The destruction of Zanarkand in Final Fantasy X , the Bombing Mission in Final Fantasy VII , the Magitek mechs stomping through the snows towards Narshe, Final Fantasy XVI ‘s Game of Thrones -ian slaughter . The beloved gaming series is known for some truly wild set pieces to hook you into an dozens upon dozens of hours of adventure. But one still hits, even if it takes a moment for you to actually get it: Final Fantasy VIII ‘s landing at Dollet.
FFVIII —which launched on the original PlayStation in the U.S. 25 years ago today—does not open with the bombast one might typically expect of a Final Fantasy these days.
Sure, the opening cutscene climaxes in twinned teen mercenaries Squall and Seifer dueling it out in sword training, but the actual opening of the game is in stark contrast to its predecessor FFVII ‘s shocking act of ecoterrorism . No, instead, FFVIII opens quietly as Squall, nursing a now-characteristic gash across his face, readjusts to life in his magical, high-tech floating university, Balamb Garden. It’s an incredible contrast that Final Fantasy has become known for: the high school feelings of preparing for exams, but the exams involve flinging a sword with a revolver handle around or jumping into the nearby volcanic caverns to learn how to successfully tame and then summon a giant, furry god.
But even in that mix of the real and the fantastical, it’s quiet . There’s no real driving impetus for FFVIII ‘s opening other than that Squall and his .