]

There is no believable FF romance .

If you count Kingdom Hearts, there's Sora and Riku.

 

[lifa-cobex]

This is kind of old, has been argued in GAF before and the hteory was formed by Gaffers like duckroll and rahul

I dont believe it.

In what way?
During most of the game it felt like the story never knew what it wanted to do with itself.

 

[Meccanical]

If you count Kingdom Hearts, there's Sora and Riku.

 

[Onemic]

FF8 is da shit

Im on disc 3 with every character at lvl 100. Have all the GF's and all I have left in terms of secrets is to beat Omega weapon.

And damn, FF8 still looks great, especially on the vita.

 

[lifa-cobex]

FF8 is da shit

Im on disc 3 with every character at lvl 100. Have all the GF's and all I have left is to beat Omega weapon.

Aside from getting eden then?
You will find the rest of the game a breeze.

 

[Hystzen]

Aside from getting eden then?
You will find the rest of the game a breeze.

Eden is from Ulitma Weapon

Omega is the strongest enemy in game encountered doing the bell trick in Ulitimecia Castle

 

[lastflowers]

Replaying the game now. I spend half my time playing triple triad. So much fun.

Could never understand 9's card system.

 

[TheBryanJZX90]

FF7 was the first time I was a little suspicious of a Square JRPG plot, and FF8 basically killed the genre for me. I struggled through the plot until I finally got to the whole orphanage revelation and it was just like, "Ok, this entire genre is bullshit, I don't need to play it any more." That decision has served me pretty well.

 

[Pop-O-Matic]

I'm completely fucking serious. I'm not the kind of person who sees two prettyboys together and just assume they are in a relationship, but the amount of romantic subtext between them is fucking insane. Either it was completely intentional, or Square REALLY dropped the ball with that one.

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

My favorite Final Fantasy.
I actually like the Rinoa/Ultimecia thing even if it doesn't make sense.

 

[Professor Beef]

Replaying the game now. I spend half my time playing triple triad. So much fun.

Could never understand 9's card system.

It's all hexadecimals with a ton of luck.

 

[Alec]

lol

 

[TheSpoiler]

There is no believable FF romance .

In 9, it takes the lead changing from a player to a one-type-of-girl guy, and they don't even get together until 3 years after the game's end.

 

[lifa-cobex]

Eden is from Ulitma Weapon

Omega is the strongest enemy in game encountered doing the bell trick in Ulitimecia Castle

uhh? oh rite! I'll go back on one of my saves and check that out

 

[Manu]

Pretty much. Just enjoy the ride.

 

[lifa-cobex]

My favorite Final Fantasy.
I actually like the Rinoa/Ultimecia thing even if it doesn't make sense.

Me too. It's one of the points about the story I was trying to make. It does seem like this was a main element they wanted to put in but in the end it didn't fit with the rest of what was going on.
It felt as if they tried to edit it out but not entirely.

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

Me too. It's one of the points about the story I was trying to make. It does seem like this was a main element they wanted to put in but in the end it didn't fit with the rest of what was going on.
It felt as if they tried to edit it out but not entirely.

Agree.

 

[SkylineRKR]

Time compression was retarded.

Ultimecia, well, she wasn't really Deus ex machina. It was obvious that Edea was possessed, as a lot of people said she used to be a nice woman. And you'll see Ultimecia at the end of disc 2. Which is a reasonable moment for the final boss to make its move.

But time compression was really '...whatever'. Did she want it to stop the fated loop she was stuck in? In that case, its exactly the same plot as the Caius/Yeul thing.

 

[Beth Cyra]

Time compression was retarded.

Ultimecia, well, she wasn't really Deus ex machina. It was obvious that Edea was possessed, as a lot of people said she used to be a nice woman. And you'll see Ultimecia at the end of disc 2. Which is a reasonable moment for the final boss to make its move.

But time compression was really '...whatever'. Did she want it to stop the fated loop she was stuck in? In that case, its exactly the same plot as the Caius/Yeul thing.

I thought the motivations for Ultimecia are the best written Villian we have in FF yet. The fact she is hunted, hated and pushed into what she is doing before she is even born gave a real since of understanding for why she would hate and desire humanity's death as much as she did.

Sadly the way the TC worked in the game just couldn't hold up the great backstory for her.

 

[.GqueB.]

I remember ejoying the game but not thinking much about the story, for me the real question is why hasn't SE made a remake of this

most addicting part of the game imo

Fuuuuck I loved that game. Liked Blitzball too...

COME AT ME!!!

 

[Natetan]

Whatever

 

[lifa-cobex]

I thought the motivations for Ultimecia are the best written Villian we have in FF yet. The fact she is hunted, hated and pushed into what she is doing before she is even born gave a real since of understanding for why she would hate and desire humanity's death as much as she did.

Sadly the way the TC worked in the game just couldn't hold up the great backstory for her.

So what you're saying is she is hated because of what she will become? Time loop thing.
I like that, however not enough meat on the bones of the story for that.
I don't think that was ever something that was brought up about her.