LogFAQs > #926915904

I like that FFVIII has an info corner that regularly updates throughout the game as you learn more about the world around you. There are a few tidbits in there that you don't find elsewhere within the story itself, which is kind of unfortunate. I wish they had drawn more attention to this thing or let you know when it updated, the way modern games do that have this sort of thing. Either way, there are so many aspects of the game that people didn't understand or learn about because the game doesn't do the best job of communicating the optimal way to play and things like that. Which is ironic because the game goes to great lengths to explain the system, but it didn't make it easily accessible or convenient.

Also, I've got to say, while I would never listen to the Balamb Garden theme outside of the game, it's always pleasant in-game and it is loaded with nostalgic value for me. It's so relaxing. The moment that theme starts playing like 10 minutes into the game, that's when it really starts to feel like I'm playing FFVIII again. Balamb Garden is one of the better hubs in a JRPG, right?

I like the Balamb Garden Network that you can access from the desk computer. It definitely looks like a website made in 1999. I remember someone once made a Squall fansite that was modeled after this page. Remember fansites? Those were fun. I used to love to read Squall fansites for fun because there's so much to say about the character, so many ways to interpret his words and actions. I like seeing what other people have to say about him because it broadens my perspective and deepens my understanding of who he is. Now everything's on Tumblr and it makes me sad. I Google searched "Squall Leonhart fansite" thinking about this, and I found like two results that weren't Tumblr. This is one of them, and it has some decent "think pieces" on it. Yes, I just used the term "think piece" to describe a video game character fansite. Squall is just that great.

http://blizzara.org/squall/

Also, it's really hard to play a video game or talk about it when your dog keeps wanting you to throw something so she can fetch it.

Anyway, back to the Balamb Garden Network. It talks about how the magic your characters use via Junctions isn't technically "real" magic. It's called "para-magic," which was developed by Dr. Odine. It's inferior to the "real" magic power of a sorceress. It's actually rather true to life in-game, too, because you're better off just using regular attacks, limit breaks, and GFs than casting magic. It's better served enhancing your stats. It also talks about how using GFs could possibly lead to memory loss here, so that plot twist wasn't completely out of nowhere...! Of course, the game also makes it clear that only SeeDs really use GFs, which should be viewed as suspicious because they provide so many overt benefits in battle. GFs raise the question of, "What are you willing to sacrifice to accomplish your dreams?"

This thing really does make Balamb Garden feel like a real school because it almost operates like a student handbook. They even give life advice, such as "Take time to think things through before starting a relationship." Was FFVIII the first JRPG to really center around school days like this? I know Persona has the formula down to a science now, but was FFVIII the original? I don't recall something that came before it, but there's always a chance I've forgotten something.

I also love that there's a primitive message board that starts off as a place for suggestions but soon devolves into trolling and arguments to the point that they eventually have to shut the thing down. FFVIII was way ahead of its time...!

Also, did you know there's a character in FFVIII named Wimbly Donner? He was the head of the Garden Festival Committee before Selphie! You only learn he exists through this thing...!
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