Friday, February 28, 2014

Day #294 Recap (Final Fantasy IX)

Current Game: Final Fantasy IX

Current Play Time: 13:42
Total Play Time - 614:26
Current Game Overs - 0
Total Game Overs: 59

Where I Currently Am: Alexandria Castle (Disc 2)
Stuff Did Today: While searching for Supersoft in Treno, we found Doctor Tot, who used to be Dagger's tutor. He gave us some Supersoft and a method to travel back to Alexadria, namely the Gargan Roo. We defeated a snake that was spooking the Gargan and then made it back to Alexandria where we were promptly trapped and captured by Zorn and Thorn. A ritual was performed on Dagger which removed all of her Eidolons and placed into Jewels... more on this soon... meanwhile, Zidane and crew found the tree of Cleyra which was surrounded by a magical sandstorm. After climbing the tree, they made it to Cleyra, where they were preparing their defenses. An ancient ritual to strengthen the sandstorm failed when a magical harp broke. Soon after, Alexandria began to attack. We managed to save some villagers, but Beatrix defeated us once again and stole a magic sacred jewel of the Cleyrans. She took it back to Brahne, who then summoned Odin who was stolen from Dagger and destroyed Cleyra. Luckily Zidane and company had used the Black Mages to sneak back to Brahne's ship where they found out Dagger was going to be executed. So, we teleported to the castle where we met Steiner who escaped from his prison and are now off to rescue the Princess!!! (How cliche)...

Current Setup:

Steiner - Lv 15
HP - 886 MP - 52
Equipped Abilities: HP +10%, Bug Killer, Alert, Level Up, Antibody
Equipment: Blood Sword, Iron Helm, Mythril Gloves, Mythril Armor, Germinas Boots
Speed: 19 Strength: 30 Magic: 17 Spirit: 26
Attack: 24 Defense: 15 Evade: 15 Magic Def: 7 Magic Eva: 7

Learned Active Abilities: Darkside(L), Minus Strike, Armor Break
Learned Passive Abilities: HP +10%, Bird Killer, Bug Killer, Undead Killer, Cover, Antibody, Bright Eyes

Zidane - Lv 18
HP - 892 MP -78
Equipped Passive Abilities: Man Eater, Add Status, Alert, Level Up, Insomniac, Bandit
Equipment: The Ogre, Bandana, Mythril Armlet, Mythril Vest, Fairy Earrings

Speed: 25 Strength: 28 Magic: 24 Spirit: 30
Attack: 24 Defense: 12 Evade: 13 Magic Def: 12 Magic Eva: 13

Learned Active Abilities: Flee, Detect, What's That, Soul Blade
Learned Passive Abilities: Bird Killer, Undead Killer, Devil Killer, Beast Killer, Man Eater, Steal Gil, Add Status, Protect Girls, Body Temp, Alert, Flee-Gil, Insomniac, Antibody, Bright Eyes, Jelly, Bandit

Vivi - Lv 17
HP - 550 MP - 96
Equipped Passive Abilties: Add Status, Ability Up, Insomniac, Antibody, Loudmouth
Equipment: Lightning Staff, Mage's Hat, Mythril Armlet, Magician Robe, Madain's Ring

Speed: 17 Strength: 18 Magic: 33 Spirit: 25
Attack: 16 Defense: 21 Evade: 17 Magic Def: 19 Magic Eva: 11

Learned Active Abilities: Fire, Fira(L), Sleep, Blizzard, Blizzara, Slow, Thunder, Thundara(L), Stop, Poison(L), Bio, Drain
Learned Passive Abilities: Auto-Reflect, Add Status, Ability Up, Insomniac, Antibody, Loudmouth, Jelly, Auto-Potion, Clear Headed

Freya - Lv 19
HP - 914 MP - 69
Equipped Passive Abilties: HP +10%, Cover, Level Up, Insomniac
Equipment: Partisan, Gold Helm, Thunder Gloves, Mythril Armor, Emerald

Speed: 21 Strength: 25 Magic: 22 Spirit: 25
Attack: 25 Defense: 15 Evade: 16 Magic Def: 13 Magic Eva: 10

Learned Active Abilities: Lancer, Reis's Wind, White Draw(L)
Learned Passive Abilities: HP +10%, Bird Killer, Bug Killer, Undead Killer, Dragon Killer, Man Eater, Add Status, Chemist, Cover, Body Temp, Level Up, Insomniac, Antibody, Bright Eyes

Not Currently In Party:

Quina - Lv 11
HP - 446 MP - 63
Equipped Passive Abilties: High Tide, Millionaire, Antibody
Equipment: Needle Fork, Steepled Hat, Glass Armlet, Bronze Vest, Yellow Scarf

Speed: 15 Strength: 24 Magic: 23 Spirit: 13
Attack: 34 Defense: 9 Evade: 10 Magic Def: 11 Magic Eva: 7

Learned Active Abilities: LV3 Def-less, Aqua Breath, Mighty Guard, Limit Glove, Angel's Snack, Frog Drop, Vanish, Mustard Bomb
Learned Passive Abilities: Add Status, Antibody

Dagger - Lv 9
HP - 279 MP - 64
Equipped Abilities: Chemist, Antibody
Equipment: Multina Racket, Magus Hat, Glass Armlet, Bronze Vest, Germinas Boots

Speed: 21 Strength: 17 Magic: 25 Spirit: 19
Attack: 17 Defense: 9 Evade: 12 Magic Def: 11 Magic Eva: 7

Learned Active Abilities: Shiva, Ifrit, Atomos, Odin, Bahamut, Cure, Panacea, Stona, Shell, Protect
Learned Passive Abilities: Chemist, Antibody

 Tetra Master:
7x Goblin 0P00
5x Fang 0P00
5x Skeleton 0P00
4x Flan 0M00 - 0M01 - 0X01
Zaghnol - 0P00
8x Lizard Man 0P00
Zombie 0M00
3x Bomb 0M00 - 1M00 - 1M01
Ironite 1P10
Sahagin 1P00 
2x Yeti - 1M00 - 1M01
2x Mimic 0M11 - 1M11
Mandragora - 1M02
Nymph - 2M02
Sand Golem - 1P20
Zuu - 1P01
2x Dragonfly 1P10 - 2P20
3x Carrion Worm 2M00 - 2M10 - 2M11
Tonberry 1P22
Mythril Sword 1P00

Chocobo:
Type - Light Blue
Beak Level - 17
Chocotreasures dug up - Streamside, Between Mountains, Healing Shore, Bird's Eye Lagoon, Small Beach
Chocograph Inventory - Uncultivated Land, Abandoned Beach, Cold Field, Faraway Lagoon

Status & Notes: 

Hooray! Mission accomplished. Finished Cleyra and got everyone back to Alexandria... which is good, because Cleyra really takes quite a bit. Oh yeah, we're actually starting to get into the actual plot of the game now... Power Hungry Queen wants to collect summons to gain more power because she's power hungry... but of course this is a Final Fantasy game... so obviously she's not the real bad guy... Yeah, again, I can't stress enough how this game just takes a lot of things from other Final Fantasy games and kind of mixes everything up. Different and yet the same...

Something I find kind of cool is the whole Gaelic influence they have with the Burmecians/Cleyrans. For a series that has drawn from so many different cultures to influence its games, its funny, but using a Gaelic influence actually seems different and refreshing. Its a nice little song and dance they use for the whole Sandstorm strengthening ritual they do too.

Goals for today... I'm going through Alexandria... though I'm NOT going to do Tantarian right now... it is something I actually did on my first playthrough of the game... take him out now... It is something that takes a LOT of strategy, and luck, and using a LOT of save states... and really not worth the effort right now. I'd like to make it through Fossil Roo... which, again, might be a little lofty of a goal... but we'll see. Made it yesterday right? We'll see how it goes today...

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Day #293 Recap (Final Fantasy IX)

Current Game: Final Fantasy IX

Current Play Time: 10:11
Total Play Time - 610:55
Current Game Overs - 0
Total Game Overs: 59

Where I Currently Am: Treno
Stuff Did Today: Went through Gizmaluke's Grotto where Black Mages were clearing out Burmecian Troops. We then made it into Burmecia Territory where we first dug up a few new Chocotreasures and even transformed our chocobo giving him a light blue tint and allowing him to walk through rivers. Then we made it through Burmecia and encountered Queen Brahne, General Beatrix, and an unknown leader of the Black Mages. We fought Beatrix, and was able to steal several items for her before she defeated us. Meanwhile, Dagger and Steiner made it through South Gate back to Alexandrian territory and met up with Marcus, Zidane's old theater buddy who's trying to cure Blank who is still petrified in Evil Forest, he's hunting some Supersoft in Treno, and we decided to help.

Current Setup:

Steiner - Lv 9
HP - 499 MP - 36
Equipped Abilities: HP +10%, Bug Killer, Alert, Level Up, Bright Eyes
Equipment: Mythril Sword, Iron Helm, Silver Gloves, Linen Cuirass, Germinas Boots
Speed: 18 Strength: 27 Magic: 15 Spirit: 23
Attack: 20 Defense: 10 Evade: 12 Magic Def: 7 Magic Eva: 5

Learned Active Abilities: Minus Strike, Armor Break(L),
Learned Passive Abilities: HP +10%, Bird Killer, Bug Killer, Cover, Antibody, Bright Eyes

Dagger - Lv 9
HP - 279 MP - 64
Equipped Abilities: Chemist, Antibody
Equipment: Multina Racket, Magus Hat, Glass Armlet, Bronze Vest, Germinas Boots

Speed: 21 Strength: 17 Magic: 25 Spirit: 19
Attack: 17 Defense: 9 Evade: 12 Magic Def: 11 Magic Eva: 7

Learned Active Abilities: Shiva, Ifrit, Atomos, Odin, Bahamut, Cure, Panacea, Stona, Shell, Protect
Learned Passive Abilities: Chemist, Antibody

Marcus - Lv 8
HP - 312 MP -32
Equipment: Iron Sword, Feather Hat, Wrist, Leather Plate

Speed: 20 Strength: 20 Magic: 13 Spirit: 23
Attack: 16 Defense: 8 Evade: 5 Magic Def: 7 Magic Eva: 3

Not Currently In Party:

Zidane - Lv 13
HP - 617 MP - 64
Equipped Passive Abilities: Beast Killer, Add Status, Flee-Gil, Insomniac, Bright Eyes, Bandit
Equipment: The OGre, Steepled Hat, Glass Armlet, Leather Plate, Coral Ring

Speed: 24 Strength: 26 Magic: 22 Spirit: 26
Attack: 24 Defense: 8 Evade: 10 Magic Def: 9 Magic Eva: 10

Learned Active Abilities: Flee, Detect, What's That, Soul Blade(L)
Learned Passive Abilities: Bird Killer, Undead Killer, Beast Killer, Steal Gil, Add Status, Protect Girls, Flee-Gil, Antibody, Bright Eyes, Jelly, Bandit

Vivi - Lv 10
HP - 310 MP - 75
Equipped Passive Abilties: Add Status, Antibody
Equipment: Mage Staff, Steepled Hat, Glass Armlet, Cotton Robe, Desert Boots

Speed: 17 Strength: 18 Magic: 30 Spirit: 21
Attack: 12 Defense: 10 Evade: 12 Magic Def: 11 Magic Eva: 7

Learned Active Abilities: Fire, Blizzard, Thunder
Learned Passive Abilities: Add Status, Antibody

Freya - Lv 13
HP - 623 MP - 55
Equipped Passive Abilties: HP +10%, Cover, Level Up, Insomniac
Equipment: Javelin, Iron Helm, Silver Gloves, Linen Cuirass, Germinas Boots

Speed: 21 Strength: 24 Magic: 20 Spirit: 24
Attack: 18 Defense: 10 Evade: 12 Magic Def: 7 Magic Eva: 5

Learned Active Abilities: Lancer
Learned Passive Abilities: Bug Killer, Man Eater, Cover, Level Up, Insomniac, Antibody, Bright Eyes

Quina - Lv 11
HP - 446 MP - 63
Equipped Passive Abilties: High Tide, Millionaire, Antibody
Equipment: Needle Fork, Steepled Hat, Glass Armlet, Bronze Vest, Yellow Scarf

Speed: 15 Strength: 24 Magic: 23 Spirit: 13
Attack: 34 Defense: 9 Evade: 10 Magic Def: 11 Magic Eva: 7

Learned Active Abilities: LV3 Def-less, Aqua Breath, Mighty Guard, Limit Glove, Angel's Snack, Frog Drop, Vanish, Mustard Bomb
Learned Passive Abilities: Add Status, Antibody

Tetra Master:
7x Goblin 0P00
5x Fang 0P00
4xSkeleton 0P00
4x Flan 0M00 - 0M01 - 0X01
Zaghnol - 0P00
8xLizard Man 0P00
Zombie 0M00
3xBomb 0M00 - 1M00 - 1M01
Ironite 1P10
Sahagin 1P00 
Yeti - 1M00
Mimic 0M11 - 1M11
Mandragora - 1M02
Mythril Sword - 1P00

Chocobo:
Type - Light Blue
Beak Level - 17
Chocotreasures dug up - Streamside, Between Mountains, Healing Shore, Bird's Eye Lagoon, Small Beach
Chocograph Inventory - Uncultivated Land, Abandoned Beach, Cold Field, Faraway Lagoon

Status & Notes: 

Another productive day, as we made it into Disc 2!!! I think I messed something up somewhere. I must've forgot to drop off a Mognet letter or something... oh well, its nothing I can't fix later on. Also, obviously, I have other stuff for Zidane and company, I just didn't bother writing everything down before the party shift at the end of Disc 1. When we get everyone back together, it'll all get updated.

