Final Fantasy VIII: News October '98

October 29th - Laguna and Irvine
Well, The Next Mission thinks that Laguna Loire, and therefore his side of Final Fantasy 8, is being scrapped by Square! This would be quite a blow to the whole scheme of things as the idea of Final Fantasy 8 being in two 'dimensions' would be superb. But not to worry, the basis to the Next Mission's rumour is that Square of Japan have removed his details from the official site, but I think this is because they want to keep Laguna and his side of things a complete secret right up to the release in Japan, and until that time, just spoon feed us with Squall's side of the water to keep us interested...

However, an interesting theory has arisen; the recently announced Irvine is infact Laguna Loire. When you look closer at Irvine, you can actually see their similar features (other than they both look like poofs of course). I actually think this is actually a very believable explanation for Laguna's details being removed from the official site, so well done next mission for spotting that. More news as it comes.


October 24th - New Character, Cid, Announced

Cid Highwind from ff7


Cid
Along with Biggs, Wedge and the Chocobo, Cid is an old favourite of Final Fantasy veterans, and Square haven't let us down in the eighth adventure where today he was announced to have an appearance. This time he is reportedly the principal of Garden, and that seems to be the only infomation about him at the moment. I would take a pretty good guess at him not having as bigger role as he did in Final Fantasy 7, but then again you never know... watch this space....

Irvine Kinneas - Age: 17, Height: 185 cm, Weapon: Gun
He is good and very confident at using a gun. He is a 'sensitive and decent guy' and is quite partial to women (looks a bit of a poof to me though :).

Kistis Tulip
Previously announced at the Tokyo Games Show, Kistis Tulip is Squall's trainer at Garden and his/her weapon is a whip (to make them work harder, you know what teachers are like :) . His/her limit attacks are the enemy skills mazer eye, hyper quake and lightning stroke. Whereas I think that Kistis is a female, it is not known as to what gender Tulip is...

Selphie Tilmitt - Age: 17, Height: 157cm, Weapon: Karate Sticks
She is a transfer student to Garden, but it is unknown if she becomes a fellow soldier. Selphie is an optimist who may ruin the morale of the party by her laid back nature.

Munba
Munba is a creature that lives in the desert and isn't human in apperance; in fact, he looks more like a giant deformed cat. Munba is a neat creature, hygienic if you like, and his hobby is to clean things that he thinks are dirty. He can lick other creatures, or even humans' blood and can memorise the taste. He has something to do with an event that happens at the prison located within the desert itself, which was revealed a few days ago.


October 20th - Edea, Rinoa and a Mascot

At last! A news rush! Today, 4 very interesting pictures have been released that give us a little more insight into the very complex game that is Final Fantasy 8.

Click to enlarge From my point of view, the most interesting of them all has to be the Rinoa and Witch Edea screenshot of them in close company, and I would really like to know what sort of releationship, whether it be freind or foe, they have. Lets hope some light is shed on this subject very soon as rumours are starting to circulate about these two:
Click to enlarge Here the two lovers, Squall and Rinoa, are dancing at a ball at Garden. The ball is held annually and this year, Squall asked Rinoa to dance. Squall already has his scar which Seifer gave him. This is the first screenshot of Squall and Rinoa so close together, and confirms their love for each other. Awwww, I feel all tingly.
Click to enlarge This is the supposed mascot of Final Fantasy 8, and his name is Munba. It's charm points are suppsoed to be its brush-like hair and tail, and likes cleaning things with its tail as a hobby. Munba is a cautious animal and also a bit 'chicken', but has a sence of duty ( a bit like Cait Sith ).
Click to enlarge This is the mechanical fortress known as the Sand Prison and it's shaped as a drill. It can bury down into the sand, if need be.


October 18th - Edea Info
Edea is the "witch" who was chosen out of all the females in the world to inherit the previous witch's magical power, as it is custom to do so. While it was also customary for witches to be feared and hated, Edea is hailed by the people, perhaps becuase of her charisma, or perhaps by using her powers to brainwash them. While it is not hard to imagine that Squall will be in a position to fight agianst her, Rinoa Heartilly seems to have some connection to Edea.


October 16th - Chocobo Racing

As news concerning Final Fantasy is drying up, I'd thought I'd do a little feature on an interesting game upcoming from Square, Chocobo Racing. Chocobo Racing made its first appearance in the public eye at the recent Tokyo Game Show autumn. The game brings back pleasent memories of Nintendo's Mario Kart, and more recently, Mario Kart 64 in its style and looks. The game offers seven courses, ranging from sunny hillsides to haunted castles. Eight characters are currently available, and in addition there are several gameplay modes, including a story mode and two-player matches but hopefully up to four players will be able to play aka Mario Kart, either by link-up cable or 4 way split screen.
The characters all have special moves which are described as 'comical', but they have to be assigned from a list in accordance to what track you choose to race on. Everything moves around at a fast pace, probably around 30 frames per second.

The game is due for release by Square sometime in 1999 in Japan, and if it's half as successful as Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon, then it'll be another nice little earner. Currently, Square have not said if it is to be released in the west.


October 10th - The Tokyo Game Show

A special Tokyo Game Show version of Final Fantasy 8, still sticking to its winter release date, is available. Though playing time is limited to 15 minutes a person, it does allow a feel for some of the game basics like gaining Guardian Force and experiencing the Junction system. The crowded Square area at TGS has brought up a few pieces of information concerning Final Fantasy 8 (I'd just like to add that the Dreamcast is looking superb...). The confirmation of a new character to join Squall and the rest, comes with very little information; all I know is that he's called Kistis Tulip and he's Squall's trainer from Garden. The most worrying aspect about him, however, is his weapon. It's a whip. Oh dear. More info about him as it comes.

Bits and pieces concerning the Junction system (replacing the materia system) have also shown their head at the TGS. Basically, this system allows your characters to 'junction' items such as armour and weapons with magic or a Guardian Force, leading to different sorts of effects. Characters can gain over 100 different abilities, divided into six categories: junction, command, character party, guardian force and menu abilities. For example, you can learn a counter- attack, combining items and decreasing monster encounter rates.

The Guardian Force, Shiva was shown for the first time, along with a new dungeon containing a mountain cave filled with churning lava the characters must complete as part of their training at Garden.

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