| |
 |
|
Date |
: Jan 28th, 2002 |
| Genre |
: RPG |
| Developer |
: Squaresoft |
| Author |
: Jin-Ning Tioh |
|
The Story
In a time of sophisticated technology and powerful magic, the serenity which blankets the world is calm and peaceful in appearance - A curtain which merely hides the turmoil threatening to surface...
An unprovoked attack against a neighboring country, an assault by a strike team deep into enemy territory, and a declaration of war against the world by an evil sorceress who corrupted the world's largest military power through manipulation and deception plunges a previously peaceful existence into destruction and chaos. Thrust into the ensuing madness is a young man named Squall Leonhart, a cadet in the military academy of Balamb Garden. A lone wolf by the standards of others, Squall's relentless drive to become the best of the best leads him into joining SeeD, an elite mercenary unit whose sole intention is to defend, serve, and protect humankind from the sorceress who now threatens to completely conquer all of space and time, although they may at times take other assignments for the right price.
Now, a small, loose-knit group of SeeD graduates find themselves caught up in a battle unlike which the world has ever known. With no time to ponder these recent turn of events, a gunblade specialist, together with a diverse group of young heroes, must set aside his fears, face the emotions he's run from, and become the leader that he never wanted to be.
The Heroes ( Good Guys )
Final Fantasy VIII features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own special talents and abilities. Most of your party will consist of SeeD mercenaries, trained in their respective fields and each wielding the weapon of their choice.
|
Click To Enlarge |
|
Squall Leonhart - The embittered, taciturn and reluctant hero, thrown into the mysterious conspiracy of rivalry in a world soon to be plagued by chaos. A cadet in SeeD, his aloof and anti-social behavior makes him appear selfish and lacking a sense of team unity. This has caused him to appear "problematic" in the eyes of others. Equipped with a gunblade, Squall dislikes having others involved in his affairs and is best described as a lone wolf. |
|
Click To Enlarge
|
|
Rinoa Heartilly - A beautiful, spirited, feisty, independent and lively young woman with the ability to touch people's hearts. Open and honest with her feelings, she speaks her mind without reservation. Driven by her ambition, she can be difficult at times. Originating from a forest town known as Timber, Rinoa is also the leader of the Forest Owls, an underground resistance dedicated to fighting against Galbadia's control for their independence. |
|
Click To Enlarge |
|
Quistis Trepe - A top-notch member of SeeD who serves as Squall's peer and instructor. A SeeD cadet at the age of 15, Quistis now instructs Squall and his companions at Balamb Garden. Well respected throughout the academy, Quistis' devoted students huddle together as "Trepies". Contrary to her cool exterior, she occasionally has a hard time coping with frustration and, as a result, can become depressed over trivial matters. Although she remains silent, she still holds strong feelings for Squall. |
|
Click To Enlarge |
|
Zell Dincht - A Garden Cadet with unsurpassed martial art skills who loves tinkering with machines. Aspiring to become like his grandfather who was once a soldier, Zell entered Garden at the age of 13. Not being one to think matters through, he is known to act on impulse rather than reasoning. At heart however, he is an honest, dedicated young man.