One of my favorite songs in the game is the song in Gizmaluke Grotto. Technically it's Freya's Theme. I'm a big fan of the Harpsichord sound... it just fits in so wonderfully in any kind of medeival adventure. This was probably my favorite song in the soundtrack when I first got it. I think there are other songs I like more now, but at the time this was it. I should try and see if I can play this on the piano...

Another administrative note here, I was able to do a dry run with my "portable" PS3 setup yesterday. It's, well, sub-optimal, but it will certainly do... at least my computer regonizes the HDMI cable... so I'll be all set to start FF X in just 19 days!!!

Goals for today... I'd like to get through Cleyra really... that's a few areas to get through, but should be doable... there's not a whole lot of sidequest stuff to do in the very near future... so that will help... let's see how it goes...

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Day #292 Recap (Final Fantasy IX)

Current Game: Final Fantasy IX

Current Play Time: 7:54
Total Play Time - 608:38
Current Game Overs - 0
Total Game Overs: 59

Where I Currently Am: Gizmaluke's Grotto
Stuff Did Today: Finished digging up Chocographs in the Chocobo Forest and then found the first two related treasures. Next, I went over to Qu's Marsh where I met Quina and caught a frog for it. It's chef friend told it to go see the world. Vivi wondered if it knew his grandpa. So, we went around and ate some enemies and Quina learned some Blue Magic... then we headed over to the entrance of Gizmaluke's Grotto

Current Setup:

Zidane - Lv 13
HP - 617 MP - 64
Equipped Passive Abilities: Beast Killer, Add Status, Flee-Gil, Insomniac, Bright Eyes, Bandit
Equipment: The OGre, Steepled Hat, Glass Armlet, Leather Plate, Coral Ring

Speed: 24 Strength: 26 Magic: 22 Spirit: 26
Attack: 24 Defense: 8 Evade: 10 Magic Def: 9 Magic Eva: 10

Learned Active Abilities: Flee, Detect, What's That, Soul Blade(L)
Learned Passive Abilities: Bird Killer, Undead Killer, Beast Killer, Steal Gil, Add Status, Protect Girls, Flee-Gil, Antibody, Bright Eyes, Jelly, Bandit

Vivi - Lv 10
HP - 310 MP - 75
Equipped Passive Abilties: Add Status, Antibody
Equipment: Mage Staff, Steepled Hat, Glass Armlet, Cotton Robe, Desert Boots

Speed: 17 Strength: 18 Magic: 30 Spirit: 21
Attack: 12 Defense: 10 Evade: 12 Magic Def: 11 Magic Eva: 7

Learned Active Abilities: Fire, Blizzard, Thunder
Learned Passive Abilities: Add Status, Antibody

Freya - Lv 13
HP - 623 MP - 55
Equipped Passive Abilties: HP +10%, Cover, Level Up, Insomniac
Equipment: Javelin, Iron Helm, Silver Gloves, Linen Cuirass, Germinas Boots

Speed: 21 Strength: 24 Magic: 20 Spirit: 24
Attack: 18 Defense: 10 Evade: 12 Magic Def: 7 Magic Eva: 5

Learned Active Abilities: Lancer
Learned Passive Abilities: Bug Killer, Man Eater, Cover, Level Up, Insomniac, Antibody, Bright Eyes

Quina - Lv 11
HP - 446 MP - 63
Equipped Passive Abilties: High Tide, Millionaire, Antibody
Equipment: Needle Fork, Steepled Hat, Glass Armlet, Bronze Vest, Yellow Scarf

Speed: 15 Strength: 24 Magic: 23 Spirit: 13
Attack: 34 Defense: 9 Evade: 10 Magic Def: 11 Magic Eva: 7

Learned Active Abilities: LV3 Def-less, Aqua Breath, Mighty Guard, Limit Glove, Angel's Snack, Frog Drop, Vanish, Mustard Bomb
Learned Passive Abilities: Add Status, Antibody

Not Currently In Party:

Steiner - Lv 6
HP - 183 MP - 25
Equipped Abilities: Bird Killer, Bug Killer, Antibody
Equipment: Iron Sword, Bronze Helm, Bronze Gloves, Bronze Armor

Speed: 18 Strength: 25 Magic: 13 Spirit: 22
Attack: 16 Defense: 9 Evade: 8 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 2

Learned Active Abilities: Minus Strike,
Learned Passive Abilities: Bird Killer, Antibody

Dagger - Lv 5
HP - 159 MP - 54
Equipped Abilities: None
Equipment: Rod, Leather Hat, Leather Wrist, Silk Shirt, Moonstone

Speed: 21 Strength: 15 Magic: 24 Spirit: 18
Attack: 11 Defense: 7 Evade: 7 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 5

Learned Abilities: Shiva, Ifrit, Atomos, Odin, Bahamut, Cure, Panacea, Protect(L), Shell(L)

Tetra Master:
6x Goblin 0P00
5x Fang 0P00
Skeleton 0P00
4x Flan 0M00 - 0M01
Zaghnol - 0P00
5xLizard Man 0P00
Zombie 0M00
2xBomb 0M00 - 1M00
Ironite 1P10
Sahagin 1P00 
Mimic 0M11

Chocobo:
Type - Yellow
Beak Level - 17
Chocotreasures dug up - Streamside, Between Mountains
Chocograph Inventory - Uncultivated Land, Healing Shore, Abandoned Beach, Cold Field, Faraway Lagoon, Bird's Eye Lagoon, Small Beach

Status & Notes: 

So, actually, a less productive day than initially thought. Couple of reasons. Right around when I was planning on beginning my evening play session, our power went out for an hour... not exactly sure why... but anyway, after it came back on, I decided to try out Diablo III v2 for a bit, since it came out yesterday. I have to say they made some big improvements in that game, and I'm looking forward to Reaper of Souls and trying out some of the new game modes and what not.

Again, also, I REALLY underestimated the amount of time I was going to need to spend on sidequests here. Makes sense though, you're starting out on probably two of the biggest sidequests of the game, learning all the Blue Magic and digging up all the Chocotreasures. Starts you off with a big chunk, and then you continue gradually throughout the game, as you will see.

So, goal for today is to get through Disc 1, and maybe even start Disc 2 a bit... and maybe to play a little more Diablo III... we'll see how it goes...

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Day #291 Recap (Final Fantasy IX)

Current Game: Final Fantasy IX

Current Play Time: 6:08
Total Play Time - 606:53
Current Game Overs - 0
Total Game Overs: 59

Where I Currently Am: Gizmaluke's Grotto
Stuff Did Today: We went to the Village of Dali, where strangely, no adults were around. We scoured the village and discovered a secret factory for Black Mage Dolls which sent Vivi into an existential crisis. The villagers kidnapped him and tried to send him off with their latest shipment, but we stopped them. We then had to take out Black Waltz #2 and Black Waltz #3 as we escaped on the cargo ship. Then we hijacked the ship and steered it to Lindblum, where Dagger knew the regent, who had been turned into an oglop because he cheated on his wife. Oops.The festival of the hunt was held, and Freya, an old acquaintance of Zidane's won, beating out Zidane and Vivi. During the celebration a soldier from Burmecia came in and requested help as Black Mages were sacking the kingdom... so off we go to help them out... but first, Chocobo Forest! We caught Choco and then took him to the forest where we started digging up Chocographs.

Current Setup:

Zidane - Lv 11
HP - 531 MP - 60
Equipped Passive Abilities: Beast Killer, Add Status, Protect Girls, Flee-Gil, Bright Eyes, Bandit
Equipment: Butterfly Sword, Headgear, Glass Armlet, Bronze Vest, Yellow Scarf

Speed: 24 Strength: 27 Magic: 12 Spirit: 25
Attack: 21 Defense: 11 Evade: 10 Magic Def: 8 Magic Eva: 7

Learned Active Abilities: Flee, Detect, What's That (L)
Learned Passive Abilities: Beast Killer, Steal Gil, Add Status, Protect Girls, Flee Gil, Antibody, Bright Eyes, Bandit

Vivi - Lv 7
HP - 194 MP - 62
Equipped Passive Abilties: Add Status, Antibody
Equipment: Mage Staff, Feather Hat, Glass Armlet, Cotton Robe, Glass Buckle

Speed: 16 Strength: 16 Magic: 28 Spirit: 23
Attack: 12 Defense: 10 Evade: 10 Magic Def: 9 Magic Eva: 12

Learned Active Abilities: Fire, Blizzard, Thunder
Learned Passive Abilities: None

Freya - Lv 11
HP - 194 MP - 62
Equipped Passive Abilties: Bug Killer, Man Eater, Cover, Level Up, Insomniac
Equipment: Javelin, Iron Helm, Mythril Gloves, Linen Cuirass, Coral Ring

Speed: 21 Strength: 23 Magic: 20 Spirit: 27
Attack: 18 Defense: 10 Evade: 13 Magic Def: 7 Magic Eva: 10

Learned Active Abilities: None
Learned Passive Abilities: None

Not Currently In Party:

Steiner - Lv 6
HP - 183 MP - 25
Equipped Abilities: Bird Killer, Bug Killer, Antibody
Equipment: Iron Sword, Bronze Helm, Bronze Gloves, Bronze Armor

Speed: 18 Strength: 25 Magic: 13 Spirit: 22
Attack: 16 Defense: 9 Evade: 8 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 2

Learned Active Abilities: Minus Strike,
Learned Passive Abilities: Bird Killer, Antibody

Dagger - Lv 5
HP - 159 MP - 54
Equipped Abilities: None
Equipment: Rod, Leather Hat, Leather Wrist, Silk Shirt, Moonstone

Speed: 21 Strength: 15 Magic: 24 Spirit: 18
Attack: 11 Defense: 7 Evade: 7 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 5

Learned Abilities: Shiva, Ifrit, Atomos, Odin, Bahamut, Cure, Panacea, Protect(L), Shell(L)

Tetra Master:
5x Goblin 0P00
5x Fang 0P00
Skeleton 0P00
4x Flan 0M00 - 0M01
Zaghnol - 0P00
Lizard Man 0P00
Zombie 0M00
Bomb 0M00
Ironite 1P10
Sahagin 1P00 
Mimic 0M11

Chocobo:
Type - Yellow
Beak Level - 10
Chocotreasures dug up - None

Status & Notes: 

So, finally a very productive day. Maybe not as far as I had hoped, but I forgot how long I was going to spend in the Chocobo Forest... I love the chocobo forest... really I do. Still have a couple chocographs to dig up in the first place, I'll be taking care of that today. Also, you can see I tweaked the Current Setup section ever so slightly, I like this layout a bit better, that's all. I also like showing the difference between the active and passive abilities.

