Final Fantasy VIII Official Strategy Guide Reviews

• Almost perfect

  
  By A35IYKFDG1LUZ3 on 2000-03-17
  An excellent guide for an outstanding game. Since it is simply impossible to do everything in this wonderful game without a guide, you have to buy one. This guide is almost perfect.

  I especially liked that the author went to great pains to give the essential tips without spoiling the surprises or turning the actual playing of the game into an exercise in carrying out the guide's instructions (a real problem with the FFVII guide). So, since this was the guide's goal, I was willing to put up with some ambiguity and the occassionally odd placements of information - I had to read pretty far ahead sometimes to avoid missing crucial tips or else I missed out on things.

  The only truly bad part of the book is the area maps: they are incomplete and the way they are laid out is almost incomprehensible. Fortunately, you shouldn't need them often. Of small consequence, but occasionally very frustrating, there are some factual errors in the guide (perhaps things that were changed in the game after they were written in) but this is a pretty minour glitch - overall the book is much better on accuracy than most guides.

  The real high point of the guide - apart from having a thorough walk-through that doesn't spoil the game's surprises - is the appendix, especially the bestiary and lists of cards and items. I found these indispensible and, while the FFVII guide's bestiary was almost useless, here it is comprehensive and easy to use.

  On the whole, this guide is very, very good. It will enhance your enjoyment of the game rather than spoiling it. I don't have time to play a game this big twice - or spend the rest of my life hunting for hints about side quests and extras - so a guide is an essential tool for me. That said, I was entirely satisfied with this guide and would not hesitate to recommend it to others.
  
  

• A great guide for a great game

  
  By A22FZPUVFRMCQJ on 1999-12-09
  This is a great guide for anyone needing help in Final Fantasy VIII. I played to the end of the first disc without the guide. After I got it, the guide showed me all of the things that I had missed. This guide was very helpful near the end of the game, where I couldn't solve a couple of puzzles by myself. I wouldn't have found all of the guardian forces without the walkthrough. I didn't mind that the area maps are at the back of the book because I would know what to do without knowing exactly where to go to do it. The item lists are a big plus, especially for getting all of the items in the game. In all, this guide helped me a lot with Final Fantasy VIII.
  
  

• Better than what others say it is...

  
  By on 1999-10-15
  Regardless of what a handful of people have said, this is a great stategy guide. Some people complained about page numbers. Well obviously they are a bit slow and don't know how to read very well, cause they are clearly marked. Additionally, I found it to be very detailed and did not give away the good parts of the plot at all. The only part I will say I didn't like was the maps being in the back of the book. But besides that, this is one of the best strategy guides I have ever used. For the people who complain about it... I'm surprised you even know how to use the internet to FIND online walk-throughs.

  As an aside... this is also the best game I've ever played in my life!!!!
  
  

• A Top Gaming Value

  
  By A1M4NJYP0WNL8Q on 2003-10-05
  Most players suspect that using game guides is cheating. And in some cases, that is undeniably true. But in an RPG as large as Final Fantasy VIII the effect is exactly the opposite. Instead, the guide functions more like a travel guides, making sure you know all the cool places to visit, and providing maps. The remove some of the irritations, help in planning, and improve the overall experience.

  It is quite possible to get through FF8 in less that 50 hours with goot strategy and a bit of luck. Some people no doubt do, and think they've really experienced the game. Others get bogged down by a complicated puzzle sequence and miss an important feature and become frustrated when they can't complete the game. This guide is designed to alleviate just these problems, and enhance the entire gaming experience.

  If you actually tried to do everything the guide covers playing time could go over 120 hours, making FF8 three times the game you thought it was. The guide also makes an effort to clear up some of the poor (or non-existent) explanations of useful game features. And yes, there are clues and explanations for those of us who aren't capable of reading the minds of our consoles,

  So I would recommend the guide to any new owner of FF8. Whether you follow it religiously or just keep it handy as a reference I think you will feel it's well worth the price. It has all the charts and item lists, full details about characters and character building, and all the other paraphernalia that will enhance any enthusiast's experience.
  
  

• Best one so far!

  
  By on 2000-01-06
  This strategy guide is 10 times better than anybody else says. Who cares if the plot is given away! All strategy guides do... This tell you all you need to know. The maps? Don't need them! You can figure it out (if you passed kindergarten that is). Don't let all the bad stuff you heard stop you from buying his. You want to get a 'perfect' game this is the guide for you. I have not seen any guide better than this. Maybe because there are only two out there. (Do not try the other it is a waste of money). If you need a guide get this one. To sum it up Buy it. It is the best one you will see for a while!
  