|
|
Click To Enlarge |
|
Selphie Tilmitt - A spunky young woman with a carefree spirit. Recently transferred from Trabia Garden over to Balamb Garden, Selphie seems out of place in a military academy due to her innocent appearance and light-hearted personality. Her happy-go-lucky disposition and laid back attitude yet courageous, take-charge personage tend to catch others off guard. |
|
Click To Enlarge
|
|
Irvine Kinneas - An expert gunman and consummate lady's man. Irvine is well known as one of the best sharpshooters in Garden. His reputation for cherishing the company of woman is almost as well know as his accuracy with a gun. Although he seems to be uncaring and frivolous at first glance, in reality he is sensitive and serious. His outward confidence also hides a serious inner doubt. |
|
Click To Enlarge |
|
Laguna Loire - A passionate man whose pen is truly mightier than the sword. An ex-soldier turned journalist, Laguna is a strong willed man with amazing energy. Among his friends and comrades, Laguna is a well-respected and optimistic figure, fueled with a strong passion to assist those in need and battle against those who force oppression. Using his writing as a mighty instrument of justice, he stands strong against the evils of the world. |
|
Click To Enlarge
|
|
Kiros Seagill - A close friend to Laguna and devoted comrade, serving alongside him in the Galbadian Army. Attacking with a pair of blades strapped to his wrists and good-naturedly shooting down Laguna every chance he gets, Kiros "dresses and talks funny", according to Ellone. However, Kiros's faith and trust is an equal component of their overall companionship. |
|
Click To Enlarge
|
|
Ward Zabac - Sporting a scar as a result of an old war injury and losing the ability to talk due to an ambush during a patrol mission, Ward relies on Kiros to communicate his needs and emotions. A heavyset fellow with a harpoon, Ward has a kind heart and follows his friends and comrades, Laguna and Kiros, closely. |
|
Click To Enlarge
|
|
Ellone - Sought after by Sorceress Edea due to her power to send people back into past, Ellone is also connected to Laguna and Squall, who holds hauntingly familiar images of her, although they have never met. Or so he thinks... |
|
Click To Enlarge |
|
Headmaster Cid - Headmaster of Balamb Garden, and founder of the organization commonly known as Garden, Cid can usually be found attending to the everyday matters of running Balamb Garden as well as keeping an eye on the instructors. Closely connected to the other Gardens, and also with a certain sorceress as well... |
The Villains ( Bad Guys )
The characterization of Final Fantasy VIII is likely one of its strongest points. The more realistic, cinematic character style is matched by authentic emotions. Gone are the one-dimensional archetypes of past RPGs. In their place are characters rich with multiple defining characteristics, true-to-life motivations, and multifaceted relationships with other characters.
|
Click To Enlarge
|
|
Seifer Almasy - Squall's bitter rival who causes havoc within Garden, as well as being head of Balamb Garden's Disciplinary Committee. Also a candidate for SeeD, with a romantic dream of being a valiant knight. Although his skills make him a powerful warrior as well as a naturally gifted soldier, Seifer's lack of authority and incredibly high ego feed his irresponsibility, causing an inability to take orders and control his temper. This has earned him the label of "problematic". Although recognizing Squall's abilities, Seifer regards him as his ultimate rival. |
|
Click To Enlarge
|
|
Fujin - A member of the Disciplinary Committee, Fujin is a taciturn woman, who is mostly quiet and only spurts loud, single words as a means of communication. When she finally does speak, it is to tell Seifer that she and Raijin can no longer follow his self-destructive path. Fujin is also a fierce warrior, retaining the strength, power, and demeanor of any male warrior. She stands beside Seifer and Raijin as an element of their "posse". |
|
Click To Enlarge |
|
Raijin - A member of the Disciplinary Committee, Raijin is very outspoken, rash, and self-centered. Although he is basically a slow-witted big lug, he often has Seifer's best interests at heart. Teamed together with his partner Fujin, they make fearsome foes. Raijin also tags along with Seifer and Fujin to help enforce the Garden rules. |
|
Click To Enlarge
|
|
Sorceress Edea - With a Gigeresque headpiece and a chilling appearance, Edea is a mysterious sorceress obsessed with power. An imposing foe, she has recently taken control of the nation of Galbadia, shifting an enormous amount of power in their favor. With the army at her command and a government conspiracy surrounding her name, the world is gripped in confusion and terror. Her plans unknown, SeeD was recently assigned to eliminate her. |
|
Click To Enlarge
|
|
Sorceress Ultimecia - Pure evil and all powerful, Ultimecia is a dominating sorceress from the future. She aims to achieve time compression, collapsing history to a single point and gaining the powers of every sorceress who ever lived. A bit of a cipher, she is only unveiled during the final apocalyptic showdown. |
|
Click To Enlarge
|
|
Griever - The ultimate Guardian Force, Griever's powers are tremendous. Named after Squall's necklace, this name is seemingly forgotten at first. During the final apocalyptic showdown however, Griever is summoned by Sorceress Ultimecia and proves to be a powerful adversary. |
|
|
