Juvenall Wilson

With the exception of the NES, I’ve never been much of a gamer. Most tend to be the exact same thing I played 10 years ago, but with improved graphics, more explosions and half naked girls that aren’t as pixelated. I don’t know if it’s just an industry wide lack of creativity or simply lowered expectations on the part of consumers. Either way, I find it hard to justify dropping down $60+ for something even if there’s a lot of buzz. Personally, I’d much rather spend the money on some knockoff Absinthe, a box of condoms and a truck load of Filipino hookers (listed in order of expense). At least that way, I know I’m getting robbed but at least I’ll be drunk. So needless to say, those who know me take my advice when I say to play something.

For me, a good game is more than just game play, it’s about the story. Sure, I can blast my way through swarms of evil Nazis, blood thirsty monsters or Hillary Duff fans, but what’s the point if I really don’t care what happens to the main character(s)? Where’s the hook that makes me spend every waking moment thinking about what’s going to happen next? Frankly, I’m willing to give up all the new, modern graphics if it meant better overall storytelling. In the end, a good game should be like a good movie.

That’s why one of my favorite games of all time, is Final Fantasy VIII. When I first played the game on the Playstation, I remember just being blown away by how involved the story was. You weren’t just thrown into a world with a gun and expected to blast your way out; you transformed into Squall and shown what made up his reality. From the moment you started, everything was about revealing another portion of what made up this character. As the game progresses and new characters are introduced, you get to watch how these lives evolve. Your emotions become intertwined with their fate and it’s your duty to see them through their mission.

Since it’s release in 1999, I’ve managed to find time to play the game once or twice a year (on my computer, mind you) and it’s never lost it’s luster. While most games have a very limited replay value (like the first Doom or Half-Life 2), I can play FF8 over and over again and still find myself as excited about the getting to the next tidbit of story as I was the first time. Perhaps that’s why I just started playing it again today for what must be the 9th or 10th run through. So if you get the chance, pick up a copy online (I’ve found it “new” for under $20) or if it’s totally out of print, find a torrent. You really will thank yourself.