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'Final Fantasy VIII' is getting its own, less-involved remaster
Final Fantasy VIII, which curiously missed out on the journey to the Nintendo Switch when the rest of the series was ported over, is back. The reason for the delay? Square Enix was working on another remaster. To that point, the characters' battle models are more polished than the original, and even the higher-resolution PC version. Don't expect entirely reinvented battle systems or episodic content like Final Fantasy VII Remake, however. This is a humbler re-polish for 2019 (it will launch later this year) and will come to PS4, Xbox, Nintendo's Switch and Steam. See how it'll look in the trailer below.
Games of a Lifetime: Thomas' picks
After more than ten years devoted to video games and the people who make them, Joystiq is closing its doors. We won't be reporting on the best games of 2015, so join us for one last hurrah as the Joystiq family reveals their Games of a Lifetime. Super Mario World I'm not a marathon video game player – for me, binging on or tirelessly replaying masterpieces downplays the great moments within, tainting them with an undeserved state of blandness. And yet, there is something about Super Mario World's construct that is immune to my fickle play style. Though I've been hurling Luigi down pits since I was old enough to earn player 2 privileges, Super Mario World is a ceaseless joy to return to, even if an encore ensues moments after besting Bowser with a few well-aimed Mechakoopas. I'm inclined to most romps through the Mushroom Kingdom, but Super Mario World's memorable level design, subtle secrecy and introduction of the greatest power-up of all time elevate it above every other Mario Bros outing. Above all else, it's the king of fun within my gaming career – there is not a moment coded into that rackety cartridge that isn't bliss to play, even when a pack of Rip Van Fish inspire a spike of stress with their chase. Super Mario World was, is and probably always will be my hometown in the world of video games, and I look forward to reveling in nostalgia as I shove a pack of kids into their lava-filled demise during future homecomings.
Final Fantasy 8 on PC draws more game boosters from update
Not everyone has the time to fight their way through 20+ hour RPGs, nor the skill to conquer bosses that stack eight status ailments on an entire party with one attack. If you hit either wall with Final Fantasy 8, or just never got the chance to follow protagonist Squall's development from a brooding teenager to ... a brooding, lovesick teenager, Square-Enix has updated the PC version with a new round of game boosters, which is a more subtle way of saying cheats. Can't take out Fujin and Raijin's stupid wind-up robot, Mobile Type 8? That's fine, just switch on the "Battle Assistance" game booster and your party's ATB gauges, HP counts and Limit Breaks will always be fully stocked. Can't figure out the junction system? Switch on the "9999" booster and your standard attacks will dole out maximum damage. Similar shortcuts are offered to boost Ability Point and Gil counts, and the "High Speed Mode" booster allows players to cast Haste on "certain parts of the game (cutscenes, movies, battles and more)" to make FF8 run up to five times faster than its normal speed. Even if cheats can't convince you to wield Squall's gunblade, there's always the Triple Triad minigame! As with the PC version's original release in 2000, the Steam version of FF8 also comes with Chocobo World, which was initially only playable on the non-localized Pocket Station. You know, in case you're just in it for the cute birds. [Image: Square-Enix]
Final Fantasy 8 finds romance, action on Steam
Final Fantasy 8, the soapiest of the series, which is saying a lot when you remember Final Fantasy X2 exists, is available now on Steam. Join Squall and company as they blow through (when not halted by summoning animations) a classic JRPG adventure against an evil sorceress. The Steam version also includes Chocobo World, a Pocket Station (device not released outside Japan) game that synched with the core game. According to the Steam description, "It is possible to play Chocobo World directly from the launcher after booting up FF8 and by fulfilling certain specific conditions in the main game you will also be able to synchronize data between the two games." The game is priced at $11.99, same as Final Fantasy 7, which is also available on Steam. [Thanks, Mortimer]
Massive Final Fantasy collection for sale on eBay
This Final Fantasy collection for sale on eBay is one of the most impressive assemblages of video game titles we've ever seen. Not only are all of the numbered Final Fantasy games brought together by this seller, but almost all of the various spinoffs and versions are included as well. From the very first Final Fantasy cartridge on Famicom up to three different versions of Final Fantasy 8 on the PC -- and even an Advent Children Cloud Black PS3 console bundle. In short, just buying this collection could set you up as the curator of your own Final Fantasy museum, dedicated to huge swords and great battle themes from throughout the years. The price for such an honor? It's currently sitting at around $15,000, with no bids as of this writing. If that's something you want to invest in, we can only wish you good luck ... and could we borrow a buck?
Homebrew MMO Final Fantasy game releases
The "fraking awesome" MMO homebrew game, Triple Triad, is (as expected) finally out. The game is available both for PSP and PC play, and has players competing in a highly expanded version of Final Fantasy VIII's card game. Further details (and download) can be found at DCEmu. Non-members can visit QJ.net for the download as well.
Homebrew FFVIII game goes MMO
Triple Triad is no ordinary piece of homebrew. Like Wandria, or Hexaxis, this title is pushing the limits of what we thought homebrew development could produce. But, this game isn't a graphical showcase. Rather, it's pushing the online capabilities of the system, becoming the first ever homebrew MMO game.The game is based on the card game from Final Fantasy VIII, with over 330 cards from Final Fantasy VII, VIII and X (with XI to come later). Not only will you be able to buy, sell and trade your cards with others, you'll also be able to send each other private messages, chat during the game, and more. You'll be able to have a friends list, a blacklist, and you'll also be able to track the movements of other players. Quite ambitious, is it not?Hopefully, this revolutionary project will be able to deliver on all its promises. There won't be too long to wait, though: the game is planned to release this Monday.[Via PlayStation Forums, QJ]
