Final Fantasy VIII Platinum

• Features an epic story line and a massive new world to explore.
• Dozens of hours of game play plus numerous side quests and minigames.
• Improved graphics engine provides lifelike characters and motion-captured animation.
• All enemies can be attacked with beautifully animated Guardian Forces.

Product Description ------------------- This latest instalment to the best-selling Final Fantasy series incorporates the theme of love into an RPG story-line of epic proportions. The Final Fantasy VIII world comes to life in a dazzling display of digital artistry as lifelike characters and seamlessly integrated CG animation are enhanced with Dolby Surround Sound technology. With Analogue Controller (Dual Shock) and PocketStation compatibility. .co.uk Review ------------- SquareSoft has always had a sure-fire hit when releasing any of their Final Fantasy titles, and Final Fantasy VIII should be no exception. The basis of a good RPG (role-playing game) has always been the story; spectacular graphics are secondary. Final Fantasy VIII's, involved and interesting storyline is filled with great twists, well-developed characters, suspense and romance. As an added bonus, the graphics are beautiful. Everything--from the low-lit jazz club to the steam-filled railroad tunnels--is gorgeous and perfectly sets the mood and tone of a scene. The game mechanics are standard fare for an RPG: acquisition of items and spells, turn-based combat, experience points earned in combat allowing advances in levels. From exploration to battles to dialogue, Final Fantasy VIII has it all. However, Final Fantasy VIII falls to that great weakness of RPGs: random battles. While necessary for advancing in levels, the battles occur with such frequency that they can grow annoying, making for a tedious game experience. The epic storyline spans four discs--over 40 hours of gameplay--and is based around a mercenary cadet who finds himself caught up with an underground rebel faction. He winds up in a plot to assassinate the sorceress who has just seized power from the president. You could complain of limited replay value, but this gripe is of no consequence; the game is such a satisfying experience, it doesn't require replay. Final Fantasy VIII is easily worth both the hype and the wait. You can't buy a much better game. --John Cocking P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); Manufacturer's Description -------------------------- In Final Fantasy VIII's nameless world, soldier training schools known as Gardens exist. The privately owned Gardens are unrelated to any government or organisations, although they make their money from sending their graduates to join forces the world over. However, each Garden also has special squads known as SeeD, formed from groups of graduates chosen for having abilities beyond those required for standard duty. At the Balemb Garden Academy, a new SeeD cadet called Squall Leonhart is quickly earning himself a reputation as an overly serious loner with the other recruits. That is, he does until he encounters Rinoa Heartilly, a beautiful free-spirited girl who forces him to question his own anti-social ways. Unfortunately, before he has time to dwell on these thoughts, his squad is called into action to deal with the nation of Galbadia who have become increasingly hostile of late. Is this irrational behaviour connected to the mysterious sorceress that has recently been seen with the country's president? So begins a tale of love, war, friendship and self discovery that captures the high drama of a film with stunning CG cinematics and combines them with an exceptional RPG experience in true Final Fantasy tradition. The innovative Junction System places the development of the various characters under your control as you determine how their magical abilities will evolve and improve throughout the game, essential for victory over the legion of enemies you will encounter on your journeys. This, the second Final Fantasy title for PSone, is a seriously worthy addition to the series that offers an emotionally charged storyline, memorable characters and scintillatingly deep gameplay. See more ( javascript:void(0) )