I want to talk a little about one of the main mechanics of the game. Our main character, Zidane, in this game is a Thief. Now, this is the first game I can think of in the series... and maybe the only one at that where you can steal multiple items from an enemy. In fact, most of the boss battles in this game revolve more around being able to disable a boss enough so that you can steal from it than actually killing it, because you can get unique or advanced items by making sure you steal everything from a boss. This is fine, I have no problem with it, with a couple of exceptions. Firstly, the steal rate is way too low. There are some bosses in previous playthroughs which have taken me well over half an hour just because I couldn't steal the last item from it. Secondly, Zidane's limit breaks which are actually kind of cool, are pretty much wasted and never seen, because any time he gets into a trance, you're probably too busy trying to steal something from a boss to actually use it! I wish stealing didn't use up your trance meter.... alright complaints done.

Today's goals include: Finishing up the first chocobo forest, recruiting Qu and getting available Blue Magic, making it through Gizmaluke's Grotto and into Burmecia... all this with an outside chance of finishing Disc 1... let's see how it goes.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Day #290 Recap (Final Fantasy IX)

Current Game: Final Fantasy IX

Current Play Time: 2:37
Total Play Time - 603:22
Current Game Overs - 0
Total Game Overs: 59

Where I Currently Am: Village of Dali
Stuff Did Today: Made my way through the Ice Cavern, at the end the party was knocked out by a strange blizzard. Zidane was able to recover and find that it was created by the Black Waltz who summoned a Sea Lion to try and take Zidane out to take the princess back to Brahne. After defeating him, we escaped the cavern, and Garnet renamed herself Dagger to lay low.

Current Setup:

Zidane - Lv 6
HP - 268 MP 44
Equipped Abilities: Beast Killer, Protect Girls, Flee-Gil, Bandit
Equipment: Mythril Dagger, Leather Hat, Wrist, Leather Shirt

Speed: 23 Strength: 22 Magic: 19 Spirit: 23 Attack: 18 Defense: 6 Evade: 5 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 3

Learned Abilities: Flee, Detect, Beast Killer, Protect Girls, Flee-Gil

Vivi - Lv 6
HP - 158 MP - 58
Equipped Abilties: None
Equipment: Mage Staff, Leather Hat, Leather Wrist, Silk Shirt

Speed: 16 Strength: 13 Magic: 25 Spirit: 20 Attack: 12 Defense: 7 Evade: 7 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 5

Learned Abilities: Fire, Blizzard, Thunder

Steiner - Lv 6
HP - 183 MP - 25
Equipped Abilities: Bird Killer, Bug Killer, Antibody
Equipment: Iron Sword, Bronze Helm, Bronze Gloves, Bronze Armor

Speed: 18 Strength: 25 Magic: 13 Spirit: 22 Attack: 16 Defense: 9 Evade: 8 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 2

Learned Abilities: Minus Strike, Bird Killer, Antibody

Dagger - Lv 5
HP - 159 MP - 54
Equipped Abilities: None
Equipment: Rod, Leather Hat, Leather Wrist, Silk Shirt, Moonstone

Speed: 21 Strength: 15 Magic: 24 Spirit: 18 Attack: 11 Defense: 7 Evade: 7 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 5

Learned Abilities: Shiva, Ifrit, Atomos, Odin, Bahamut, Cure, Panacea
Learning Active Abilities: Protect, Shell

Tetra Master:
5x Goblin 0P00
5x Fang 0P00
Skeleton 0P00
4x Flan 0M00 - 0M01
Zaghnol - 0P00
Lizard Man 0P00
Zombie 0M00
Bomb 0M00
Ironite 1P10
Sahagin 1P00 

Status & Notes: 

Yes, so my slow and steady weekend should now be over. I should be back to a more normal amount of play time, because obviously, at this rate I was not going to finish IX by March 18th. Another editorial note. Over the weekend, I was a bit disappointed. I had purchased a long HDMI cable so that I could switch my PS3 output to my laptop if necessary. Unfortunately, my laptop does not like to acknowledge that it actually is an HDMI cable... so I'll have to alter the setup a bit... it should still work, just with a shorter HDMI cable than what I had wanted to use... oh well.

Really not much to say about my gameplay today. I did encounter the first friendly creature and gave it some ore... so there's part of that sidequest done.

Alright, goals for today... I'd like to possibly get through all the Dali stuff, through Burmecia and the whole Festival of the Hunt minigame stuff, and through Gizmaluke's Grotto... its a decent chunk, but I believe it should be doable... let's see how it goes...

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Day #289 Recap (Final Fantasy IX)

Current Game: Final Fantasy IX

Current Play Time: 1:56
Total Play Time - 602:41
Current Game Overs - 0
Total Game Overs: 59

Where I Currently Am: Ice Cavern
Stuff Did Today: Nothing

Current Setup:

Zidane - Lv 3
HP - 160 MP 38
Equipped Abilities: Beast Killer, Protect Girls, Flee-Gil, Flee, Detect
Equipment: Mage Masher, Leather Hat, Wrist, Leather Shirt, Moonstone

Speed: 23 Strength: 21 Magic: 18 Spirit: 23 Attack: 14 Defense: 6 Evade: 5 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 3

Learned Abilities: None

Vivi - Lv 3
HP - 91 MP - 50
Equipped Abilties: Fire, Blizzard, Thunder
Equipment: Mage Staff, Leather Hat, Leather Wrist, Silk Shirt

Speed: 16 Strength: 12 Magic: 24 Spirit: 20 Attack: 12 Defense: 7 Evade: 7 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 5

Learned Abilities: Fire

Steiner - Lv 3
HP - 183 MP - 25
Equipped Abilities: Minus Strike, Bird Killer, Bug Killer, Beast Killer, Antibody
Equipment: Iron Sword, Bronze Helm, Bronze Gloves, Bronze Armor

Speed: 18 Strength: 24 Magic: 12 Spirit: 22 Attack: 16 Defense: 9 Evade: 8 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 2

Learned Abilities: None

Garnet - Lv 1
HP - 70 MP - 46
Equipped Abilities: None
Equipment: Rod, Leather Hat, Wrist, Silk Shirt

Speed: 21 Strength: 14 Magic: 23 Spirit: 17 Attack: 11 Defense: 7 Evade: 5 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 3

Learned Abilities: Shiva, Ifrit, Atomos, Odin, Bahamut

Tetra Master:
4x Goblin 0P00
5x Fang 0P00
Skeleton 0P00
Lizard Man 0P00
Zombie 0M00
Bomb 0M00
Ironite 1P10
Sahagin 1P00 

Status & Notes: 

Yeah, so no play time yesterday. We had my twins' birthday party yesterday, and then had some of their friends back at our house and after all that... I pretty much just passed out on my couch. Yeah... and unfortunately I have another busy irl day today. It never ends... so, unfortunately I'm still only putting my goal for today at getting through the Ice Cavern... BTW I am really happy with my setup for the Current Setup section here... it is so short!!! For the first time in forever... So, yeah, gonna keep this update short for today, will be back tomorrow, when I probably write way too much... let's see how it goes.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Day #288 Recap (Final Fantasy IX)

Current Game: Final Fantasy IX

Current Play Time: 1:56
Total Play Time - 602:41
Current Game Overs - 0
Total Game Overs: 59

Where I Currently Am: Ice Cavern
Stuff Did Today: Rounded up the Knights of Pluto, then pursued Princess Garnet onto Tantalus's theater ship. It tried to escape, but Queen Brahne shot it down with harpoons and then blew it up with a bomb. It crashed in the Evil Forest... which of course no one had EVER escaped from. First we had to rescue Garnet  and Vivi from plant cages, then we escaped the forest, but not before the forest petrified itself and one of Zidane's theater buddies along with it.

Current Setup:

Zidane - Lv 3
HP - 160 MP 38
Equipped Abilities: Beast Killer, Protect Girls, Flee-Gil, Flee, Detect
Equipment: Mage Masher, Leather Hat, Wrist, Leather Shirt, Moonstone

Speed: 23 Strength: 21 Magic: 18 Spirit: 23 Attack: 14 Defense: 6 Evade: 5 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 3

Learned Abilities: None

Vivi - Lv 3
HP - 91 MP - 50
Equipped Abilties: Fire, Blizzard, Thunder
Equipment: Mage Staff, Leather Hat, Leather Wrist, Silk Shirt

Speed: 16 Strength: 12 Magic: 24 Spirit: 20 Attack: 12 Defense: 7 Evade: 7 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 5

Learned Abilities: Fire

Steiner - Lv 3
HP - 183 MP - 25
Equipped Abilities: Minus Strike, Bird Killer, Bug Killer, Beast Killer, Antibody
Equipment: Iron Sword, Bronze Helm, Bronze Gloves, Bronze Armor

Speed: 18 Strength: 24 Magic: 12 Spirit: 22 Attack: 16 Defense: 9 Evade: 8 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 2

Learned Abilities: None

Garnet - Lv 1
HP - 70 MP - 46
Equipped Abilities: None
Equipment: Rod, Leather Hat, Wrist, Silk Shirt

Speed: 21 Strength: 14 Magic: 23 Spirit: 17 Attack: 11 Defense: 7 Evade: 5 Magic Def: 6 Magic Eva: 3

Learned Abilities: Shiva, Ifrit, Atomos, Odin, Bahamut

Tetra Master:
4x Goblin 0P00
5x Fang 0P00
Skeleton 0P00
Lizard Man 0P00
Zombie 0M00
Bomb 0M00
Ironite 1P10
Sahagin 1P00 

Status & Notes: 


As I said yesterday, I'm kind of taking it easy for the first few days at least, at which point I'm sure I will pick up the pace. I have some time though, and it is not going to take me as long to get through this as it did Final Fantasy VIII... and there's one key reason for that. I'm not going to go nuts playing Tetra Master. Yes, I will list my cards above, but I'm not going to go out of my way to collect all the cards or anything like that. I've done it before and there's literally no purpose to it. Also, obviously, my run is not going to include getting the Excalibur II or anything ridiculous like that. I will be getting all the Chocobo Treasures, all the Blue Magic, etc. Just kind of wanted to outline my playthrough here.

I think I'm going to be focusing alot on the music in my commentary here, as, again, I have a very personal connection to the music from this game. There are a few GREAT tracks which unfortunately aren't heard very much in the game, just a couple of times which we get to experience in this short little bit of the game today. The first is Jesters of the Moon, which is the theme of Zorn and Thorn, a great track, go listen to it now, go! The other I really enjoy is the Evil Forest theme, which is very gentle and soothing for a place called the Evil Forest... Also, hearing the battle music in this game just makes me want to conduct all day.

Heh, so, today, probably another short day, my goal is really just to get through the Ice Cavern and make it over to Dali... really not being very ambitious so far. That'll change I'm sure... let's see how it goes.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Day #287 Recap (Final Fantasy IX)

Current Game: Final Fantasy IX

Current Play Time: 0:51
Total Play Time - 601:36
Current Game Overs - 0
Total Game Overs: 59

Where I Currently Am: Alexandria Castle
Stuff Did Today: Navigated through Ultimecia's Castle and took out the evil megalomaniac. Next, we loaded up a new world where we put on an awesome show at Alexandria Castle which 100 out of 100 nobles agreed was impressive. Then the princess ran away and the incompetent captain of the guards is out looking for her.

Current Setup:

Steiner - Lv 1
HP - 120 MP - 24
Equipped Abilities: None
Equipment: Broadword, Bronze Helm, Bronze Armor

Learned Abilities: None

Tetra Master:
3x Goblin 0P00
3x Fang 0P00
Skeleton 0P00
Lizard Man 0P00
Zombie 0M00
Bomb 0M00
Ironite 1P10
Sahagin 1P00 



Status & Notes: 

Time to talk about the end of Final Fantasy VIII. First of all, I want to say, I REALLY like Ultimecia's Castle as a last area. It is very much a classic final fantasy final area in a very non-traditional final fantasy game, which is all the better since the final area of Final Fantasy VII was very unimpressive. I also like the gothic theme of the area, which, again, is really a stark contrast to the rest of the game, but it is allowed to be since it takes place in a different time period than the rest of the game.

