History YMMV / FinalFantasyVIII

* NarmCharm: The main vocal theme, "Eyes on Me". Several lines are incredibly narmy ('Shall I be the one for you, who pinches you softly, but sure? If frown is shown then, I will know that you are no dreamer...'), but the whole thing becomes incredibly heartwarming when you know the background. Julia based all the lyrics on her interactions with Laguna, with the narm explained by it being her first attempt at songwriting. The song is played during Squall and Rinoa's romantic scene on board the airship, which signifies Julia and Laguna's failed romance being played out with their respective children.

* SophomoreSlump: Though the game has fans, the fact it came after the monolithic ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', and was followed-up by the widely beloved ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'', leaves the game in the middle of two of the most popular games in the series. Due to this, the game is considered by some to be the weakest of the Platform/PlayStation titles, since it lacks many things that VII and IX have that resulted in their popularity.

* AnimationAgeGhetto: This was the first game in the series with graphics and an art style that could pass as realistic (at least for the time), and being released in a time when gamers were pushing for games to be taken seriously as an art form. Though the game does have a mature and serious storyline to go along with the more realistic graphics, to some it comes off as more of a teen drama in spite of the more realistic graphics. Not helping with this perception that the game is for younger teenage audiences is the emphasis on more slapstick humor.

* ItWasHisSled: Thanks particularly to ''Dissidia'', now everyone knows Ultimecia is TheManBehindTheMan. It ''used'' to be a late-game spoiler. Furthermore, the re-release of the game on the UsefulNotes/{{PlayStation Network}} explicitly refers to Ultimecia in the plot summary on its store page.

** The original PC version in 2000 was buggy as hell. Additionally, the game seemed unable to read more than a few button presses per second, meaning that the ButtonMashing Boost skill was next to worthless. On top of that, due to PC specs at the time of the original release, it replaced the game's soundtrack with low-quality [=MIDIs=]. However, the PC version also included ''Chocobo World'', a minigame which allowed players to build their own DiscOneNuke with enough grinding. The UsefulNotes/PlayStation version only allowed this with the use of the [=PocketStation=], [[NoExportForYou which was never released outside of Japan]]. Additionally, it was, at least to some, infinitely better than the port of ''Final Fantasy VII''.

* SophomoreSlump: Though the game has fans, the fact it came after the monolithic ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', and was followed-up by the widely beloved ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'', leaves the game in the middle of two of the most popular games in the series. Due to this, the game is considered by some to be the weakest of the UsefulNotes/PlayStation titles, since it lacks many things that VII and IX have that resulted in their popularity.

** [[BonusBoss Omega Weapon]] has ''two'', one which deals exactly 9998 damage (which means a character must have the highest possible [=HP=] to survive -- and then they're left with 1 [=HP=]) and another, which ''will'' kill everyone unless they have invincibility or the "Defend" command.

* EvilIsSexy: Ultimecia, [[FanDisservice at least until she transforms]]. Also, Edea, [[spoiler:while possessed by Ultimecia]].

** Laguna is often considered to be the most unanimously praised part of the game, due to a combination of being a great source of hilarity, an appealingly dorky personality, a great theme song, and the sheer cool factor of a ''Final Fantasy'' character mowing down enemies with a machine gun. It's telling that he gets a lot of focus in future games like ''Dissidia 012'' and ''Record Keeper''.

* FranchiseOriginalSin: One of the criticisms of the much-maligned ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII'' is how much of the plot details and explanations are hidden in datalogs, exploration and menus. ''Final Fantasy VIII'' has the exact same problem, if to a lesser degree; while details like the OriginStory of sorceress powers, via the Great Hyne, or the exact fate of Julia, are not truly germane to the story, they sure as heck aren't explained either. And significant character moments, like Selphie's heart-wrenching visit to the Trabia Garden graveyard or Squall's quote on the main page, are PermanentlyMissableContent, which can result in the characters coming off as shallow and one-dimensional.

* TrueArtIsAngsty: Some fans hate the positive ending. Look no further than the widespread prominence of the "Ultimecia is Rinoa" and "Squall is Dead" theories, even after both were officially {{Jossed}}, for a prime illustration of this trope in action.
* ValuesDissonance: As aforementioned, Rinoa and Squall's courtship seems rather unromantic to North American gamers. The characters do not say "I love you" or do anything remotely couple-y (although they do kiss in the final scene, when they're alone on Balamb Garden's balcony) - which is in keeping with Japanese attitudes to public displays of affection.

* SidetrackedByTheGoldSaucer: Triple Triad. Also, obtaining all the extra [=GFs=].

** Rinoa for the amount of times she gets kidnapped or ends up as a DistressedDamsel. She already was in a tough situation, as the only non-military trained member of the main cast, but her various spots of bother tend to get overblown and her moments of competency are sometimes ignored - the others only escaped the Desert Prison because Rinoa refused to go back to her father and ordered Irvine to help her, and it's her who is able to facilitate the trip to Ultimecia's castle. Other members of the party end up in distress as well - Zell gets cornered by guards in the prison and has to be rescued, while Quistis gets herself, Zell and Selphie locked in a room because she wanted to apologise. It's just that Rinoa's moments tend to be larger and more memorable (with one on each disc too).

** The reveal that, outside of Rinoa, all the party members used to be from the same orphanage as children, and all but Irvine forgot about it because of the side effects of using GFs, is mentioned periodically afterward but isn't discussed in great detail or given much follow-up afterward, instead seemingly serving more of a justification for the party to all be together over having any real impact. More emphasis is placed on Squall's relationship with Ellone and Edea, leaving the rest of the orphanage plotline dangling and unresolved. For example: Zell learning that his parents aren't his biological parents is basically talked about for one scene, and then is never given any further follow-up despite him initially being surprised by it.

