Thu, 25 Feb 1999 17:00:00 -0600
Final Fantasy 8 FAQ
This is my first faq, and its pretty rough (I'm certainly open to
suggestions)
Also, its in a fairly usable form, but I'm upgrading almost daily (if
that happens to pose a problem)..
http://www.lucius-warbaby.com/~lw
For the latest version of the FAQ
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| Revision History |
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v0.0: Just a "rough draft".
v0.1: A few major changes to the story line.
v0.2: Scrapped the old story line for a (hopefully) much better one. Thanks to
Krooner!
v0.3: Added the Controls section (thanks to Tetsuo!)
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| Final Fantasy VIII Faq v0.3 |
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*** Table of Contents ***
Part 1 - General Information
1.0 - Our intent
1.1 - Release Date
1.1.1 - Units sold
1.2 - Pre-ordering
1.3 - Platform
1.4 - Is FF8 a continuation of FF7?
1.4.1 - Cid Lives!
1.5 - Transportation
1.6 - What is a Chocobo?
1.6.1 - What do Chocobos do?
1.6.2 - Can you race/breed a chocobo like in FF7?
1.7 - Translations
Part 2 - Story
2.1 - General
2.2 - In Depth *** Spoilers ***
2.3 - Playable Characters
2.4 - Non Playable Characters
2.5 - Villains
Part 3 - Controls/Menus
3.1 - Basic Controls (Default)
3.2 - Main Menu
3.2.1 - Junction Menu
3.2.2 - Item Menu
3.2.3 - Magic Menu
3.2.4 - Status Menu
3.2.5 - Guardian Force Menu
3.2.6 - Abilities Menu
3.2.7 - Exchange Menu
3.2.8 - Cards Menu
3.2.9 - Configuration Menu
3.2.10 - Tutorial Menu
3.2.11 - Save Menu
Part 4 - Battle/Magic System
4.1 - Battle System
4.1.1 - Limit Breaks
4.2 - Magic System
4.2.1 - Junction Magic
4.2.2 - Guardian Forces
4.2.3 - Draw Command
4.3 - Levels
Part 4 - Technical Information
5.1 - Platform
5.2 - Number of CDs
5.3 - Music
5.4 - Technological Improvements
5.5 - Copy Protection
5.5.1 - Explanation
5.5.2 - Gameshark Codes
5.6 - Pocketstation
5.6.1 - Odekake Chocobo "Go Chocobo"
5.7 - Memory Cards
Part 5 - Rumours *** Possible Spoilers!!! ***
6.1 - General
6.2 - Final Fantasy 9
Part 7 - What we need
Part 8 - Credits/Feedback
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| Part 1 - General Information |
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1.0 - Our intent
Our intent in writing this faq is to condense the meager amount of information
about this game into one specific faq. This information, up to this point, was
simply gleaned from newsgroups and websites. And, of course, we intend on
updating this faq frequently to get it up to a usable level!
1.1 - Release Date(s), Units sold
Final Fantasy 8 (hitherto known as FF8) is due to be released in US by
Fall/Winter '99. Release dates for Europe and Australia are yet to be announced.
FF8 has already been released in Japan, where it sold over 2 million copies the
first day.
1.2 - About pre-ordering: Pros & Cons
So as not to be a schill for Squaresoft, I'll tell you the cons first. Well,
there's only one as far as I can see it - you're giving Squaresoft money that
could be earning interest for you in the bank. Fight the power!
On the pro side, you won't have to worry about shortages (assumedly), and, if
FF7 was any benchmark, you should get something cool when you pre-order (pre-
ordering FF7 got you a T-shirt and a copy of Sony Underground, I believe). There
is no news as of yet as to when FF8 orders can be placed.
1.4 - Is FF8 a continuation of FF7?
No.
As with the entire Final Fantasy series, each new chapter brings a whole new set
of characters and plot.
The only constant is Cid. That man don't die!
1.4.1 - Cid Lives!
What did you expect from a Final Fantasy game?
1.5 - What types of transportation will there be?
Chocobos and vehicles (cars, etc.) are known.
1.6 - What is a Chocobo?
They're big chicken like birds that do things for you.
1.6.1 - What do Chocobos do?