Now, the ending to Final Fantasy VIII... is really confusing. The interpretation of it I guess is based on how you interpreted the whole game. If you take the game at face value, then Squall is stuck in the time-compressed world, and thus the time-compression is affecting his memories and he is losing them, or perhaps the Guardian Forces are forcing the memories of Rinoa out of Squall's mind.... quick aside... why is this EXACTLY the ending of Crisis Core where the DMW starts to break???... okay, anyway, if you subscribe to the Squall is dead theory, then perhaps Squall's "dream" is ending. I don't know...

So, on to Final Fantasy IX. This is one of my FAVORITE games in the series. It is a return to a classic Final Fantasy game with much more streamlined mechanics and a class Final Fantasy setting. Also, this game takes itself a lot less seriously than the previous two and features a large amount of self-deprecating humor. The irony of this game is that it did not develop the same kind of nostalgia amongst fans as VII or VIII did, and of course this is a game built completely on nostalgia of the early Final Fantasy games... so many costumes and tenets of this game are built upon those of the early games of the series.... oh well. 

Also, the music in this game is amazing. I remember one of my college friends giving me the soundtrack to this game (before the game was even released) as a Christmas present during my Sophomore year... I fell in love with it... I even enjoy doing the silly swordfight over and over just to hear Vallo Alla Flamenco over and over...

Anyway, on to goals for today... man, can't believe we've made it all the way to FF IX already... anyway, we're probably going to slow things down a little... put alot of time into finishing VIII and don't want to get burnt out. That being said I'd least like to see the world map today... yeah, this is another one of those Final Fantasy games with a ridiculously long prologue... let's see how it goes...

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Final Fantasy VIII Review

Final Fantasy VIII came out at the peak of popularity of the series. Final Fantasy VII, by far Square Enix's biggest commercial success at the time was the previous game, and fans were really hungry for the next in the series. They wondered if Final Fantasy VIII would continue moving away from the fantasy genre and move more towards futuristic settings, or perhaps something completely different. What fans got was a game that moved leaps and bounds forward in the graphics department, but in the mechanics sense moved in a completely different direction, one that had its critics for sure. Let's take a look into this very divisive game in the Final Fantasy universe.

The story of Final Fantasy VIII is incredibly confusing. So much so, there are multiple theories on the entirety of the story. Let's start with the basics. Squall Leonheart is a student at Balamb Garden, a school for mercenary soldiers. After graduating you go on your first mission along with a couple other recent graduates, Zell, and Selphie, who is a transfer from another garden in Trabia. Also coming along is your former instructor Quistis. You work for a resistance group called the Forest Owls who are trying to free the town of Timber from occupation by Galbadia. The forest owls are led by Rinoa Heartlily, daughter to the General of Galbadia's army. Galbadia declares it is going to discuss peace, and appoints the Sorceress Edea to be Galbadia's diplomat. Edea soon murders the president of Galbadia and the team is dispatched to assassinate the Sorceress with a sniper named Irvine. The assassination does not go as planned and Squall is injured... remember this point

After the assassination attempt the Sorceress tries to retaliate against the Gardens by launching missiles. A volley of missiles destroyes Trabia Garden and the group is barely able to stop the attack against Balamb Garden after escaping from prison. The group soon discovers that Balamb Garden is a mobile base, and is soon able to start piloting it after defeating NORG, a member of the Shumi tribe who funded the creation of the Gardens and has been pulling the strings of Garden in secret. Galbadia Garden, also mobile, attacks Balamb Garden, during which time Squall is able to infiltrate Galbadia Garden and defeat Edea once again. At this time, Edea's powers are transferred to Rinoa, whom Squall has begun to develop many feelings for.

During this whole time, the group has experienced flashbacks of a man named Laguna, and his friends Kiros and Ward. This group of former Galbadia soldiers were injured during a mission at Lunatic Pandora laboratory. Laguna had been in love with a piano player named Julia who turns out to be Rinoa's mother, and falls in love with a woman named Raine from the town of Winhill who nurses him back to health along with her daughter Ellone. He is forced to work back in the Lunatic Pandora Laboratory and escapes with the help of a resistance movement against the leader of Esthar, another sorceress named Adel. Laguna agrees to become the face of the resistance movement and becomes Esthar's president, however, this causes him to miss the death of Raine who had a son with Laguna... Squall. These flashbacks were triggered by Ellone, who had the ability to transfer the conciousness of someone into the past of someone else she knew.

Squall, Zell, Quistis, Selphie, and Irvine realize they grew up together in an orphanage run by Cid the headmaster of Balamb Garden and Edea. This fact had been forgotten by most of them because when using Guardian Forces to increase their power, they lost some of their distant memories. Edea reveals that she was possessed by a sorceress from the future named Ultimecia who wishes to achieve time compression so that she could exist alone in the world. To do so, she requires Ellone, who has been in hiding. Rinoa is now possessed by Ultimecia, unbeknownst to everyone else. Squall  believes he has located Ellone in Esthar and carries Rinoa there. Ellone had actually been broguht to a space station and Squall takes Rinoa there, where Ultimecia takes control of her and frees Adel who had been imprisoned in space. During this time, Lunatic Pandora laboratory had been unearthed and moved towards a focal point on the planet causing hordes of monsters from the moon to gravitate towards Earth. This destroys the space station and leaves Rinoa floating in space. Squall rescues her and happens upon an empty spaceship to return them to earth.

Dr. Odine, an Esthar scientist, reveals that long ago when studying Ellone he captured her brain waves, and came up with an idea for a machine that could give anyone Ellone's power. He must perfect this machine in the future which Ultimecia uses to transfer her conciousness into a sorceress in the present. The machine's limitations prevent her from achieving time compression, which is why she requires Ellone. The group infiltrates Lunatic Pandora laboratory which is being run by Seifer, a former classmate of Squall's and former boyfriend of Rinoa's. He has pledged himself to the sorceress and continually stands in our way. He captures Rinoa and revives Sorceress Adel who junctions Rinoa onto herself. The group defeats Adel allowing Ultimecia to fully possess Rinoa. Ellone sends Rinoa to the past where Ultimecia is able to achieve partial Time Compression. The group uses this as a pathway into the future where they are able to infiltrate Ultimecia's castle and defeat her. Upon Ultimecia's defeat, she travels back into the past giving her powers to Edea, thus creating a time loop. Squall is unable to return to his time period, however is rescued by Rinoa, his true love.

Now, remember when I said that Squall was injured by Edea. Well, there are some theories that state that everything that happens after this takes place in a dream state within Squall's mind as Squall is actually dead. There are some supporting facts for this theory. Firstly, before this, Rinoa has strong feelings for Seifer. After this event, these are hardly mentioned, and she seems to go out of her way to become involved in a relationship with Squall. Secondly, Squall is a new SeeD who immediately is promoted to commander of the entire force. Also, the beings known as moombas, explained as evolved Shumis taking the form of a red lion... the symbol of Squall, are not revealed until after this event. Finally, the events of the ending, from Squall losing the memory of Rinoa, to seeing a happy Seifer and friends, to Ultimecia's words themselves certainly lend themselves to this theory. I really don't have an opinion one way or the other on this, and leave it up to you on which one is correct.

The story is a huge part of this game, way more than any other game. It is written as a love story, and thus a large part of the game and whether you like it will center on whether or not you like the romantic interest, in this case Rinoa. The plot itself is okay, however, it seems sometimes like the two are being pushed together for no reason. There is really never a defining point where the two develop feelings for each other, the rest of the party members just seem to want the two together and go out of their way to help get them together, until Squall finally decides he does really love her. The time aspect of this game is extremely confusing. You have events happening in the present, many flashback sequences with Laguna, who we never actually are directly told is Squall's father, it has to be pieced together, and then finally a villain who is from the future possessing people in the present because of a machine theorized in the present and perfected in the future. Ugh!

Now, let's move on to gameplay. First, let's mention that this game was developed around the same time as Final Fantasy Tactics, and the two share an important mechanic. This is, that all random encounters have monsters who's levels are determined by your party's level. This means that as you level up, so do the monsters. This basically means that levelling up is basically useless, except to make boss fights easier. Also, it means that your levelling rate is constant. It is just as easy to go from level 1 to level 2 as it is to go from level 99 to level 100. This is extremely jarring coming from all previous Final Fantasies and never really made any sense. It causes you to want to avoid fights more than any other game.

The main method of improving your stats is not levelling for the first time in the series. The game's main mechanic for improving your characters are Guardian Forces. These serve multiple purposes. First, they are the game's summons, and thus, yes you can summon from the very beginning of the game. I'll get more into these mechanics later. Each Guardian Force has abilities that can be gained by killing monsters and gaining AP. The most important of these abilities are Junctions. Junctions allow you to take Magic and assign it to a stat, thus improving it. Magic in this game is not learned by levels, but instead from Drawing it from enemies or at fixed points in towns and dungeons. Each character holds onto Magic like an item, and can hold up to 100 of a specific type at a time. Some Guardian Force abilities also allow you to create magic from items. We'll get into this a little later as well.

The problem with equipping magic to a stat, is this. Usually, more powerful magics give a more powerful effect to the stat. The effect scales with the amount of spells the character has in its inventory, which means casting your best spells actually makes your character weaker! Also, casting magic means you need to replenish your inventory which can be a very time consuming process.

One of the more fun aspects of this game is its main "sidequest". A collectible card game called Triple Triad. This is a game you can play against NPCs in the world. There are 110 cards to collect and you obtain most of them by simply beating other players. Different regions of the world have different rules for the game and these can be manipulated in various ways as well. There is a very good reason for collecting these. One GF ability you can learn at the VERY beginning of the game allows you to turn these cards into items. These items are used for everything including crafting weapons, a very minor mechanic in this game, to creating any of the most powerful magics in the game, to items that teach abilities to your Guardian Forces.

The Guardian Forces itself have a mechanic called Compatibility, the more you summon them or do specific actions, the higher the compatibility and the faster they summon. While you are summoning a Guardian Force, any damage you take is redirected to the Guardian Force, thus they can be killed. Also, each Guardian Force can learn an ability called Boost. This turns summoning into kind of a red light green light mini game... the better you do the more damage the summon does.

At low health, each character has a Limit Break they can use. These vary by character, and are usually some of the most damaging abilities in the game. The lower your HP, the better chance you can use it, and in fact once you know your HP is low enough, you can literally cycle through turns until you are allowed to use them. There is even a spell later in the game that allows you to use them at any time!

Finally, something exclusive to the PC versions and Japanese versions of the game is a minigame called Chocobo World. This game gives you a little chocobo who you build up and find items that can be transferred over to the main game, including many powerful and even exclusive items. The chocobo can also be summoned using an item and deals more damage the more you raise it.

Now that I've explained all the mechanics in the game. Let me summarize. This is an extremely customizable game. You can rely on summoning your GFs. You can play trying to stay as low level as possible. You can maximize your stats from the VERY beginning of the game. In fact, you can really use your junctions to tweak all your stats to be as powerful or weak as you want to be at any point in the game. You can very easily control the encounter rate of the game. I see this game as kind of a strange fusion of a JRPG with alot of the tenets of a Strategy RPG. Unfortunately, you really have to go out of your way to make this game a challenge. Most of the mechanics are just way too powerful. Once you decide on how you want to handle battles, there are very few instances where you have to deviate from your strategy. So, while interesting, the battle system of the game really falls a little flat.

There's really very little postgame to speak of. The only superboss of the game is Omega Weapon. This boss, while certainly possessing a myriad of super-powerful attacks, also follows an amazingly predictable pattern, and again, can be taken down by the obvious offensive strategy. So, this, unfortunately is nothing exciting.

