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This blog is an instance per instance detail on how I played Final Fantasy VIII on ePSXe.  I've had the original CD since 2000 and played it several times when my PS1 was still working.  Playing it again after 10 years is nice.

To understand how the blog is written, the start of the walk through is here.  I also tagged the labels by numbers so it's easier to follow.  There are also links to additional data that might help if you're playing FF8 again.

I've read several walkthroughs and got confused by their instructions.  I've added several images to help out the confused.   Hope you like it.

Below are the sites that I've read to help me out:

http://www.flactem.com/index.php?action=ff8&section=disc1
http://risland.thefinalfantasy.com/ff8/ff8disc1_walk7.shtml

(3) Timber Mission

Timber

When you get off the train, talk to the guy on the stairs and say “But the owls are still around.”  Get on the train. The one in the blue shirt is Zone, the one you can play cards with is Watts.  Get the Angelo card from Watts. After a while Zone will ask you to wake up the princess (Rinoa).  She’s at the last room in the train.  You’ll pass by a save point so save if you want.

After you and Rinoa have a brief chat, there will be a tutorial on her Limit Break.   Read Pet Pals Vol 1 in your Items (Menu>Items) and then teach the new trick to Angelo (Menu>Status>Rinoa>(x)>(x)>(x)).  Go back to where Watts and Zone are and head off to the meeting room.

Rinoa, Watts and Zone will show you a simulation on how to do the mission.  Pay attention.  If you are using an emulator, it’s a good thing to practice.  Go to Rinoa’s room for Pet Pals Vol.2, save your game first, then talk to Watts when you’re ready.

I just ran over the first car and didn’t mind the guards below. Make sure that when you’re plugging in the codes that the guards are not near the door.  It should be easy.  Once it’s done, make sure that your GFs are junctioned.  Go with Rinoa and fight the fake President.  You can draw cure from him that version. When he transforms into a zombie, you can draw Esuna, Double, Berserk and Zombie.  I really tried to avoid finishing the zombie off but it kept casting Berserk to my characters.

You’ll then be back in the meeting room.  After a discussion, Squall will ask to look at the contract signed.  You’ll then be prompted to choose a party with Rinoa in it. Don’t forget to Switch junction with whoever you’re not taking with you. You’ll be dropped off from the train.

From the train station, you can go up and buy Pet Pals Volume 3 and 4. The next set of sentences is for your SeeD ranking.  Go down to the next screen and follow the path until you reach the guards.  Help them out.

Go up one screen and go inside the Timber Hotel for a save point.  You can also challenge the lady looking at the small trains for a game of cards.  

Head back to where you were dropped off the train and go past the train station to the Timber Maniacs Building.

Go inside the Timber Maniacs building and pick up the magazine Girl Next Door for the Shiva Card.  There's also a draw point and an old issue of Timber Maniacs on the next room.

Once that’s done, go outside the Timber Maniacs building, head to your right, go down the stairs and fight some soldiers.  You’ll get a card.  Go inside the building and you’ll notice that there’s a drunk barring the door.  You have the option to either give him his card back or buy him a drink.  This changes so you might end up using some gils unnecessarily.

Head out of the pub and save your game.  There’s a guy sitting near the save point who you can play cards with.  Follow the path and you’ll stop by the outdoor TV.  After a bit of a discussion, Rinoa will leave and the broadcast will begin.  It’ll be scenario after scenario until Seifer leaves with the sorceress. Run back going to the save point and enter the pub, you’ll then be instructed to go a hiding place.  This is the house right beside the Timber Maniac building.

Once you head upstairs, talk to Quistis twice and then you’ll have to go downstairs.  Try leaving the house and you’ll be asked on what the next plan is.  Head outside and talk to the Galbadian soldier.  That would be Watts in disguise.  Now after the conversation head go one screen left and the Mystery Man (Zone) will give you tickets.  Now head on and ride the train.

Talk to Rinoa, choose the first option, go inside and talk to Selphie, then go outside and talk to Zell.  Choose the first option.

After getting off the East Academy train station head north and pass by the forest in between two mountains.  You'll have your next Laguna dream sequence.