(From memory)
They can: Run, fly, procreate, get real fat and hold your items, kick enemies in
the behind (though not very hard), race, go "WARK!!!"... the only thing they
don't do, apparently, is mae good stew.
1.6.2 - Can you race/breed chocobos like in FF7?
Unsure. There is apparently a mini-game that allows you to battle chocobos.
1.7 - Translations
There is currently one partial transation that I know of. Its at:
http://oro.simplenet.com/ff8/#new
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| Part 2 - Story |
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2.1 - Intro
The Garden is a military school where six to nineteen-year-old boys and girls
gather to learn military skills while enduring communal living. Each country in
the world decided that graduates of the Garden would form a private group,
independent of any government or army. Assignment to any army was compulsory for
Garden graduates depending on whether negotiations were made between the
Garden's staff and a certain country's army. Graduates could become commanders
of a foreign army, but couldn't pick their place of duty. Passing the intense
final exams at the Garden were necessary to attain this lofty prize, however.
SeeD is a special forces group dispatched by the
Garden. Each member has exceptionally high abilities, but widely differs in
battle capabilities. Garden cadets may opt to take the SeeD Entrance Exam
instead of taking Final Exams, but passing the test is extremely difficult. The
duty of a SeeD member ranges from guarding to riot suppression, regardless of
every possible battle condition. Squall Leonhart apparently has a past with
SeeD. It's not known whether he was part of SeeD from the beginning of the game,
or developed some sort of relationship along the way. What is known is that he
was once part of Garden.
2.2 - In Depth *** Spoilers ***
Story (Contributed by Krooner); at some point this will either be limited to
very early events or expanded into a full walkthrough.
There was a time when domination ruled the planet. But there were no victims, no
dictators, no conquerors. SeeD, an organization founded in all the countries
around the world, removed military domination and created peace. SeeD members
are special and posses magic powers. In order to join SeeD, one must train at
Balamb Garden, a city with a "halo" over it, and then pass an exam.
Squall makes this his one aim and is very determined to pass and gain entrance
to SeeD. Then, one day, he could be like his idol "Seifer Almasy". Little does
he know that Seifer has been watching him from afar and is very jealous of the
17 year old's talents.
Meanwhile, a powerful witch, thought to be a myth, has awakened and now
threatens the peace of the world. A group of break-aways decide that this is a
sign, and worship her as if she were a God. The break-aways come from 2
neighbouring towns, "Galbadia" and "Dole".
When Squall is inducted into SeeD he attends a dinner party in the graduated
honour. There he meets in passing a young woman named Rinoa. When again they
meet, Rinoa reveals that she is the leader of the rebel organization "The Forest
Owls"; a rebel force fighting the nation of Galbadia.
The Owls are not terribly succesful in their attacks. Now that Squall is a SeeD
member, he agrees to see if they can help, but only if Galbadia is a major
threat. Rinoa then tells Squall of their dealings with the witch "Edea".
That night Squall has a very weird dream in which he sees a reporter named
"Laguna". Weirder still is that he is a Galbadian soldier in the same city he is
about to attack with the Owls. In the dream, Laguna is on a mission with two
other soldiers, Kiros and Ward to spy on neighbouring "Dole".
Squall awakens to discover that Galbadia has destroyed Dole and has declared war
upon the rest of the world. The President of Galbadia is being assisted by Edea,
and it is believed that she is using mind control on the citizens. Squall is
sent to assassinate her.
The Galbadian people take over a huge satellite to further their quest at world
domination. Seifer appears at Edea's side, possibly a victim of her mind
control. Squall's attempt to assassinate Edea is thwarted by Seifer, who
replicates his own scar on Squall's face.
2.3 - Playable Characters (PC)
Squall Leonhart is a reclusive, 17-Year old. Squall is a student at a famous
military school, Garden and wishes to become a member of SeeD, a famous military
organization, of which members of every country are in.
Name: Squall Leonhart
Age: 17
Sex: Male
Height: 5'10" (177 cm)
Birthdate: August 23rd
Bloodtype: AB
Occupation: SeeD Member
Status: PC
Weapon: Gunblade
Quistis is only 18 yet she is a teacher at Balamb Garden. She is an excellent
fighter, kind of like a prodigy of fighting. At 10 she entered the Garden and at
15 she was in SeeD.