Now, we move on to the Graphics and Sound. This is where Final Fantasy VIII really makes its mark. I said about Final Fantasy VII that the game looks incredibly dated. Let's be honest the early days of the Playstation were not kind, it was the ugly puberty of video games transitioning from 2D pixel and sprite graphics to the polygon graphics of today. Final Fantasy VIII even today still holds up graphically.The character models are upgraded from blocky semblances of people to true life-like models. The backgrounds are also far improved. While this still uses the pre-rendered backgrounds, and still a few instances where they use an FMV for background with the polygon characters, these instances are far less glaring than in VII.The summons are all beautiful, as well, the only downside to this is that you spend most of the animation staring at the corner of the screen playing red light green light to appreciate how good they look.  Another huge upgrade is found in the cut-scenes. They are liberally used in the game, with a huge beginning scene and a huge ending scene. These certainly did not disappoint with all the build-up after VII.

I feel the music in Final Fantasy VIII is a small step down from VII. The music is diverse, and well used to convey the different time periods of the game. From the gentle theme of Balamb Garden to the upbeat battle music in Laguna's world, to a gothic themed theme for Ultimecia's castle. Also of note is the great bouncy beat used for Triple Triad which you'll of course hear about a thousand times during the course of the game.

Overall, I feel that Final Fantasy VIII had some really ambitious ideas that just were not carried out as well as they could have been. Also, while the graphics and music hold up today, the mechanics and gameplay just do not. The too powerful card modding system to the near useless magic system to the barely implemented weapoin upgrade system, and finally of course the awful monster level system. Overall, this is not a game that has held up to the test of time.

Final Fantasy VIII Completion Data

Current Play Time: 66:00
Total Play Time - 600:45
Current Game Overs - 0 (Hooray!!!)
Total Game Overs: 59

Final Setup: 

Squall - Lv 100

HP:  9999 - Full-Life
Str:  254 - Ultima
Vit: 163 - Meltdown
Mag: 97 - Meteor
Spr: 108 - Reflect
Spd: 149 - Triple
Eva: 22% - Tornado
Hit: 255% - Double
Luck: 61 - Aura

ElemAtk - None
ElemDef - Life(30% to all), Flare(80% Fire, Ice, Thunder),Shell(+30% All), Protect(+20% Fire, Ice, Thunder)
StatAtk - Slow(100%)
StatDef - Death(100%), Berserk(100%), Holy(40% Death, Poison, Berserk, Zombie, Sleep, Curse, Confuse, Drain), Pain(50% Poison, Silence, Darkness, Curse
Equipment: Lionheart
Junctioned GFs: Ifrit, Carbuncle, Pandemona, Cerberus, Bahamut
Abilities Equipped:  HP+40%, Auto-Protect, Auto-Shell, Auto-Haste
Renzouken - Rough Divide, Fated Circle, Blasting Zone, Lion Heart

Magic: Curaga, Life, Full-Life, Regen(10), Esuna, Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, Berserk, Confuse, Quake, Tornado, Holy, Flare, Meteor, Ultima, Scan(99), Sleep, Zombie(54), Death, Double, Triple, Dispel, Shell, Reflect, Haste(54), Slow, Stop, Meltdown, Pain, Aura(99), Protect

Zell - Lv 73

HP: 9999 - Full-Life
Str: 166 - Ultima
Vit: 104 - Meltdown
Mag: 125 - Meteor
Spr: 97 - Reflect
Spd: 105 - Triple
Eva: 22% - Tornado
Hit: 153% - Aura
Luck: 59 - Pain

ElemAtk - None
ElemDef - Life(30% to all), Flare(80% Fire, Ice, Thunder), Shell(+30% All), Protect(+20% Fire, Ice, Thunder)
StatAtk - Sleep(100%)
StatDef -Esuna(19% to All),  Berserk(100%), Holy(40% Death, Poison, Berserk, Zombie, Sleep, Curse, Confuse, Drain), Death(100%)

Equipment: Ehrgeiz
Junctioned GFs: Shiva, Siren, Diabolos, Doomtrain, Tonberry
Abilities Equipped: HP+80%, Auto-Protect, Auto-Shell, Auto-Haste
Duel - Punch Rush, Booya, Heel Drop, Mach Kick, Burning Rave, Dolphin Blow, Meteor Strike, Meteor Barret, Different Beat, My Final Heaven

Magic: Curaga, Life, Full-Life, Esuna(99), Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, Quake, Tornado, Holy, Flare, Meteor, Ultima, Scan(97), Sleep, Berserk, Zombie(27), Death, Double, Triple, Dispel, Protect, Shell, Reflect, Haste(63), Slow, Stop, Meltdown(93), Pain, Aura

Irvine - Lv 48
HP: 9999 - Full-Life
Str: 154 - Ultima
Vit: 102 - Meltdown
Mag: 113 - Meteor
Spr: 94 - Reflect
Spd: 99 - Triple
Eva:21 - Meteor
Hit: 164% - Aura
Luck: 57 - Pain

ElemAtk - None
ElemDef - Life(30% to All),Flare(80% Ice, Thunder, Fire), Shell(+30% All), Protect(+20% Fire, Ice, Thunder)
StatAtk - Bio(9%)
StatDef - Esuna(20% to All), Berserk(100%), Confuse(100%), Death(100%)

Equipment: Exeter
Junctioned GFs: Quetzocoatl, Brothers, Leviathan, Alexander, Cactuar
Abilities Equipped: HP+80%, Auto-Protect, Auto-Shell, Auto-Haste
Limit Break - Normal Shot(100), Scattershot(100), Dark Shot(39), Flame Shot(99), Canister Shot(38), Quick Shot(0), Armor Shot(75), Hyper Shot(38)

Magic: Curaga, Life, Full-life, Regen(15), Esuna, Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, Bio(9), Demi, Quake, Holy, Flare, Meteor, Tornado, Berserk, Death, Double, Triple, Dispel, Protect, Shell, Reflect, Float(16), Haste(53), Slow, Stop, Meltdown(99), Pain, Aura(99), Confuse, Ultima

Selphie - Lv 37

HP: 1562
Str: 50
Vit: 17
Mag: 28
Spr: 22
Spd: 23
Eva: 1%
Hit: 255%
Luck: 21

Equipment: Strange Vision
Junctioned GFs: None
Abilities Equipped:  None

Magic: None

Quistis - Lv 86

HP: 3411
Str: 117
Vit: 29
Mag 76
Spr: 45
Spd: 32
Eva: 3%
Hit: 107%
Luck:20

Equipment: Save the Queen
Junctioned GFs:None
Abilities Equipped: None
Blue Magic: Laser Eye, Ultra Waves, Electrocute, Lv?Death, Degenerator, Aqua Breath, Micro Missiles, Acid, Gatling Gun, Fire Breath, Bad Breath, White Wind, Homing Laser, Mighty Guard, Ray-Bomb, Shockwave Pulsar

Rinoa - Lv 26

HP: 1291
Str: 54
Vit: 12
Mag:31
Spr: 24
Spd: 24
Eva: 2%
Hit: 107%
Luck: 18

Equipment: Shooting Star
Junctioned GFs:None
Abilities Equipped: None

Guardian Force:

Quezocoatl - Lv 100
HP - 6780
Compatibility: Squall - 600, Zell - 600, Irvine - 640, Quistis - 620, Rinoa - 640, Selphie - 580
Abilities: HP-J, Vit-J, Mag-J, Spd-J, Elem-Atk-J, St-Atk-J, Elem-Def-Jx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx4, Card, Str+60%, Mag+40%, Auto-Protect, Auto-Shell, Auto-Haste, Ribbon, SumMag+30%, GFHP+20%, Boost, T Mag-RF, Mid Mag-RF, Card Mod

Shiva - Lv 86
HP - 6074
Compatibility: Squall - 575, Zell - 540, Irvine - 604, Quistis - 648, Rinoa - 650, Selphie - 590
Abilities: Str-J, Vit-J, Spr-J, Spd-J, Eva-J, Luck-J, Elem-Atk-J, ST-Atk-J, Elem-Def-Jx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx4, Doom, Str+60%, Vit+40%, Auto-Protect, Auto-Shell, Auto-Haste, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, Boost, I Mag-RF

Ifrit - Lv 74
HP -6808
Compatibility: Squall - 600, Zell - 630, Irvine - 558, Quistis - 570, Rinoa - 620, Selphie - 600
Abilities: HP-J, Str-J, Spr-J, Eva-J, Luck-J, Elem-Atk-J, ST-Atk-J, Elem-Def-Jx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx4, Mad Rush, Str+60%, Str Bonus, Auto-Shell, Auto-Haste, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost, F Mag-RF, Ammo-RF

Siren - Lv 100
HP - 6955
Compatibility: Squall - 558, Zell - 578, Irvine - 620, Quistis - 584, Rinoa - 630, Selphie - 639
Abilities: Mag-J, ST-Atk-J, ST-Def-J, ST-Def-Jx2, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Treatment, Mag+20%, Mag+40%, Mag Bonus, Move-Find, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, Boost, L Mag-RF, ST Med-RF, Tool-RF

Brothers - Lv42
HP - 4342
Compatibility: Squall - 577, Zell - 610, Irvine - 541, Quistis - 580, Rinoa - 610, Selphie - 590
Abilities: HP-J, Str-J, Spr-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Def-J, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Defend, HP+20%, HP+40%, HP+80%, Cover, HP Bonus, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost

Diabolos - Lv 51
HP - 4891
Compatibility: Squall - 660, Zell - 579, Irvine - 611, Quistis - 600, Rinoa - 620, Selphie - 609
Abilities: HP-J, Mag-J, Hit-J, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Darkside, HP+20%, HP+40%, HP+80%, Mag+20%, Mag+40%, Mug, Enc-Half, Enc-None, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Time Mag-RF, ST Mag-RF

Carbuncle - Lv 59
HP - 6286
Compatibility: Squall - 580, Zell - 600, Irvine - 590, Quistis - 645, Rinoa - 680, Selphie - 720
Abilities: HP-J, Vit-J, Mag-J, ST-Atk-J, ST-Def-J, ST-Def-Jx2, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, HP+20%, HP+40%, Vit+20%, Vit+40%, Counter, Vit Bonus, Auto-Reflect, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Recov Med-RF

Leviathan - Lv 41
HP - 4705
Compatibility: Squall - 621, Zell - 580, Irvine - 561, Quistis - 570, Rinoa - 660, Selphie - 640
Abilities: Mag-J, Spr-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Defx2, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Recover, Spr+20%, Spr+40%, Spr Bonus, Auto-Potion, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost, Supt Mag-RF, GFRecov Med-RF

Pandemona - Lv 44
HP - 4888
Compatability: Squall - 570, Zell - 570, Irvine - 540, Quistis - 560, Rinoa - 640, Selphie - 620
Abilities: Str-J, Spd-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Def-J, Elem-Defx2, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Absorb, Str+20%, Str+40%, Spd+20%, Spd+40%, Initiative, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost

Cerberus - Lv 54
HP - 5164
Compatability: Squall - 640, Zell - 600, Irvine - 650, Quistis - 621, Rinoa - 700, Selphie - 740
Abilities: Str-J, Mag-J, Spr-J, Spd-J, Hit-J, ST-Atk-J, ST-Def-J, ST-Def-Jx2, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Spd+20%, Spd+40%, Auto-Haste, Expendx2-1, Alert, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%

Alexander - Lv 44
HP - 5169
Compatability: Squall - 580, Zell - 560, Irvine - 530, Quistis - 540, Rinoa - 620, Selphie - 640
Abilities: Spr-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Defx2, Elem-Defx4, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Revive, Spr+20%, Spr+40%, Med Data, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost, High Mag-RF, Med LV Up

Doomtrain - Lv 45
HP - 7862
Compatability: Squall - 540, Zell - 520, Irvine - 510, Quistis - 520, Rinoa - 600, Selphie - 580
Abilities: Elem-Atk-J, ST-Atk-J, Elem-Defx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Darkside, Absorb, Auto-Shell, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, SumMag+40%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, GFHP+40%, Boost, Junk Shop, Forbid Med-RF

Bahamut - Lv 54
HP- 9912
Compatability: Squall - 520, Zell - 500, Irvine - 520, Quistis - 510, Rinoa - 580, Selphie - 560
Abilities: Abilityx4, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Str+60%, Mag+60%, Mug, Move-HP Up, Auto-Protect, Expendx2-1, Rare Item, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, SumMag+40%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, GFHP+40%, Boost, Forbid Mag-RF