You can move around the area to stock up on magic as well.

Once you’re Laguna, head straight and draw sleep.  You’ll be fighting some Esthar soldiers.  Go straight ahead and when you reach the three forked road, choose the middle.  Once you’re on the lower level, look for the old key.  Laguna will lose it.

Run towards you and you will see 3 trap doors.  Tinker these and you’ll get items later in the game.  The middle trap is already loose so loosen it. Go one screen right to trigger a short scene and then come back to loosen the rightmost trap.  Then keep moving right until you get to the screen with the ladder.  You should also get to the screen where Laguna loses the 2^nd Old Key. Go up the ladder and you should be where the sleep draw point is.

Draw sleep and go back to where you got (and lost) the first Old Key.  Move one screen towards you and you can now tamper with the leftmost trap.  You actually can’t tamper with it, but consider it tampered.  Run back to where you found the 2^nd Old Key and head north, past the first boulder.  Near the second boulder is a detonator.  Pick both options and run after you choose the second option. 

Cross this really long bridge, follow the path and click on the boulder.

There’s a Cure drawpoint and all of these tedious going around will be of help by Disc 3.  Keep following the path until you reach the save point.  Save your game then head north to the cliff.  After some (or one, depending if you did all of the above), battles, there will be a short scene of Laguna going emotional on his comrades.

(2) Fire Cavern, Dollet Mission

Fire Cavern


By this time I have 100 of Fire, Blizzard and Cure (and yes, Scan as well). I head off to the Fire Cavern. It is east from Balamb Garden.

From Balamb Garden:  Balamb Town (right) and Fire Cavern (left).

Go inside the cave. Quisitis will then give you a tutorial about Junction magic. She’ll also ask you if you need a review of your gun blade. It’s going to be up to you if you want to review. Straight up are 2 guardians, they’ll ask for on how long you think you can finish the task at hand. I always choose 20 minutes. It gives me time to draw/ card the monsters. I can always up my SeeD level by taking the test anyway (see SeeD Tests link). Usually, 4 Shiva summons are enough. After you defeat Ifrit (you’ll also get his card when you defeat him), head out again. Don’t forget to card Bombs as this allows you to make an item to make Ifrit compatible to the summoner (see Guardian Forces link).


Once you’re back in Balamb Garden, play some cards. Cards can be useful when converted to items for weapons upgrade or magic (see Card Mod link). You can play with the receptionist at the entrance gate, the receptionist in the Libarary, the guy hanging out of the Library, a couple of guys in the cafeteria and the kid jogging around the Garden in that order. Once you’re good with the cards that you have, (I suggest like 10 games each or until you get bored), proceed to your dormitory and change clothes.


You will automatically be where the directory is and Zell will be introduced in the game. You’ll find out that Seifer is in your team as well and he’s your Captain. You will end up in the Quad riding the car. Once you’re in the ship, Xu will be giving out instructions. When Seifer tells you to go outside, do so. It’ll help in your SeeD ranking later on. CG movie when you to the deck.


Speaking of SeeD ranking this mission will determine what your initial SeeD ranking will be, so be a professional at all times. During the test, DO NOT talk to anyone other than your team mates. DO NOT go to the left side of the fountain until Seifer goes there. DO NOT hide from the boss by going inside the stores. DO NOT jump off the cliff. And talk to the dog when you’re running away from the boss to save him/ her.


Dollet Mission (SeeD Test)


Once you’ve landed in Dollet go up the stairs to the save point. Save your game.

There will be three instances where you’ll battle Galbadian soldiers. First is right after the save point. Second instance is before the bridge. Last is on the alley above the fountain. Remember not to go to the left side of the fountain unless Seifer does first. Don’t forget to stock on magic for junction or use.


After you’ve cleaned up the Galbadian soldiers, talk to Seifer twice. After a short script, try to talk to Seifer twice and he will decide to go to the tower. Follow him. Once you get to the tower, he’ll leave you and Selphie will appear. Notice that all of Seifer’s magic are now assigned to Selphie, but she doesn’t have the GF junctioned. So junction whatever GF Seifer had and you’re ready to go. Follow Selphie inside the tower, draw blind from the draw point and save your game.


