23 years ago, Japanese players first experienced the 8th entry in the iconic Final Fantasy series! Final Fantasy VIII released on February 11th, 1999 in Japan for the original PlayStation console. Players in the west would receive the game later that year on September 9th in North America. The turn-based JRPG centers around Squall Leonhart, a SeeD elite military operative from Balamb Garden. He’s joined by companions such as Rinoa Heartilly, member of the Forest Owls resistance, and SeeD instructor Quistis Trepe to name a few. The realm is threatened when Sorceress Edea takes the throne of the Galbadia Republic. Squall’s rival and fellow operative Seifer Almasy betrays SeeD to side with Edea. Squall’s journey is just getting started.
20 years later, Final Fantasy VIII would finally be remastered for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Steam and mobile devices. Final Fantasy VIII: Remastered features many improvements such as new character models, upgraded textures, battle assist and much more. Many still hold Final Fantasy VIII in high regard and even more players have the opportunity to check out the game on modern hardware. The timeless JRPG continues on after all these years. Whether it’s the remaster, the Gunbreaker job in Final Fantasy XIV or Leon in Kingdom Hearts to name a few, the classic also left its influence over the years!
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