Cactuar - Lv 38
HP - 5051
Compatability: Squall - 580, Zell - 540, Irvine - 560, Quistis - 550, Rinoa - 640, Selphie - 700
Abilties: Eva-J, Luck-J, Mag, GF, Draw, Item, Defend, Kamikaze, Eva+30%, Luck+50%, Initiative, Move-HP UP, HP Bonus, Str Bonus, Vit Bonus, Mag Bonus, Spr Bonus, Auto-Potion, Expendx2-1, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%

Tonberry - Lv 53
HP - 7108
Compatibility: Squall - 540, Zell - 500, Irvine - 530, Quistis - 520, Rinoa - 540, Selphie - 660
Abilities: Magic, GF, Draw, Item, LV Down, LV Up, Eva+30%, Luck+50%, Initiative, Move-HP Up, Auto-Potion, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%,Boost, Haggle, Sell-High, Familiar, Call Shop

Eden - Lv 30
HP - 9572
Compatibility: Squall - 480, Zell - 400, Irvine - 380, Quistis - 439, Rinoa - 560, Selphie - 520
Abilities: Spd-J, Eva-J, Hit-J, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Mad Rush, Darkside, Devour, Luck+50%, Expendx3-1, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, SumMag+40%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, GFHP+40%, Boost, GFAbl Med-RF

Triple Triad:

Current Rules:
Balamb - Open
Galbadia - Open, Same
Dollet - Open
Trabia - Open
Fisherman's Horizon - Open, Elemental, Sudden Death
Centra - Open, Random, Same, Plus
Esthar - Open, Elemental
Lunar - Open, Same, Plus, Elemental, Sudden Death, Same Wall

Card Inventory:
Lv 1: Geezard - 20, Fungar - 12, Bite Bug - 13, Red Bat - 14, Blobra - 9, Gayla - 7, Gesper - 18, Fastitocalon-F - 14, Blood Soul - 12, Caterchipillar - 16, Cockatrice - 9

Lv 2: Grat - 14, Buel - 19, Mesmerize - 12, Glacial Eye - 21, Belhelmel - 12, Thrustaevis - 14, Anacondaur - 22, Creeps - 15, Grendel - 21, Jelleye - 12, Grand Mantis - 12

Lv 3: Forbidden - 3, Armadodo - 5, Tri-Face - 19, Fastitocalon - 3, Snow Lion - 4, Ochu - 11, SAM08G - 7, Death Claw - 9, Cactuar - 20, Tonberry - 7, Abyss Worm - 6

Lv 4:  Turtapod - 5, Vysage - 8, T-Rexaur - 18, Bomb - 10, Blitz - 14, Wendigo - 10, Torama - 10, Imp - 6, Blue Dragon - 14, Adamantoise - 11, Hexadragon - 14

Lv 5: Iron Giant - 10, Behemoth - 10, Chimera - 21, PuPu - 1, Elastoid - 7, GIM47N - 14, Malboro - 4, Ruby Dragon - 12, Elnoyle - 7, Tonberry King - 5, Wedge&Biggs - 10

Lv 6: Fujin+Raijin - 2, Elvoret - 4, X-ATM092 - 2, Granaldo - 4, Gerogero - 8, Iguion - 3, Abadon - 5, Trauma - 2, Oilboyle - 3, Shumi Tribe - 2, Krysta - 2

Lv 7: Propagator - 3, Jumbo Cactuar - 5, Tri-Point - 4, Gargantua - 4, Mobile Type 8 - 3, Sphinxara - 4, Tiamat - 1, BGH251F2 - 3, Red Giant - 5, Catoblepas - 3, Ultima Weapon - 8

Lv 8: Chubby Chocobo - 1, Angelo - 1, Gilgamesh - 1, MiniMog - 1, Chicobo - 1, Quetzacotl-  1, Shiva - 1, Ifrit - 1, Siren - 1, Sacred - 1, Minotaur - 1

Lv 9: Carbuncle - 1, Diabolos - 1, Leviathan - 1, Odin - 1, Pandemona - 1, Cerberus - 1, Alexander - 0, Bahamut - 1, Doomtrain - 1, Eden - 1

Lv 10: Ward - 1,  Kiros - 1, Laguna - 1, Selphie - 1, Quistis - 1, Irvine - 1, Zell - 1, Rinoa - 1, Edea - 1, Seifer - 1, Squall - 1

Chocobo World!!!

Lv 100
Weapon - 7 7 7 6
Interesting Items Moved over: Mag Up, HP Up, Mog's Amulet, Chocobo's Tag, Moon Stone, Friendship, Rocket Engine, Three Stars, Doc's Code, Life Ring, Status Guard, Aegis Amulet, Elem Guard, Hungry Cookpot, Spd Up, Vit Up, Magical Lamp, Shaman Stone, Solomon's Ring(?!?), Dark Matter, Power Generator, Ribbon!!!, Hundred Needles

Day #286 Recap (Final Fantasy VIII)

Current Game: Final Fantasy VIII

Current Play Time: 63:00
Total Play Time - 597:45
Current Game Overs - 0
Total Game Overs: 59

Where I Currently Am: Ultimecia's Castle
Stuff Did Today: Cleared out the Undersea research center... taking out Ultima Weapon and drawing the last Guardian Force... then I went to the Cactuar Island and levelled them all up. Next I headed back to Lunatic Pandora Laboratory and took out Seifer and Adel launching Laguna's plan into action. Next, time compression occured and I was no longer allowed into any town at all. After battling a crapload of sorceresses, I went back into the world and retreived my airship where I continually won Rare Cards back that I had made into items... Now, it's time to head to the end...

Current Setup:

Squall - Lv 100

HP:  8987 - Full-Life
Str:  254 - Ultima
Vit: 163 - Meltdown
Mag: 97 - Meteor
Spr: 108 - Reflect
Spd: 149 - Triple
Eva: 27% - Tornado
Hit: 255% - Double
Luck: 62 - Aura

ElemAtk - None
ElemDef - Life(30% to all), Flare(80% Fire, Ice, Thunder),Shell(+30% All), Protect(+20% Fire, Ice, Thunder)
StatAtk - Death(100%)
StatDef - Confuse(100%), Berserk(100%), Holy(40% Death, Poison, Berserk, Zombie, Sleep, Curse, Confuse, Drain), Pain(50% Poison, Silence, Darkness, Curse

Equipment: Lionheart
Junctioned GFs: Ifrit, Carbuncle, Pandemona, Cerberus, Bahamut
Abilities Equipped:  Spd+40%,Auto-Protect, Auto-Shell, Auto-Haste
Renzouken - Rough Divide, Fated Circle, Blasting Zone, Lion Heart

Magic: Curaga, Life, Full-Life, Regen(10), Esuna, Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, Berserk, Confuse, Quake, Tornado, Holy, Flare, Meteor, Ultima, Scan(99), Sleep, Zombie(54), Death, Double, Triple, Dispel, Shell, Reflect, Haste(54), Slow, Stop, Meltdown, Pain, Aura, Protect

Zell - Lv 73

HP: 9999 - Full-Life
Str: 166 - Ultima
Vit: 109 - Meltdown
Mag: 125 - Meteor
Spr: 97 - Reflect
Spd: 105 - Triple
Eva: 22% - Tornado
Hit: 153% - Aura
Luck: 59 - Pain

ElemAtk - None
ElemDef - Life(30% to all), Flare(80% Fire, Ice, Thunder), Shell(+30% All), Protect(+20% Fire, Ice, Thunder)
StatAtk - Sleep(100%)
StatDef -Esuna(19% to All),  Berserk(100%), Holy(40% Death, Poison, Berserk, Zombie, Sleep, Curse, Confuse, Drain), Death(100%)

Equipment: Ehrgeiz
Junctioned GFs: Shiva, Siren, Diabolos, Doomtrain, Tonberry
Abilities Equipped: HP+80%, Auto-Protect, Auto-Shell, Auto-Haste
Duel - Punch Rush, Booya, Heel Drop, Mach Kick, Burning Rave, Dolphin Blow, Meteor Strike, Meteor Barret, Different Beat, My Final Heaven

Magic: Curaga, Life, Full-Life, Esuna(99), Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, Quake, Tornado, Holy, Flare, Meteor, Ultima, Scan(97), Sleep, Berserk, Zombie(27), Death, Double, Triple, Dispel, Protect, Shell, Reflect, Haste(63), Slow, Stop, Meltdown(99), Pain, Aura

Quistis - Lv 86
HP: 9999 - Full-Life
Str: 217 - Ultima
Vit: 109 - Meltdown
Mag: 121 - Holy
Spr: 117 - Reflect
Spd: 102 - Triple
Eva:21 - Meteor
Hit: 155% - Aura
Luck: 60 - Pain

ElemAtk - None
ElemDef - Life(30% to All),Flare(80% Ice, Thunder, Fire), Shell(+30% All), Protect(+20% Fire, Ice, Thunder)
StatAtk - Death(100%)
StatDef - Esuna(20% to All), Berserk(100%), Confuse(100%), Stop(100%)

Equipment: Save the Queen
Junctioned GFs: Quetzocoatl, Brothers, Leviathan, Alexander, Cactuar
Abilities Equipped: HP+80%, Auto-Protect, Auto-Shell, Auto-Haste
Blue Magic: Laser Eye, Ultra Waves, Electrocute, Lv?Death, Degenerator, Aqua Breath, Micro Missiles, Acid, Gatling Gun, Fire Breath, Bad Breath, White Wind, Homing Laser, Mighty Guard, Ray-Bomb, Shockwave Pulsar

Magic: Curaga, Life, Full-life, Regen(15), Esuna, Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, Bio(9), Demi, Quake, Holy, Flare, Meteor, Blind(12), Berserk, Death, Double, Triple, Dispel, Protect, Shell, Reflect, Float(16), Haste(53), Slow, Stop, Meltdown, Pain, Aura(96), Confuse, Ultima

Selphie - Lv 37

HP: 1562
Str: 50
Vit: 17
Mag: 28
Spr: 22
Spd: 23
Eva: 1%
Hit: 255%
Luck: 21

Equipment: Strange Vision
Junctioned GFs: None
Abilities Equipped:  None

Magic: None

Irvine - Lv 48

HP: 2050
Str: 54
Vit: 23
Mag:61
Spr:22
Spd: 29
Eva: 2%
Hit: 115%
Luck: 17

Equipment: Exeter
Junctioned GFs:None
Abilities Equipped: None
Limit Break - Normal Shot(100), Scattershot(100), Dark Shot(36), Flame Shot(97), Canister Shot(36), Quick Shot(14), Armor Shot(100), Hyper Shot(16)

Rinoa - Lv 26

HP: 1291
Str: 54
Vit: 12
Mag:31
Spr: 24
Spd: 24
Eva: 2%
Hit: 107%
Luck: 18

Equipment: Shooting Star
Junctioned GFs:None
Abilities Equipped: None

Guardian Force:

Quezocoatl - Lv 100
HP - 6780
Compatibility: Squall - 600, Zell - 600, Irvine - 640, Quistis - 620, Rinoa - 640, Selphie - 580
Abilities: HP-J, Vit-J, Mag-J, Spd-J, Elem-Atk-J, St-Atk-J, Elem-Def-Jx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx4, Card, Str+60%, Mag+40%, Auto-Protect, Auto-Shell, Auto-Haste, Ribbon, SumMag+30%, GFHP+20%, Boost, T Mag-RF, Mid Mag-RF, Card Mod

Shiva - Lv 86
HP - 6074
Compatibility: Squall - 575, Zell - 540, Irvine - 604, Quistis - 648, Rinoa - 650, Selphie - 590
Abilities: Str-J, Vit-J, Spr-J, Spd-J, Eva-J, Luck-J, Elem-Atk-J, ST-Atk-J, Elem-Def-Jx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx4, Doom, Str+60%, Vit+40%, Auto-Protect, Auto-Shell, Auto-Haste, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, Boost, I Mag-RF

Ifrit - Lv 74
HP -6808
Compatibility: Squall - 600, Zell - 630, Irvine - 558, Quistis - 570, Rinoa - 620, Selphie - 600
Abilities: HP-J, Str-J, Spr-J, Eva-J, Luck-J, Elem-Atk-J, ST-Atk-J, Elem-Def-Jx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx4, Mad Rush, Str+60%, Str Bonus, Auto-Shell, Auto-Haste, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost, F Mag-RF, Ammo-RF

