FFVIII and PS2

[StanJr]

Anybody know of any compatability issues with FFVIII and the PS2? I usually get a lot of flicker on the intro and game over screens. Plus it takes a powerful long time to load the START/CONTINUE screen from start up.

Also, there seem to be problems with the random monster generator, as I often get the same exact sets of monsters in certain areas. For instance, I ONLY get Toramas (and the extremely rare Imp) on the Esthar Plains, I NEVER see a Malboro (which I really need to see for several important items...). I know Malboro inhabit the plains in DROVES, because they plagued me the first time I played FFVIII (on a PSX). In the forests North of Esthar, also where Malboro lives, I ONLY get a Forbidden and Cockatrice pair, and I get them EVERY encounter. I was hunting Grendel in the forests outside of Timber, where he lives, and would ONLY ever get Wendigos. I was hunting Blue Dragons in the Trabia snowfields (Bika to be exact), but ONLY ever got Gaylas (and oh the gaylas I have slayed in the hunt...)

 

The game was not like this the first time I beat it on the original playstation, so the only thing I can come up with is that its on the PS2 this time.

 

Anybody know anything. (and yes, I already know that FFVIII sucks, no need to reiterate!)

[Tempest]

I've only every played FF VIII on the PS2 and I've never had any of the problems that you're describing. Are you using a slimline PS2? I've only played on the older model.

 

Tempest

[StanJr]

nope, I'm using the first run PS2.

[Atari5200]

(and yes, I already know that FFVIII sucks, no need to reiterate!)

 

watch it there buddy, FFVIII is a fantastic game and the best of the series so far in my opinion.

[ckrtech]

Don't recall problems when I played it through on my PS2 (original model). Interesting....

 

So long as we are also inputting a few opinions, I disagree with Atari5200's opinion that it is the best in the series - funny...I was just talking about FFVIII and typed "Atari5200" in the sentence and got this INCREDIBLE vision of FFVIII running on my Atari 5200...

 

Anyway! I do love the music of FFVIII, though & think it ranks among some of the best in the series so far.

 

Back on topic, though: StanJr - Do you have the black label FFVIII or green label GH? (not that it matters.....I think...)

[StanJr]

I have the black label (back then I was buying games day of launch, especially FF games!)

 

Personally, I like FFVIII, but only from Disc 3 on. I find the first two discs to be extremely long and boring with little action and a LOT of talking, junctioning, and forming parties.

[Roloking]

I was watching my brother play FFVIII on my ps2 and noticed that there was some slow down and weirdness with it. It had longer than usual load times and some spells like earthquake would make the game stop for a few seconds to load the animation. It was an older model ps2 so maybe some of them just dont play FFVIII correctly?

[SINGLE TOOTH]

(and yes, I already know that FFVIII sucks, no need to reiterate!)

 

watch it there buddy, FFVIII is a fantastic game and the best of the series so far in my opinion.

 

It's ok for you to bash things people like, but when you like something we should "watch it there, buddy?"

[shadow460]

Honest recommendation: Put away the PS1 copy and buy FF8 for the PC. You won't have any loading problems anymore, and everything will be crystal clear.

 

I do not like the way FF8 is rendered on the PlayStation at all. In fact, I've never owned a PS copy of it, although I will buy one someday. The PC version was great, and I had little trouble spawning the enemies I needed. One thing--I didn't see many Malboros in the PC version, but that doesn't mean they aren't there.

 

Also, try changing the disc speed on your PS2--that may help a bit. Some PS1 games will not run above normal speed. I've had problems with some of my PS1 games on the PS2. I've gone back to using a 7000 series PS1 for them, and it has saved me a few headaches.

 

EDIT: Another shameless plug for the PC version--it contains a Windows version of Chocobo World! Go, Boko!

Edited March 10, 2008 by shadow460

[PressureCooker2600]

FF8 is my favorite of the FF PS series, also......not counting FF Tactics, though.

 

I'm pretty sure it works fine on my PS2, which is a first run, also.

[StanJr]

It took about 3 hours tonight non-stop in the Forest north of Esthar, but I FINALLY ran into some Malboros. I'd say my encounter rate was 1:25, with the other 25 ALWAYS one of the following: 3 Mesmerizes, Mesmerize & Catcherpillar pair, or Forbidden & Cockatrice pair. Always those set-ups, no variation. Luckily, I was able to extract the Malboro tentacles I needed and got the hell out. (yes I am this dedicated)

 

Still not convinced the game is 100% compatible, but I will try that disc speed thingy.

[Atari5200]

(and yes, I already know that FFVIII sucks, no need to reiterate!)

 

watch it there buddy, FFVIII is a fantastic game and the best of the series so far in my opinion.

 

It's ok for you to bash things people like, but when you like something we should "watch it there, buddy?"

 

It was a joke, i guess i should've ended the sentence with sorry. No seriously, FFVIII is my favorite, or is it now your really confused huh or maybe I don't know.

Edited March 11, 2008 by Atari5200

[MetalSlime23]

I've never tried FFVIII on the PS2, but reading this concerns me because it's one of my favorite games of all time.

 

Maybe it works better on the PS3? One can only hope!

[Atari5200]

never had any problems with it on my PS2 and mine is very old. a few months older than the launch ps2

[MCHufnagel]

I've only every played FF VIII on the PS2 and I've never had any of the problems that you're describing. Are you using a slimline PS2? I've only played on the older model.

 

Tempest

I've only had the slimline model and never had a problem playing FFVIII on it.

[StanJr]

FYI, I'm running into ALL KINDS of Malboro on the Islands Closest to Heaven/Hell.

 

But I did experience another odd glitch. During a battle with a dragon (the red one) some aspects of my screen became very boxy and Rinoa became translucent like she does during Invincible Moon, she even had a white stripe down the back of her hair. (she was not Invincible however) When Squall would run up to slash, his dust trail would be all big yellow blocks and his impact burst would be blocks as well. Other aspects of the battle would do likewise.

 

Could this just be a dirty disc? Bad load? Corrupted data?

[shadow460]

I'd say you have problems with the disc. Has this happened with any of the other discs, or just the one you're using?

[StanJr]

Predominately with Disc 3. There may have been some monster generation issues on disc 2, but it is hard to recall at this point. I've been playing around on disc 3 for about 20 hours.

[Karyyk]

I've played the game through with no issues, but that's on a Slimline PS2. As for Final Fantasy VIII, it's ok, but I consider it among the weakest the series had to offer. The characters aren't as developed nor as interesting as they are in many of the other FF titles, and the draw magic system seriously hinders the experience. All-in-all, not the series high-point (though I do like it better than FFXII).