  
• Don't eat your friends.
  By on 1999-11-15
  If you want to go through the game quickly, DON'T BUY THIS GUIDE! Everything in this guide is about half done. The organization is not to hot either. Say you want 3 peices of adamantine. The guide says that you can steal it from a boss, or you can win it from a monster called adamantine. You then spend a while looking through the beastiary, only to find that no "adamantine" exists. You notice that it can be refined from the minitaur card, but you don't know where to get that either. You eventually find it in the Tomb Of The Unknown King. The most annoying thing has to be that the book is full of errors. According to this you can eat Rinoa and get max hp+10, even though if she dies, you lose the game. the description of elnoyle reads: "A powerful monster, Uses magic but also uses tail needle, which causes heavy Flying Monster". These are just a few of the many errors in this book. In the card game section it doesn't even tell you how to play! If you still want this guide, you will probably need, gloves to avoid all the paper cuts you will get flipping back and forth between the walkthrough, beastiary, item list, and side quests.
  
  
• As good as it gets.
  By ACYZSMTLTREW0 on 2000-11-17
  This Strategy Guide is the best one I have ever used. Every aspect of the game was covered to the limits. From secret items and side quests, to the complete junction and refining charts, to the unbelievably exhaustive bestiary, this Guide was 99% flawless.

  The few faults lie in the few secret items (Ribbon) and GF items (Moogle and Moomba), in that they give no explaination of where you can get them. Which I suppose leaves a few surprises to explore on our own. And of course, God Bless David Cassady for leaving the Final Fight to us to figure out(depending on what kind of player, you are this could be a problem).

  The maps in the back of the book were kind of hard to follow, partictularly the one's for Deling City/Sewer, Esthar, and Lunatic Pandora. But, if you can follow a line, you're golden.

  Overall, I'd say the this book is perfect. It is setup in such a way that you don't need the walk-through to actually get use out of the Guide. For those of you who complain about the story line being revealed, this is a BIG plus.
  
  

• It was good, and helpful...
  By A29BQ6B90Y1R5F on 2001-05-08
  This was a really great RPG guide (it was a little more helpful then the FFVII guide, and actually told you ALL the secrets).

  Where should I start?

  Ok, the walkthrough is well, different then from what we've seen in other guides. First of all, the maps are in the back of the book (I know I know, I don't want to flip all those pages) but the maps you most likely won't need. The boss strategies are really helpful, but I still say that you should go by your own.

  Now the walkthrough, gives you the objections in numerals first. Then the complicated ones, it'll explain. At first reading this guide is confusing. But it leads it further away from spoiling the plot.

  However.. it probably would've helped if the maps were in the walkthrough, but being that you go off screen every ten seconds in the game, I guess I didn't mind.

  Next is that, You shouldn't mind the stats for the Ultima Weapon being wrong, or the oilboyles. Its corrected in the bestiary. Again, I know we don't want to spend time flipping back to the bestiary, but the truth is... You don't want to use the bestiary for HP listings, or stats, (being that the enemies level up with you) so you should only use it to find out what enemies drop and what you can steal from them. Other then that, the bestiary is a lot better done than in the FFVII guide.

  The problems with this guide, is that it doesn't tell you how to Boost GF's. (If you'd like to know you hold select and see a hand on the SQUARE button. Keep pressing and when the X appears over the hand, don't press.) It also needs a final boss strategy. It will tell you to use the Omega Weapon boss strategy. But if you go to thier website, it gives you a completely different strategy. Needless to say that this could be a problem. It also doesn't tell you the final boss' stats, but still that wouldn't be too much of a problem. The walkthrough is too quick for me. They cover the basics, but don't tell you everything that you can do.

  The SIDE QUESTS section will help you do them all. But sometimes I wish the maps were in the walkthrough. The directions (like when you want to catch Lunatic Pandora) are just too confusing.

  Overall this guide was great in a ton of areas. But I would recomend that you LOOK at this guide before getting it. It will help you get through the game, but it takes away most of the fun from the game.
  
  

• Better Than Everyone Says
  By on 1999-12-18
  Quite a bit of mistakes, but anyone with a brain can figure it out. I actually found it very useful. And the reason it gives away the story line is because it's a strategy guide, it's supposed to tell you what to do, and to be prepared for what will happen.
  
  
• Decent, yet full of errors, and it isn't organized well
  By on 2000-01-08
  I love the Bestiary, and the items and ability lists, but this guide has a WHOLE LOT of errors. Here are a few examples...