Ride the elevator going up and the scene will be on Major Biggs and Wedge. When you reach that level a CG movie starts. After that you’ll be fighting Major Biggs and then Wedge will join him. Don’t forget to draw as much Esuna from Major Biggs as you can.


Once you’ve defeated Major Biggs and Wedge, you’ll be fighting Elvoret. DO NOT forget to Draw Siren. The only time you can draw Siren again is in Ultimecia’s castle (Disk 3). You can also draw Double from Elvoret.


After defeating Elvoret, Selphie will tell Seifer that they have orders to retreat in 30 minutes. Go down the elevator and SAVE. Once outside, you’ll encounter X-ATM092. You will have to RUN away from X-ATM092 as it will try to run after you. DO NOT avoid any encounters with X-ATM092 for your SeeD ranking after this test. It is weak in Lightning so use Quezacotl in every chance you’ve got. You can draw Protect from X-ATM092 if you want to. Keep running until you reach the SeeD vessel. Short CG will play.


Once you’re back in Balamb, Seifer will take your car. You’ll have to walk, which is fine. DO NOT talk to anyone until you’ve given your report. Try to get Siren’s Refine Life Ability by defeating (or carding) the monsters in the area. There’s also an Esuna draw point at the rail tracks behind Balamb Town, so don’t forget to draw that as well.


When you’ve got Siren’s Refine Life Ability (L-Mag RF), head back to Balamb Town and go to the store. Make sure you buy Tents (total of 40 if you can afford it, I could only buy 28) and have Siren create 1000 Curagas for all 4 of your characters. 10 tents make 100 Curaga (see Item link).


You can head over the Balamb Garden once you’ve got the GF skills that you want. Zell and Selphie will go to their dorms. When you get to the directory, Headmaster Cid, Quistis and Xu will discuss what has happened in the mission. Head to the library and talk to Seifer. After Headmaster Cid leaves, go back to the directory, all students who participated in the exams will have to go to the 2nd floor. After you’ve talked to everyone in the area, wait and someone will start calling out names. You’ll be in Headmaster Cid’s room.  After his speach, talk to him to get the Battle Meter.


Run towards the elevator and the next screen will be the 4 of the new SeeDs. Talk to each and Zell will ask you to go to the classroom. Head to the classroom and before you even reach it, Seifer and company will give you a round of applause. The next scene will be Selphie in your room telling you to get changed. Go ahead and change, take your SeeD exams (Menu>Tutorial>Test) and save your game. (See SeeD exam answers).


Zell and Selphie will then talk to Squall. Then Rinoa. After that is a very nice CG movie. Once the movie is done, you’ll end up in the balcony and Quisitis will ask you to go to the “Secret Place”. This is a room in the Training Center near the save point. Head out of the balcony and you’ll be in your room. Change and save then proceed to the Training Center.


When you’re in the Training Center you’ll meet up with Quistis, make sure to junction the GFs currently assigned to either Zell and Selphie. Quistis will give you a tutorial on Status-J. Either head left or right and follow the path. It’s a loop so it’s not hard to figure out. Make sure that you stock up on Sleep and Silence. If you’re current characters are already at 100, exchange some to the ones that isn’t at 100.

Head left to leave Training Center

Once you’re done, or bored, head on to the save point and save. Go inside the “Secret Place” and Quistis will rant. When you’re back at the save point, save. Then head on to the left of the screen. When you’re near the exit you’ll hear a cry for help and you’ll fight a Granaldo. Don’t forget to draw and cast Protect from the Raldo before you start drawing Shell and Blind from Granaldo and Protect from the Raldo.


Head out of the Training Center and after one parting shot from Quisitis, go to your dorm. Zell will greet you there and tell you that you have a new room. You’ll sleep. When you wake up, Selphie will tell you that you have your first mission. Pick up “Weapons Monthly, April Issue and save your game.

(1) Balamb Garden

The game starts with a very long intro showing Rinoa in some parts of the game (you'll know when you get there) and then Squall and Seifer battling in what you think is a real battle. It's not. That's just training.