Name: Quistis Trepe
Age: 17
Height: 5'6" (172 cm)
Birthdate: October 24th
Bloodtype: A
Occupation: Teacher at Balamb Gardens
Status: PC
Weapon: Chain Whip
Zell is a young character, just like Riona and Squall. Sporting a wild hair-do,
and a wierd looking tatoo on his face, Zell is one of the most exciting looking
characters in awhile.
Name: Zell Dintch
Age: 17
Height: 5'6"
Birthdate: March 17th
Status: Party Member
Weapon: Fist Gaunlets
Seifer is a stunning 18-Year old. He wields a broad sword and appears to have
emotional conflict with Squall.
Name: Seifer Almsay
Age: 18
Height: 6'1"
Birthdate: December 22nd
Occupation: Leader of SeeD (?)
Status: PC (?)
Weapon: Broad Sword
Selphie is a transfer student to Garden, and is a classmate of Squall in SeeD.
There is no romance or affection between her and Squall, just friends. She uses
the Nunchaku.
Name: Selphie Tilmitt
Age: 17
Height: 5'1" (157 cm)
Birthdate: July 16th
Bloodtype: B
Occupation: Student
Status: PC
Weapon: Nunchaku
Laguna Liore hails from a different planet than Squall. Laguna, a journalist, is
very peaceful and calm.
Name: Laguna Liore
Age: 27
Height: 5'11"
Occupation: Reporter/Journalist
Status: PC
Weapon: Gun
Kiros is a member of the Galbadian Army.
Name: Kiros
Age: ??
Height: ??
Occupation: Soldier
Status: PC
Weapon: ??
Ward is a member of the Galbadian Army.
Name: Ward
Age: ??
Height: ??
Occupation: Soldier
Status: PC
Weapon: ??
Riona is a young woman, and it appears he is going to the same school (Garden)
as Squall. She sports a spiked shield.
Name: Rinoa Heartilly
Age: 17
Height: 5'4"
Occupation: Leader of The Forest Owls, a resistance movement
Status: PC
Weapon: Blaster Edge
Irvine is a cowboy (with accompanying cowboy hat) and an excellent gunslinger.
Irvine has a pony tail and is a sensitive and decent guy. When in battle, he is
a different person, totaly wild, and uses his shotgun skillfully.
Name: Irvine Kinneas
Age: 17
Height: 6' (185 cm)
Birthdate: November 24th
Bloodtype: o
Occupation: Student
Status: PC
Weapon: Shotgun
2.4 - Non Playable Characters (NPCs)
Cid is the President of Balamb Garden, the training school for SeeD. He is
extremely well known and well respected.
Name: Cid Kramer
Age: 35
Height: ??
Occupation: President of Balamb Garden
Status: NPC
Weapon: n/a
2.5 - Villains
Edea seems to bet FF8's first villain, but little else is known about here at
this time.
Name: Edea
Age: ???
Height: ???
Occupation: Delusions of Grandeur
Status: Villain
Weapon: ???
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| Part 3 - Controls |
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3.1 Basic Controls (Default)
Direction Pad: Lets you walk on the World Map and in town; moves the cursor in
menus.
Select: Hold to disable the menus in battle.
Circle: Used to talk, perform an action or accept a menu command
X: Cancels Commands
Square: Challenges opponenets in the card game.
Triangle: Acticates the menu screen; Switches characters in battle.
L1 + R1: Alternately pans the camera in the Battle Screen; Hold both to run from
battle.
3.2 Main Menu (in order)
Junction: Lets you set Guardian Forces and Abilities
Item: Lets you use and sort your items
Magic: Lets you use magic and swap between characters
Status: Shows the status of your characters
G.F.: Contains Guardian Force levels and lets you develop their job skills
Abilities: Lets you use Guardian Force abilities
Party Change: Lets you change your party lineup
Cards: Shows your colleced cards
Configuration: Adjusts your game settings
Tutorial: Fina Fantasy 8's Learning guide
Save: Lets you save your game at a save point or on the World Map
3.1.1 - Junction Menu
Junction: Lets you set GF creatures; Results in an Optimize/Ability menu.
Remove: Lets you remove all spells and/or all settings for a GF.
Optimize: Optimizes with emphasis on Attack/Magic/Defense.
Ability: Lets you set battle menu commands for a character (Magic/GF/Draw).