Siren - Lv 100
HP - 6955
Compatibility: Squall - 558, Zell - 578, Irvine - 620, Quistis - 584, Rinoa - 630, Selphie - 639
Abilities: Mag-J, ST-Atk-J, ST-Def-J, ST-Def-Jx2, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Treatment, Mag+20%, Mag+40%, Mag Bonus, Move-Find, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, Boost, L Mag-RF, ST Med-RF, Tool-RF

Brothers - Lv42
HP - 4342
Compatibility: Squall - 577, Zell - 610, Irvine - 541, Quistis - 580, Rinoa - 610, Selphie - 590
Abilities: HP-J, Str-J, Spr-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Def-J, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Defend, HP+20%, HP+40%, HP+80%, Cover, HP Bonus, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost

Diabolos - Lv 51
HP - 4891
Compatibility: Squall - 660, Zell - 579, Irvine - 611, Quistis - 600, Rinoa - 620, Selphie - 609
Abilities: HP-J, Mag-J, Hit-J, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Darkside, HP+20%, HP+40%, HP+80%, Mag+20%, Mag+40%, Mug, Enc-Half, Enc-None, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Time Mag-RF, ST Mag-RF

Carbuncle - Lv 59
HP - 6286
Compatibility: Squall - 580, Zell - 600, Irvine - 590, Quistis - 645, Rinoa - 680, Selphie - 720
Abilities: HP-J, Vit-J, Mag-J, ST-Atk-J, ST-Def-J, ST-Def-Jx2, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, HP+20%, HP+40%, Vit+20%, Vit+40%, Counter, Vit Bonus, Auto-Reflect, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Recov Med-RF

Leviathan - Lv 41
HP - 4705
Compatibility: Squall - 621, Zell - 580, Irvine - 561, Quistis - 570, Rinoa - 660, Selphie - 640
Abilities: Mag-J, Spr-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Defx2, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Recover, Spr+20%, Spr+40%, Spr Bonus, Auto-Potion, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost, Supt Mag-RF, GFRecov Med-RF

Pandemona - Lv 44
HP - 4888
Compatability: Squall - 570, Zell - 570, Irvine - 540, Quistis - 560, Rinoa - 640, Selphie - 620
Abilities: Str-J, Spd-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Def-J, Elem-Defx2, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Absorb, Str+20%, Str+40%, Spd+20%, Spd+40%, Initiative, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost

Cerberus - Lv 54
HP - 5164
Compatability: Squall - 640, Zell - 600, Irvine - 650, Quistis - 621, Rinoa - 700, Selphie - 740
Abilities: Str-J, Mag-J, Spr-J, Spd-J, Hit-J, ST-Atk-J, ST-Def-J, ST-Def-Jx2, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Spd+20%, Spd+40%, Auto-Haste, Expendx2-1, Alert, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%

Alexander - Lv 44
HP - 5169
Compatability: Squall - 580, Zell - 560, Irvine - 530, Quistis - 540, Rinoa - 620, Selphie - 640
Abilities: Spr-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Defx2, Elem-Defx4, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Revive, Spr+20%, Spr+40%, Med Data, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost, High Mag-RF, Med LV Up

Doomtrain - Lv 45
HP - 7862
Compatability: Squall - 540, Zell - 520, Irvine - 510, Quistis - 520, Rinoa - 600, Selphie - 580
Abilities: Elem-Atk-J, ST-Atk-J, Elem-Defx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Darkside, Absorb, Auto-Shell, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, SumMag+40%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, GFHP+40%, Boost, Junk Shop, Forbid Med-RF

Bahamut - Lv 54
HP- 9912
Compatability: Squall - 520, Zell - 500, Irvine - 520, Quistis - 510, Rinoa - 580, Selphie - 560
Abilities: Abilityx4, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Str+60%, Mag+60%, Mug, Move-HP Up, Auto-Protect, Expendx2-1, Rare Item, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, SumMag+40%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, GFHP+40%, Boost, Forbid Mag-RF

Cactuar - Lv 38
HP - 5051
Compatability: Squall - 580, Zell - 540, Irvine - 560, Quistis - 550, Rinoa - 640, Selphie - 700
Abilties: Eva-J, Luck-J, Mag, GF, Draw, Item, Defend, Kamikaze, Eva+30%, Luck+50%, Initiative, Move-HP UP, HP Bonus, Str Bonus, Vit Bonus, Mag Bonus, Spr Bonus, Auto-Potion, Expendx2-1, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%

Tonberry - Lv 53
HP - 7108
Compatibility: Squall - 540, Zell - 500, Irvine - 530, Quistis - 520, Rinoa - 540, Selphie - 660
Abilities: Magic, GF, Draw, Item, LV Down, LV Up, Eva+30%, Luck+50%, Initiative, Move-HP Up, Auto-Potion, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%,Boost, Haggle, Sell-High, Familiar, Call Shop

Eden - Lv 30
HP - 9572
Compatibility: Squall - 480, Zell - 400, Irvine - 380, Quistis - 439, Rinoa - 560, Selphie - 520
Abilities: Spd-J, Eva-J, Hit-J, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Mad Rush, Darkside, Devour, Luck+50%, Expendx3-1, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, SumMag+40%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, GFHP+40%, Boost, GFAbl Med-RF

Triple Triad:

Current Rules:
Balamb - Open
Galbadia - Open, Same
Dollet - Open
Trabia - Open
Fisherman's Horizon - Open, Elemental, Sudden Death
Centra - Open, Random, Same, Plus
Esthar - Open, Elemental
Lunar - Open, Same, Plus, Elemental, Sudden Death, Same Wall

Card Inventory:
Lv 1: Geezard - 20, Fungar - 12, Bite Bug - 13, Red Bat - 14, Blobra - 9, Gayla - 7, Gesper - 18, Fastitocalon-F - 14, Blood Soul - 12, Caterchipillar - 16, Cockatrice - 9

Lv 2: Grat - 14, Buel - 19, Mesmerize - 12, Glacial Eye - 21, Belhelmel - 12, Thrustaevis - 14, Anacondaur - 22, Creeps - 15, Grendel - 21, Jelleye - 12, Grand Mantis - 12

Lv 3: Forbidden - 9, Armadodo - 3, Tri-Face - 19, Fastitocalon - 3, Snow Lion - 4, Ochu - 11, SAM08G - 6, Death Claw - 8, Cactuar - 20, Tonberry - 6, Abyss Worm - 4

Lv 4:  Turtapod - 5, Vysage - 7, T-Rexaur - 18, Bomb - 9, Blitz - 12, Wendigo - 10, Torama - 10, Imp - 6, Blue Dragon - 14, Adamantoise - 10, Hexadragon - 14

Lv 5: Iron Giant - 10, Behemoth - 10, Chimera - 21, PuPu - 1, Elastoid - 7, GIM47N - 14, Malboro - 3, Ruby Dragon - 11, Elnoyle - 6, Tonberry King - 4, Wedge&Biggs - 10

Lv 6: Fujin+Raijin - 2, Elvoret - 4, X-ATM092 - 2, Granaldo - 4, Gerogero - 8, Iguion - 3, Abadon - 5, Trauma - 2, Oilboyle - 3, Shumi Tribe - 2, Krysta - 2

Lv 7: Propagator - 1, Jumbo Cactuar - 2, Tri-Point - 3, Gargantua - 1, Mobile Type 8 - 2, Sphinxara - 2, Tiamat - 1, BGH251F2 - 2, Red Giant - 3, Catoblepas - 2, Ultima Weapon - 6

Lv 8: Chubby Chocobo - 1, Angelo - 1, Gilgamesh - 0, MiniMog - 1, Chicobo - 1, Quetzacotl-  1, Shiva - 1, Ifrit - 1, Siren - 1, Sacred - 1, Minotaur - 0

Lv 9: Carbuncle - 1, Diabolos - 1, Leviathan - 1, Odin - 1, Pandemona - 1, Cerberus - 1, Alexander - 0, Bahamut - 1, Doomtrain - 1, Eden - 1

Lv 10: Ward - 1,  Kiros - 0, Laguna - 0, Selphie - 1, Quistis - 0, Irvine - 1, Zell - 0, Rinoa - 1, Edea - 1, Seifer - 1, Squall - 1

Chocobo World!!!

Lv 100
Weapon - 7 7 7 6
Interesting Items Moved over: Mag Up, HP Up, Mog's Amulet, Chocobo's Tag, Moon Stone, Friendship, Rocket Engine, Three Stars, Doc's Code, Life Ring, Status Guard, Aegis Amulet, Elem Guard, Hungry Cookpot, Spd Up, Vit Up, Magical Lamp, Shaman Stone, Solomon's Ring(?!?), Dark Matter, Power Generator, Ribbon!!!, Hundred Needles

Status & Notes: 

So, here we are, headed to the end of the game... today is the day you can expect the Completion Stats and hopefully the Review as well... which of course will get me about 3 1/2 weeks to get through Final Fantasy IX... which is a much more straightforward game than VIII and should actually go a lot quicker....

So, something I had never done in any of my previous playthroughs of the game was really go back into the world once I got to Disc 4. Thus, I'd never gone and done any of the card playing in Disc 4. Which I must say is actually pretty interesting. First, you get to win back any cards you may have modded, which I wanted to do with the Minotaur Card specifically so I could make Steel Curtains to get Auto-Protect. Plus, you get to mess around with all the different rules since each card club member plays from a different region. So, that is kind of cool.

Now, we head to Ultimecia's Castle. A cool end area, where they tried something different... they make you unlock each of your different abilities as you go through... which is fine, though making you unlock Save is just annoying...

So, goal for today... finish Final Fantasy VIII, write the review... and maybe get a start on Final Fantasy IX... we'll see. Let's just see how it goes...

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Day #285 Recap (Final Fantasy VIII)

Current Game: Final Fantasy VIII

Current Play Time: 59:00
Total Play Time - 593:45
Current Game Overs - 0
Total Game Overs: 59

Where I Currently Am: End-Game Side-Quests
Stuff Did Today:  Followed the Queen of Cards all around the world, getting her father to create the last few cards we needed for our collection... then continued on to move her to Shumi Village where she can stay during Time Compression... then I helped out a little alien to get the final card ever. Next I solved the mystery of Obel Lake to get a Luck Junction scroll. Then, I went over to Esthar and beat up on some Elnoyles to level up my good GF friend Siren and get the final materials to level up my weapons... finally I went back over to that research lab where Bahamut was... and am taking a look at what's underneath...