After the training sequence Squall wakes up in the infirmary. The doctor, Dr. Kadowaki, will ask you how you are feeling. Regardless which one you choose, Dr. Kadowaki will ask you to say your name to her. I've always chosen the defaults name, it's easier to remember who's who. After you choose your name. You and Dr. Kadowaki will talk about taking it easy and about Seifer. She'll then call your instructor Quistis. Then a girl in blue, white and green will peek on the window. You don't know her (yet) but you will by mid-Disk 2.


Quistis will then tell you to follow her since it's the day of the field exam. She'll try to engage Squall in talk, keep pressing (x), or it's equivalent if you're using an emulator. Keep pressing it until Quistis ends the class and tells Squall that she needs to talk to him.


Note:
• Don't talk to Quistis immediately. Sit down again by pressing (x). If that doesn't work move a bit then press (x). You should sit right back and your console will show on the screen.
• Choosing "(.... What a pain.) will prompt you back to your classroom. You want to choose "(Turn on the power and...)".
• Choose "Tutorial" and you'll see that you have 2 GFs (Guardian Forces) assigned to you, Quezacotl and Shiva.
• You'll be asked to confirm their names. I chose to leave their names by default so I don't get confused.
• If it's not your first time to play Final Fantasy 8 and you already know how to junction, press (s) to log off the terminal. Or you can stay and choose to read through all of the tutorials. Bear in mind that you will still go through these tutorials later in the game. If you've pressed (s) and you think you still need more information you will be prompted before you totally log off. Choose between "(I'm done)" and "(...One more time)".
• When you've logged off, you're ready to talk to Quistis. Junction Quezacotl and Shiva to Squall. Also, set-up your config in Menu>Config. Set your Cursor to Memory, so you don't have to select the same action over and over and set your Battle Speed to Fast, so you don't get bored much.


Talk to Quistis. The students around her will move away. She'll tell you that the trip to the Fire Cavern is a prerequisite, which is true. You can't move forward in the game unless you finish the Fire Cavern exam. She'll wait for you at the front gate until you're ready. Head out of the room and go one screen down. You'll bump into a girl (Selphie). She'll talk to you and then she'll ask you if you want to give her a tour of the garden. Remember that in the future all of your actions will have an impact on your SeeD rank, so be professional at all times. Give her a tour. (Map of Balamb Garden can also be seen on the Maps page).

Before you go down via the elevator, talk to the guy standing on the bridge. He'll give you some cards. More about Cards on the Cards page.


After you've given Selphie a tour, go back to the directory. Point the cursor to the Library and you're nearly there.

Get Occult Fan I in the library.

Move one screen right and you're inside the library. In the library, go to the lower part with 2 shelves. It'll go to another screen with an Esuna draw point. That's your first magic. Head out of that screen and on the shelf right beside it, pick up Occult Fan I (see image). Read it my going to Menu> Item> Use> Occult Fan I.


Meet Quistis on the front gate. Go to the directory and save your game, it’s in front of the directory. “Talk” to the directory and choose front gate. When you’re there, go one screen up (away from Quistis) and draw Cure. Go near Quistis and she'll give you a tutorial about Junction. Before heading out of Balamb Garden, Junction 1 GF to Quistis so she can have command abilities as well.


Now this is the boring part. It’s boring now, but in the long run you’ll be able to notice that stocking different magic and carding helps you a lot in the later part of the game. What I do is go behind Balamb Garden and stock up on Fire, Cure and Blizzard as much as I can. Then finish off the monster. Then head over to the shore located in front of Balamb Garden and look for Fastitocalion-Fs. Per batch (2 of them) gives 6 APs. Once I get Quezacotl’s Card Ability, I card them as much as I can instead of finishing them off. This keeps my characters in low levels (making the monsters low levels as well) while leveling up my Guardian Forces (GF) abilities. Once I’ve stocked up on almost anything available AND I’ve learned the preliminary junctions (Card, SumMag+10%,SumMag+20% and SumMag+30% for Quezacotl; SumMag+10%,SumMag+20% and SumMag+30% for Shiva) , I head off to the Fire Cavern.

Note: When you’re in the Map area you can save anywhere. Save before entering the Fire Cavern.