* EscapistCharacter: Squall. He successfully becomes a [=SeeDs=], becomes their leader, is handsome and popular within the girls, is highly skilled at fighting, etc.

* AnnoyingVideoGameHelper: Odin can be like this, sometimes. Since there's no way to wave him off, if he appears when you're trying to farm rare items or magic from enemies, he sometimes winds up killing your prey before you can steal/draw what you came for. Players farming Marlboro tentacles may wind up wishing they'd held off on getting Odin until after they got what they needed, for example.

** Diabolos is an optional Guardian Force that you fight if you use the Genie's Lamp, but his menacing design and gravity powers made him one of the most popular summons in the game. He ended up appearing in future games as the de facto Darkness summon due to his popularity.

* EscapistCharacter: Squall. He successfully becomes a Seed, becomes their leader, is handsome and popular within the girls, is highly skilled at fighting,etc.

** Irvine gets hit with significant flak, even years after the game's release, by people who judge his failure to [[spoiler:assassinate Edea]] as his defining moment. While he develops beyond this moment of hesitation and the plot later reveals that [[spoiler:he likely recognized Edea from his time at the orphanage and had good reason to not shoot]], to some people he's forever a coward with fake confidence and an inability to follow orders or make hard decisions in general.

* FunnyAneurysmMoment: In-universe in Disc 2: Selphie and Quistis "volunteering" Zell to stay behind and operate the others' only means of escape is PlayedForLaughs, but quickly becomes less funny when he winds up knee-deep in it later.
* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: This game has better received in Europe than in North America, as it was only the second ''Final Fantasy'' game released (and the first one played by many gamers) and where it wasn't so much encumbered by the reputation of ''VII'' or even the series at large.

* HarsherInHindsight: Irvine's freak-out at the end of Disc 1 appears at the time to be him having oversold his abilities and cracked under real job pressure, making him appear a loser and phony. [[spoiler:Later in the game, he is ''the only one'' in the group that knows the identity of his target is also the closest thing he and the rest of the [=SeeDs=] had to a mother. He's actually cracking because he can't bring himself to shoot her and won't admit why]].

* SophomoreSlump: Though the game has fans, the fact it came after the monolithic ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'', and was followed-up by the widely beloved ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIX'', leaves the game in the middle of two of the most popular games in the series. Due to this, the game is considered by some to be the weakest of the PlayStation titles, since it lacks many things that VII and IX have that resulted in their popularity.

* AnimationAgeGhetto: Zigzagged. This was the first game in the series with graphics and an art style that could pass as realistic (at least for the time), and being released in a time when gamers were pushing for games to be taken seriously as an art form. Though the game does have a mature and serious storyline, to some it comes off as more of a teen drama in spite of the more realistic graphics. Not helping with this perception that the game is for younger teenage audiences is the emphasis on more slapstick humor.

* BrokenBase: There is no denying that the game caused a quite bit of a stir within the ''Final Fantasy'' fanbase once it was released:

** [[HeroOfAnotherStory Laguna, Ward and Kiros]]. The interplay between Laguna, Ward and Kiros (which WordOfGod states was based in the real-life interactions of the Square staff) is particularly endearing (not to mention their normal, adult behaviour is totally in contrast with the main party). Many a gamer has smiled when the main party passed out, since it meant that they were going to be treated to awesome ''and'' funny moments. Not to mention kick-ass battle music.

* {{Narm}}: Despite being elite teenage mercenaries, the cast act like grade-schoolers at times and often use bizarre playground level insults, such as Seifer calling Zell a "[[CatchphraseInsult chicken-wuss]]", Zell calling Seifer a "[[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment stupid idiot]]" for [[spoiler:betraying the Garden]], or Rinoa calling Squall a "meanie" for expressing indifference over the possible deaths of his comrades.

* StrangledByTheRedString: Squall's attachment to Rinoa is a subject of debate among fans. To start with, depending on which party members the player selects during certain plot events and/or sidequests, the CharacterDevelopment that builds up their relationship may or may not be witnessed during a given playthrough. Even worse, said development may not be enough for the player. For example, the intricacies of Japanese courtship either flew over North American players' heads or [[ValuesDissonance seem silly from an North American perspective]]. Squall and Rinoa don't hold hands, kiss or say "I love you," which makes sense in a country where public displays of affection are a ''huge no-no'', but leaves North Americans scratching their heads wondering if these people are really supposed to be in love.

* TooDumbTooLive: IdiotHero Laguna nearly kills his two friends in the second flashback by throwing them from a cliff. Squall doesn't stay behind by throwing himself to outer space to rescue Rinoa and being saved by an empty ship that just happened to be there.

** Abadon, like the Fake Deling, is an undead, so [[ReviveKillsZombie just hit Jim with healing spells]] and he will be down in a few turns. Hell, use a Phoenix Down, and he's down in one turn. Squall even tells you the strategy to defeat it.

#UnintentionallySympathetic or unsympathetic? : Seifer risks his life by trying to kill Edea on his own. However he ends up joining her in the most rushed way that would make Anakin Skywalker blush.

* WhatTheHellCostumeDepartment: While ''VII'' staff was criticized for some designs,here Selphie always wears a miniskirt.

** Abadon, like the Fake Deling, is an undead, so [[ReviveKillsZombie just hit him with healing spells]] and he will be down in a few turns. Hell, use a Phoenix Down, and he's down in one turn. Squall even tells you the strategy to defeat it.