3.1.2 - Item Menu
Use: Use items directly on a character. Also lets you use special items (books,
etc.)
Customize: Lets you arrange your items in a specific pre-determined order.
Arrange: Default Sort
3.1.3 - Magic Menu
Use: Casts magic.
Exchange: Lets you swap magic between characters (Give All/Get All/Select
Individually).
Get All: Lets the selected character take all magic from another character.
Sort: Arrange your magic.
3.1.4 - Status Menu
Cycles through 4 windows. The first window contains basic information, the
second shows magic resistance, the third shows Guardian Force information, the
fourth sets limit breaks.
3.1.5 - Guardian Force Menu
3.1.6 - Abilities Menu
Sets abilities learned through the Guardian Force
3.1.7 - Exchange Menu
Lets you change members at the World Map or at Save points.
3.1.8 - Cards Menu
Views your cards.
3.1.9 - Configuration Menu
Sound: Stereo/Mono
Controller: Default/Custom
Cursor: Memory/Default
ATB: Active Battle/Wait
Names: Shows monster names
Camera: 0%-100% (depth)
Battle Speed: How fast battles transpire
Battle Message: How fast messages scroll in battle
Field Message: How fast messages scroll out of battle
Analogue: Sensitivity for analogue controllers
Vibration: On/Off for Dual Shock controllers
3.1.10 - Tutorial
Tutorials on how to play FF8 and the card games. You can take a test here too.
3.1.11 - Save
Save your game on the World Map or at a Save point.
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| Part 4 - Magic/Battle System |
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4.1 - Battle System
The battle system appears to be largely the same as that of FF7.
4.1.1 - Limit Breaks
There are still limit breaks. Unlike FF7 they don't have a "bar"; they just pop
up when a character's hit points fall approximately below 1/4. Also, when your
character breaks, you can press "right" and fight a normal attack, saving your
limit break.
4.2 - Magic System
The magic system is different than FF7 (no surprise there, really). The espers
have been replaced with "Junction" magic.
4.2.1 - Junction Magic
Guardian Forces appear to be somewhat like espers and can be "Junctioned" to a
character, letting that character use magics specific to that Guardian Force.
4.2.2 - Guardian Forces
Name: Carbuncle
Attack Name: ??
Abilities: Defensive (?)
Name: Eden
Attack Name: ??
Abilities: ??
Name: Cactrot
Attack Name: ??
Abilities: ??
Name: Cerberus
Attack Name: ??
Abilities: ??
Name: Levithian
Attack Name: Title Wave
Abilities: Recovery, Support Magic Refinement
Name: Ifrit
Attack Name: Hellfire
Abilities: Fire-based Attack, Charge, Fire Magic Refinement
Name: Shiva
Attack Name: Diamond Dust
Abilities: Death Sentence, Magic Power +10%, Thunder Magic Refinement
Name: Quetzalcoat
Attack Name: Thunderstorm
Abilities: Magic Junction, Magic Power +10%, Thunder Magic Refinement
Name: Kochocobo
Attack Name: "Choco Fire"
Abilities: ??
Name: Alexander
Attack Name: ??
Abilities: ??
Name: Brothers
Attack Name: ??
Abilities: ??
Name: Diablos
Attack Name: ??
Abilities: ??
4.2.3 - Draw Command
This command allows you to "Draw" magics from your enemies. Once drawn, they can
be used as a normal magic spell.
4.4 - Gaining Levels
No matter what your level, you only need 1000 experience points to level up.
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| Part 5 - Technical Information |
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5.1 - Platform
Final Fantasy VIII is (being) released for the Sony Playstation. A PC version is
in the works as well.
5.2 - Number of CDs
The Japanese version was shipped with 4 CDs.
5.3 - Music
In keeping with the Final Fantasy tradition, the music is midi based.
5.4 - Technological Improvements
FF8 runs in 30 FPS (frames per second). FF7 ran in 15 FPS.
In FF8, all your characters will be visible when you walk around. This is
different than other FF games, where only your lead character was shown.
5.5 - Copy Protection
5.5.1 - An Explanation
A Note: This section is being included for 2 reasons. One is that the game is
being released substantially later in the US/Europe/Australia than it is in
Japan. The other is that Squaresoft and Sony are attempting to introduce new
technology which will defeat mod chips. Mod chips are hardware which need to be
physically installed (with solder) into a PS. They either defeat the "Country
Code" (allowing you to play imported games) or they defeat copy protection
(allowing you to play archived/bootlegged games). Rumour has it that there is an
external mod chip which
needs no installation, other than plugging it into the back of your PS.
