Today’s game is Final Fantasy VIII (technically the Remaster). I picked this, IX, XIII, XV all up recently with a sale. What’s with the sudden interest in final fantasy? I’m a big fan of Symphony’s. I think they’re a highly under appreciated and really important form of Public Art that’s slowly vanishing (Seriously, if it’s in your budget go check out your local Symphony. They might have something that interests you). Earlier this year I took my friend to see Distant Worlds at our local Symphony for his birthday. He’s a big Final Fantasy fan. Especially XIV.

I’m sure where people can see where this is going, i heard Not Alone and was moved too tears (for IX), I saw the opening too XII and was interested, and XV I saw you get too push a fucking car and was sold (not even joking). So then you might be wondering “what about VIII?”. Well. I remember when I was little I always heard the “Squall is Dead” theory. Suffice to say I remembered that while picking some out and it piqued my interest in picking it up. Is it a stupid reason? Probably. But It sold me.

As for the actual game, I have mixed feelings. Combat only seems to run at around 15 FPS for me. Which isn’t great. I’m not a big “I need 60 FPS at least” guy. But 15 FPS is way too choppy. I was legitimately starting to feel a little sick. Overworld seems fine though.

Setting wise though I love the setting. Academy settings are really interesting to me and this seems to have that covered. Tying back to the “Squall is Dead” thing, it does actually make me wonder how the hell things escalate (even if he isn’t dead). Because I want to know how we go from “Academy” to “Holy fucking shit. He just got impaled with an iceberg 2x the size of his own head”.

Anyways. I got Ifrit, named him Greg, and I’m planning to settle in for a longer play session tomorrow. I’m not expecting a long game, especially because I’ll be making use of the boosts to avoid spending too much time grinding experience. I’m hoping I enjoy this and didn’t waste 5$.