  1. It states the Oilboyles have 1068 HP. 2. In one area, it says that the Oilboyles are weak against ice, and that they absorb fire. Then, in the next paragraph, it says they are incredibly weak against Fire spells. 3. It says Ultima Weapon has 1068 HP. 4. For the Omega Weapon strategy, it says he is weak against ice, yet he absorbs fire. And in the Bestiary, they state that he absorbs all type of magic.

  The order is weird too. The maps are in the back of the book, the items should be right next to the Card section, and the Bestiary section has soooo much typos! I suggest finding Gamespot's guide to FF8, instead.
  
  

• Average...
  By A3EQMUSU88A7G5 on 2000-04-05
  Keeping the theme of most previous reviewers this book is average. Unfortunately that makes it quite a poor strategy guide. As far as the walkthru's are concerned it isn't too bad at giving you the general idea of what you hgave to do. Unfortunately that is about it. When it comes to finding out related information you will find yourself flicking endlessly through the pages trying to put together all the information you need to do something (I mean, would one big table which shows what everything refines into not be slightly better than about 20 small ones!). The 'secrets' are at the end which is OK, but they look like they have been thrown in as an after thought. And worst of all they have split the maps! PLain and simply the map layout is absolutely abysmal. This is daft as it is flying around on the maps that you do for most of the game! The Bestiary is also poorly laid out with inaccurate and misleading information that will frustrate you, especially if you are looking for a specific monster which is supposed to be in a specific area. All in all, it will help you get to the end of the game but it could have been done a lot better.
  
  
• Excellent guide.... but not perfect
  By A2YPDGVSNER3JM on 1999-09-12
  Being a fan of Cassady's FFVII guide, I expected most of the same from this guide. And basically, I got it. However, a few things still seemed to make this guide seem incomplete. Again, much like the FFVII PC guide, they decided to stick all the maps in the back. In most cases (or as far as I've gotten in the game so far, its only been out for 3 days you know) this doesn't matter because the maps are straight forward. However, with a few areas, its really inconvienient to flip to the back of the book. Another thing I was worried about was how, like the FFVII Playstation guide, the side quests were put in the back! Luckily, unlike that time, the guide does a better job of mentioning these quests in the walkthrough, so you don't completely miss them. Overall, an incredible guide! You shouldn't need much else to fully enjoy the game.
  
  
• Its okay.
  By A18UNN8KYOMECL on 2000-04-11
  I LOVE Final Fantasy 8. Its a great game. The stratagy guide was great while the first time playing the game. Although some things were confusing, I didn't really think about it. Later I noticed the millions of typos and missleading information. It seems to me, the people who wanted this book out, didn't care if it wasn't done. When it comes to important items (like the Moon Stone, which I still haven't found for Irvine's best weapon) you haven't a clue where to get them. And basic informaiton (like, who is Zell's GF) you never can find out in the book. I still use the book every time I play FF8, but I have also replaced all the wrong information I've found within the book with the correct ones. This book was very helpful, and I liked having the pictures of the game, where I could see if I was doing things correctly. This book would have been better if the editor had payed more attention to his job!
  
  
• Its not a bad guide but its not well written either
  By on 2000-02-03
  This guide to FF8 isn't a bad one but it was written in beta form ( which means a few months before the releses of the final game)or its was imported(the imported version is eaiser then the English version) either way it was not well thought though.Sometimes in parts of guide things that should be there or you should be able to get aren't even well addressed and often don't make much sense,the writer rushed this guide and it sticks it ulgy head out alot though the guide....I can say that it does help with the point of having a guide(to beat the game)but if you are thinking of buying this one consider something else first before hand for I can't fully give this guide a five star rating....I really shouldn't even give it a 3 but I was able to beat the game with it so...
  
  
• A little disappointed David
  By on 1999-09-17
  Well, first of all, I bought the game on the day it came out and I hunted around for this game guide for 3 days. After I got home and was working my way thru levels I realized that some things were not mentioned. I will not go into specifics, but the guide has left me lost a few times and I just have to explore in order to continue the quest. Also, the fact that the maps are in the back of the book!?! Not only that... if you want to pick up the precious items that each chapter presents you have to constantly flip to the back of the book. The Maps are poorly labeled and are often hard to follow due to the layout of the map pages. I think they should have put his guide to the test before releasing it. I still recommend buying it if you have the game because you will know when the cool stuff is available. However, you could save yourself fifteen bucks and print up one of the online walkthru's
  
  
• Average guide, at least there are no spoilers.
  By on 1999-10-15
  The layout of the book is alright. It's a definite improvement over the FF7 guide, but it could still use a lot of work. My problem with Brady guides in general is that some of the information is flawed or printed where it shouldn't be (you can devour Rinoa for MaxHP +10???), and there are the normal numerous misspellings and sometimes mislabeled maps, and in this guide, they introduce something new: questionable capitalization. It's still a good guide, but I'd only recommend it to people without internet access. There are more detailed informations available at fan sites.
  