This section is intended to allow people to play the game before it is released
worldwide, and to keep people aprised about the effectiveness of Sony's new
protection scheme.
5.5.2 - Gameshark codes
In FF8, Squaresoft has introduced a new copy protection scheme, which apparently
renders copies and imported games unusable, even with the newest mod-chips on
the market. The game is constructed to automatically look for a mod chip, and,
if one is found, to shut down. Mere days after the release the following
Gameshark codes were released:
D009D2B0 FFF3
8009D2E0 0046
D009D2B0 FFF3
8009D2E2 1000
or try this (not sure on this one)
D009D2B0 FFF3
8009D2B0 0046
D009D2B0 FFF3
8009D2B2 1000
or this (it was made for the Japanese Gameshark, should work)
D009D182 0000
8009B182 2402
The codes must be entered in that order. They are known to work with the
gameshark and an imported copy of FF8. It is still unsure as to whether the
codes will work on a bootlegged game or with the Pro Action Replay. THESE CODES
WILL ONLY WORK WITH V2.0 OR HIGHER!
Rumour has it that the import will work via the swap technique. More information
will be added when it comes available (the rumour describes the swap technique,
but adds the use of a PAR, which shouldn't be necessary. The swap technique only
works on older Playstations).
5.6 - Pocketstation
The Pocketstation is a memory card with a little screen, control pad, 2 buttons,
and is battery powered. It allows you to save your game, as well as play mini
games (away from the PS, as it were). There is apparently a chocobo game and a
card game (among others?) inside of FF8 which employ the use of the
Pocketstation. They are supposedly linkable to other Pocketstations, allowing
you to duel chocobos/play cards, etc. It seems likely that the use of
Pocketstations will affect your game in some way.
Essentially, the Pocketstation appears to be a glorified Giga Pet (if you happen
to remember those).
5.6.1 - Odekake Chocobo "Go Chocobo"
The Chocobo mini game for the Pocketstation is called "Odetake Chocobo" or Go
Chocobo.
5.7 - Memory Cards
Not surprisingly, Sony/SS have decided to completely disable the use of non-Sony
made memory cards with FF8. This is not surprising in that, with FF7, games
stored on non-Sony memory cards tended to corrupt. In two words, dirty pool.
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| Part 6 - Rumours |
----------------------
6.1 - General *** Possible Spoilers!!! ***
There are Moogles
You can jump between dimensions
The scar on Squall's face is given to him by Seifer (thx Krooner! Just waiting
for verification)
- the SCAR is given to Squall by Seifer
- (if you look Seifer has one in exactly the same place) he (seifer) is mind
- controled by Edea the evil witch and fights with him on return to
- Dollet (the town featured in the demo) when they (Squall,Zell,Rinoa and
- Seifer)go to investigate a satallite being taken over (Galbadiain
- solders use it to broadcast there declaration of war to the world )
No playable characters die (directly contradicts other rumours)
Spell "Aura" - faster limit breaks
Status "Gazu" - no limit breaks
There are something like 50 spells in the game
The PC version will be released in 4q 1999
Us release of FF8 is scheduled for 9-9-99, coinciding with the Japanese release
of FF9
The final bosses name is "Altemshia" and it is a woman (slash monster/guardian
force)
6.2 - Final Fantasy IX
It would appear that Final Fantasy IX will be coming out, in Japan, on 9-9-99. I
cannot confirm this, and nothing is known about the game as of yet.
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| Part 7 - What We Need |
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Bios/info of characters/Guardian Forces
Magic spells, Weapons, etc.
And we need your feedback!
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| Part 8 - Credits/Feedback |
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This faq was made by the following:
Sean P.
mailto://lw@enteract.com
John S.
mailto://shogun@ripco.com
Feel free to mail us with suggestions, feedback, tips, and anything you think we
should know about the game. In other words.. to get the faq's version number
above nil, we need your help!
--
Krooner for explaining the storyline and supplying some character info!
krooner@breathemail.net
Tetsuo for translating the menus, among other things