  
• Great...BUT...
  By on 2000-11-21
  This is a great one, but I advise you to buy the Playstation version (the original one) instead of the PC one, even if you have the PC game. My reasons? Listen up.

  1) The playstation version is excactly the SAME, with the control keys adjusted to the playstation keys. Really...it doesn't take long to figure out which playstation keys match the ones on your keyboard, and then it's a breeze the rest of the way.

  2) The playstation version is CHEAPER...by a LOT. Isn't that enough?

  3) The playstation version's pictures are BIGGER, BETTER, and *very* colorful. Each page is packed with color. Much more than the PC version one has.

  4) Playstation version may be taller, but it's not as DARN THICK as the PC version is. That thing is *thick*! You can kill someone with it. The thing is, they both offer the EXACT same information...it's just that the PC version's book was not as tall and wide.

  5) The playstation version is overall prettier and easier to use. You don't have to worry about the pages not staying down while you play or about dropping the book on your foot and breaking it. (your foot, not the book!)

  My advice? GET THE PLAYSTATION VERSION! I own a PC Final Fantasy VIII and I still use the playstation guide. ^___^ Yay!

  - Aeris Flower
  
  

• ff8
  By A3L41H889UGL4H on 2001-06-01
  it's plain and simple, the stratagy guide gives you all you need to know. get it now!
  
  
• how else?
  By AD1AMH70H7PE3 on 2000-03-08
  its a great game. i spent hours and hours playing. and i think all will agree, beat the game, beat it without any help, but then beat it again. this time with the book. for you will find a whole new adventure that is literaly impossible with out the book. from cards to gfs to hidden items, there is absolutely no way to accomplish everything in the game without this guide.
  
  
• FF8
  By ATCMM7ZKQN7H0 on 1999-11-24
  The official stratagy guides ruin the secrets! It gives away the plot! That can't be good!
  
  
• Perfect!
  By A2AXQTB83VMK4L on 1999-10-26
  Everything you need to know in a well organized format.
  
  
• Final Fantasy VIII: Official Strategy Guide
  By AS0DG8VX78Z6H on 2003-03-18
  This is an AWESOME guide for anyone needing help with Final Fantasy VIII.I played through the entire game without the guide,it was difficult,but victory was mine.When I finally got my guide home,I discovered all of the things that I had missed.I then played FF8 through for the second time ,and I was a much more powerful character.This guide helped me throughout the entire game.Let me start off by saying,when you look at this guide,you'll notice the format to be a bit different from others you have seen.The detailed walkthrough is broken down into smaller pieces to make it easier for you to find what you're looking for,and to help you get a better sense of the overall picture.You're provided with a list of the important objectives at each stage of the game,which keeps the text to the point,and prevents the plot from being given away.As you read a section of the guide,you know exactly what you need to do,without knowing anything about the surrounding plot lines.When you're getting started,read the game basics section for a quick refresher on the mechanics of the Final Fantsy world.In the character section,you'll learn about each character's limit break and weapons,and everything you need to know about each of the major players in FF8.A section that will come in handy is the complete list of items,which provides you with information on how you can use and refine the various items into other items and magic spells.My advise is to keep the items section close by!Of course in the walkthrough you have absolutely everything you need to not only beat,but destroy the game,and it's extremely easy to follow!Those of you that are familiar with Final Fantasy know about summoning creatures to aid you in battle.FF8 introduces Guardian Forces,and takes this idea to the next level.They not only help you in battle,but determine nearly everything about your character.An everyday mercenary can now be turned into a legendary hero through the art of Junctioning.Fianl Fantasy VIII also introduces the brand new draw system,check out the magic section in this guide and learn about the new spells and effects.FF8's built-in card game is called Triple Triad,learn more about it in the card game section.It's not only a fun game,but it could make a huge difference in how fast you build up you party,and plus you'll find out how to get every rare card that the game has.Check out the side quests and secrets section,because FF8 has more than ever,such as the hidden Deep Sea Research Center.I recommend reading the card game and side quests/secrets sections thoroughly,as each will impact the overall adventure.The bestiary has anything and everything you could possibly want to know,you'll even learn which monsters can boost your favorite character's stats using tthe new Devour ability.Finally,if you're having trouble finding your way around,the map section will guide you through and make it easier to find hidden draw points and secret rooms.Along with gorgeous illustrations,this guide is well written,informative,and detailed.To sum it up,although this guide will help you get through the game,the fun of the game is discovering new things and figuring out the game on your own.So go back to the guide when you need it,but consider playing through the game once on your own before using this guide.Enjoy this guide,but enjoy FF8 even more!Overall this guide was great in all areas,it has anything and everything you need to know about Final Fantasy VIII.TWO THUMBS UP!!
  
  
• cool book...
  By A31U80Q8V3S34F on 2000-03-19
  this is such a cool book! After i read it, i played it without difficulties... Its like my guide to completing the game ! thanks alot !
  
  
• The guide was good and did help but could have been better.
  By on 1999-10-06
  the guide is very basic and therefore helped. I like how it gives the objectives of each area. The maps were good and detailed but was annoying to keep turning back the the end of the book where they had the map section. I thought that each are map should have been in the same section of the book as hte area it corresponds with. Also the guide doesn't tell you exactly how to accomplish things, it does sometimes tell you the tricky stuff in each section but sometime it completely misses important parts to certain sections, but each section of the book can be very helpful. One thing I did like was the detailed analysis of each monster or enemy, especially bosses. Unfortunately the book sometimes had errors in typing, some errors threw me off and I died. In the main section they take boss information from the back and put it in the section of the walkthrough were you fight the boss. Yet, sometimes it took information from the wrong monster which is very troublesome. All-in-all the book is average, and I suggest that more thought be put into the format and layout of book.
  
  
• Almost speechless
  By A1JT40NWLSRU1K on 2000-08-13
  The 2 page spread on how to defeat Omega Weapon, the walkthroughs with minimal errors or spoilers, and all boss fight tips and tricks...what's not to love? Well let's start off with the cances of getting items, yes it's there, yes it's helpful nut do we really care about the ratio? It was helpful yet frustrating to see the maps in the back as well...it seemed to have almost no organizational pattern what-so-ever, save lunatic pandora. This guide helped only in optional sections and maybe the Draw guides. Otherwise a die hard fan couldv'e figured ir out on their own...but at least this was a much better improvement than on the ff7 guide. And one last beef, no PocketStation comments...Energy crystals are the absolute hardest things to find, besides a power generator, play on a PocketStation for a minute or 2 and you got yourself a buttload of energy crystals. Also, before I bought the PocketStation, it wouldv'e been nice to know that you CANNOT find a Mog's Amulet or a Friendship item without it. Saved me 20 hours on the second run through. Next time say it from what you want to see, not what the item help screen says.
  
  
• Not perfect, but quite good overall
  By on 2000-03-15
  I really wanted to give the book 4 1/2 stars.

  I like the style of the book where you are given the walkthrough steps to carry out your task, but not to the point where it robs you of all fun. It was pretty detailed and complete 95% of the time, but there were some maps which were just not very much help. For example, the map that was supposed to highlight the four areas of UFO sightings, was totally useless because it lacked the highlighting contrast.

  I was able to finish the game with this book alone without much difficulty, so that should say a lot for the book.
  
  

• Not perfect, but it gets the job done
  By on 2000-01-02
  There were a lot of errors and misprints, but nothing that couldn't be figured out in a few minutes. It was kind of annoying that the maps were in the back and the items list was in the middle. Other than that, it has tons of information and it only took me 2 weeks to beat the game with it.
  
  
• All most perfect.
  By on 1999-09-16
  Final Fantasy VIII: Official Strategy Guide by David Cassady is a great book. It contains lots of info on items,GFs, weapons, magic, side quests, secerts, bosses, and the card game. It also has all the maps, but it's hard to find the one you want. The book spoils the plot a little, but not much. Final Fantasy 8 was great, and it need a great book like this to help you through it. I hope David Cassady works on other games such as Final Fantasy 9.
  
  
• Complete Walk Through step by step stratgeys and sectets
  By on 1999-10-28
  This book is completely fo-filled with information. This book deservs a five***** star rating. I beat this game in two weeks. It makes it so easy.
  
  
• boo! bad
  By AWRSC6R2T0EXY on 1999-11-29
  This book had hundreds of errors it gives away the plo
  
  

• Final Fantasy VIII
• Official Final Fantasy VII Strategy Guide, Playstation Version (v. 1)
• Final Fantasy IX
• Final Fantasy X Official Strategy Guide
• Final Fantasy IX Official Strategy Guide