Current Setup:

Squall - Lv 88

HP:  8548 - Full-Life
Str:  240 - Ultima
Vit: 149 - Meltdown
Mag: 95 - Meteor
Spr: 106 - Reflect
Spd: 147 - Triple
Eva: 26% - Tornado
Hit: 255% - Aura
Luck: 61 - Pain

ElemAtk - None
ElemDef - Life(30% to all), Flare(80% Fire, Ice, Thunder), Quake(200%), Holy(200%)
StatAtk - Sleep(100%)
StatDef - Esuna(20% All), Death(100%), Slow(100%), Stop(100%)
Equipment: Lionheart
Junctioned GFs: Ifrit, Carbuncle, Pandemona, Cerberus, Bahamut
Abilities Equipped:  Spd+40%, Str Bonus, Auto Haste, Vit Bonus
Renzouken - Rough Divide, Fated Circle, Blasting Zone, Lion Heart

Magic: Cure, Curaga, Life, Esuna, Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, Water, Demi, Quake, Tornado, Holy, Flare, Scan(99), Sleep, Zombie(54), Death, Double, Triple, Dispel, Reflect, Haste(54), Slow, Meltdown, Stop, Full-Life, Regen(10), Ultima, Aura, Pain, Meteor

Zell - Lv 43

HP: 6744 - Full-Life
Str: 206 - Meteor
Vit: 102 - Meltdown
Mag: 77 - Holy
Spr: 90 - Reflect
Spd: 96 - Triple
Eva: 21% - Tornado
Hit: 153% - Aura
Luck: 57 - Pain

ElemAtk - None
ElemDef - Life(30% to all), Flare(80% Fire, Ice, Thunder), Quake(200%), BlizzagA(200%)
StatAtk - Sleep(100%)
StatDef -Esuna(19% to All), Death(100%), Slow(100%), Stop(100%)

Equipment: Ehrgeiz
Junctioned GFs: Shiva, Siren, Diabolos, Doomtrain, Tonberry
Abilities Equipped: Str+60%, Mug, Auto-Haste, Mag Bonus
Duel - Punch Rush, Booya, Heel Drop, Mach Kick, Burning Rave, Dolphin Blow, Meteor Strike, Meteor Barret, Different Beat, My Final Heaven

Magic: Cure, Curaga, Life, Esuna(99). Firaga,  Blizzaga, Thundaga, Water, Quake, Tornado, Holy, Flare, Scan(97), Sleep, Berserk(18), Zombie(27), Death, Double, Triple, Dispel, Haste(63), Slow, Meltdown, Pain, Stop, Reflect, Meteor, Aura, Full-Life, Ultima(6)

Quistis - Lv 51
HP: 6964 - Full-Life
Str: 232 - Meteor
Vit: 103 - Meltdown
Mag: 75 - Holy
Spr: 110 - Reflect
Spd: 97 - Triple
Eva: 19% - Stop
Hit: 107%
Luck: 58 - Pain

ElemAtk - None
ElemDef - Life(30% to All), Quake(200%), Blizzaga(150%),Flare(80% Ice, Thunder, Fire)
StatAtk - Death(100%)
StatDef - Esuna(20% to All), Slow(100%), Aura(100%),  Dispel(50%)

Equipment: Save the Queen
Junctioned GFs: Quetzocoatl, Brothers, Leviathan, Alexander, Cactuar
Abilities Equipped: Str+60%, Str Bonus, Auto-Haste, Mag Bonus
Blue Magic: Laser Eye, Ultra Waves, Electrocute, Lv?Death, Degenerator, Aqua Breath, Micro Missiles, Acid, Gatling Gun, Fire Breath, Bad Breath, White Wind, Homing Laser, Mighty Guard, Ray-Bomb, Shockwave Pulsar

Magic: Cure(44), Curaga, Life, Esuna, Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, Water, Demi, Quake, Holy, Flare, Blind(12), Death, Double, Triple, Dispel, Reflect, Float(16), Haste(53), Slow, Meltdown, Stop, Bio(9), Regen(15), Pain, Aura, Meteor, Full-Life

Selphie - Lv 37

HP: 1562
Str: 50
Vit: 17
Mag: 28
Spr: 22
Spd: 23
Eva: 1%
Hit: 255%
Luck: 21

Equipment: Strange Vision
Junctioned GFs: None
Abilities Equipped:  None

Magic: None

Irvine - Lv 48

HP: 2050
Str: 54
Vit: 23
Mag:61
Spr:22
Spd: 29
Eva: 2%
Hit: 115%
Luck: 17

Equipment: Exeter
Junctioned GFs:None
Abilities Equipped: None
Limit Break - Normal Shot(100), Scattershot(100), Dark Shot(36), Flame Shot(97), Canister Shot(36), Quick Shot(14), Armor Shot(100), Hyper Shot(16)


Rinoa - Lv 26

HP: 1291
Str: 54
Vit: 12
Mag:31
Spr: 24
Spd: 24
Eva: 2%
Hit: 107%
Luck: 18

Equipment: Shooting Star
Junctioned GFs:None
Abilities Equipped: None

Guardian Force:

Quezocoatl - Lv 94
HP - 6363
Compatibility: Squall - 600, Zell - 600, Irvine - 640, Quistis - 620, Rinoa - 640, Selphie - 580
Abilities: HP-J, Vit-J, Mag-J, Spd-J, Elem-Atk-J, St-Atk-J, Elem-Def-Jx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx4, Draw, Item, Card, Str+60%, Mag+40%, Auto-Haste, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+20%, Boost, T Mag-RF, Mid Mag-RF, Card Mod

Shiva - Lv 74
HP -5209
Compatibility: Squall - 575, Zell - 540, Irvine - 604, Quistis - 648, Rinoa - 650, Selphie - 590
Abilities: Str-J, Vit-J, Spr-J, Spd-J, Eva-J, Luck-J, Elem-Atk-J, ST-Atk-J, Elem-Defx2, Elem-Def-Jx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx4, Doom, Str+60%, Vit+40%, Spr+40%, Auto-Haste, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, Boost, I Mag-RF

Ifrit - Lv 61
HP - 5629
Compatibility: Squall - 600, Zell - 630, Irvine - 558, Quistis - 570, Rinoa - 620, Selphie - 600
Abilities: HP-J, Str-J, Spr-J, Eva-J, Luck-J, Elem-Atk-J, ST-Atk-J, Elem-Def-Jx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx4, Mad Rush, Str+40%, Str+60%, Str Bonus, Auto-Haste, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost, F Mag-RF, Ammo-RF

Siren - Lv 100
HP -6955
Compatibility: Squall - 558, Zell - 578, Irvine - 620, Quistis - 584, Rinoa - 630, Selphie - 639
Abilities: Mag-J, ST-Atk-J, ST-Def-J, ST-Def-Jx2, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Treatment, Mag+20%, Mag+40%, Mag Bonus, Move-Find, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, Boost, L Mag-RF, ST Med-RF, Tool-RF

Brothers - Lv 29
HP -3097
Compatibility: Squall - 577, Zell - 610, Irvine - 541, Quistis - 580, Rinoa - 610, Selphie - 590
Abilities: HP-J, Str-J, Spr-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Def-J, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Defend, HP+20%, HP+40%, HP+80%, Cover, HP Bonus, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost

Diabolos - Lv 38
HP - 3713
Compatibility: Squall - 660, Zell - 579, Irvine - 611, Quistis - 600, Rinoa - 620, Selphie - 609
Abilities: HP-J, Mag-J, Hit-J, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Darkside, HP+20%, HP+40%, HP+80%, Mag+20%, Mag+40%, Mug, Enc-Half, Enc-None, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Time Mag-RF, ST Mag-RF

Carbuncle - Lv43
HP -4644
Compatibility: Squall - 580, Zell - 600, Irvine - 590, Quistis - 643, Rinoa - 680, Selphie - 720
Abilities: HP-J, Vit-J, Mag-J, ST-Atk-J, ST-Def-J, ST-Def-Jx2, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, HP+20%, HP+40%, Vit+20%, Vit+40%, Counter, Vit Bonus, Auto-Reflect, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Recov Med-RF

Leviathan - Lv 29
HP -3422
Compatibility: Squall - 621, Zell - 580, Irvine - 561, Quistis - 570, Rinoa - 660, Selphie - 640
Abilities: Mag-J, Spr-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Defx2, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Recover, Spr+20%, Spr+40%, Spr Bonus, Auto-Potion, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost, Supt Mag-RF, GFRecov Med-RF

Pandemona - Lv31
HP -2431
Compatability: Squall - 570, Zell - 570, Irvine - 540, Quistis - 560, Rinoa - 640, Selphie - 620
Abilities: Str-J, Spd-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Def-J, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Str+20%, Spd+20%, Spd+40%, Initiative, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag_30%, GFHP+10%

Cerberus - Lv 38
HP -3713
Compatability: Squall - 640, Zell - 600, Irvine - 650, Quistis - 620, Rinoa - 700, Selphie - 740
Abilities: Str-J, Spr-J, Spd-J, Hit-J, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Spd+20%, Spd+40%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%

Alexander - Lv 31
HP - 2567
Compatability: Squall - 580, Zell - 560, Irvine - 530, Quistis - 540, Rinoa - 620, Selphie - 640
Abilities: Spr-J, Elem-Defx2, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Revive, Spr+20%, Spr+40%, Med Data, GFHP+10%, High Mag-RF, Med LV Up

Doomtrain - Lv 32
HP - 2850
Compatability: Squall - 540, Zell - 520, Irvine - 510, Quistis - 520, Rinoa - 600, Selphie - 580
Abilities: Elem-Atk-J, ST-Atk-J, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Junk Shop, Forbid Med-RF

Bahamut - Lv42
HP- 3890
Compatability: Squall - 520, Zell - 500, Irvine - 520, Quistis - 510, Rinoa - 580, Selphie - 560
Abilities: Abilityx4, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Str+60%, Mag+60%, Mug, SumMag+10%, Forbid Mag-RF

Cactuar - Lv 25
HP -2150
Compatability: Squall - 580, Zell - 540, Irvine - 560, Quistis - 550, Rinoa - 640, Selphie - 700
Abilties: Eva-J, Luck-J, Mag, GF, Draw, Item, HP Bonus, Str Bonus, Vit Bonus, Mag Bonus, Spr Bonus

Tonberry - Lv40
HP - 5430
Compatibility: Squall - 540, Zell - 500, Irvine - 530, Quistis - 520, Rinoa - 540, Selphie - 660
Abilities: Magic, GF, Draw, Item, LV Down, LV Up, Eva+30%, Luck+50%, Initiative, Move-HP Up, Auto-Potion, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%,Boost, Haggle, Sell-High, Familiar, Call Shop

Triple Triad:

Current Rules:
Balamb - Open
Galbadia - Open, Same
Dollet - Open
Trabia - Open
Fisherman's Horizon - Open, Elemental, Sudden Death
Centra - Open, Random, Same, Plus
Esthar - Open, Elemental
Lunar - Open, Same, Plus, Elemental, Sudden Death, Same Wall

Card Inventory:
Lv 1: Geezard - 20, Fungar - 12, Bite Bug - 13, Red Bat - 14, Blobra - 9, Gayla - 7, Gesper - 18, Fastitocalon-F - 14, Blood Soul - 12, Caterchipillar - 16, Cockatrice - 9

Lv 2: Grat - 14, Buel - 19, Mesmerize - 12, Glacial Eye - 21, Belhelmel - 12, Thrustaevis - 14, Anacondaur - 22, Creeps - 15, Grendel - 21, Jelleye - 12, Grand Mantis - 12

Lv 3: Forbidden - 9, Armadodo - 3, Tri-Face - 18, Fastitocalon - 3, Snow Lion - 4, Ochu - 10, SAM08G - 6, Death Claw - 7, Cactuar - 13, Tonberry - 6, Abyss Worm - 4

Lv 4:  Turtapod - 4, Vysage - 7, T-Rexaur - 18, Bomb - 9, Blitz - 11, Wendigo - 10, Torama - 10, Imp - 6, Blue Dragon - 12, Adamantoise - 10, Hexadragon - 12

Lv 5: Iron Giant - 10, Behemoth - 9, Chimera - 21, PuPu - 1, Elastoid - 12, GIM47N - 14, Malboro - 3, Ruby Dragon - 11, Elnoyle - 6, Tonberry King - 4, Wedge&Biggs - 10

Lv 6: Fujin+Raijin - 2, Elvoret - 4, X-ATM092 - 2, Granaldo - 4, Gerogero - 8, Iguion - 3, Abadon - 5, Trauma - 2, Oilboyle - 3, Shumi Tribe - 2, Krysta - 2

Lv 7: Propagator - 1, Jumbo Cactuar - 2, Tri-Point - 2, Gargantua - 1, Mobile Type 8 - 2, Sphinxara - 1, Tiamat - 1, BGH251F2 - 2, Red Giant - 3, Catoblepas - 2, Ultima Weapon - 6

Lv 8: Chubby Chocobo - 1, Angelo - 1, Gilgamesh - 1, MiniMog - 1, Chicobo - 1, Quetzacotl-  1, Shiva - 1, Ifrit - 0, Siren - 0, Sacred - 1, Minotaur - 0

Lv 9: Carbuncle - 1, Diabolos - 1, Leviathan - 1, Odin - 1, Pandemona - 1, Cerberus - 1, Alexander - 1, Bahamut - 1, Doomtrain - 1

Lv 10: Ward - 1,  Kiros - 0, Laguna - 1, Selphie - 1, Quistis - 0, Irvine - 1, Zell - 0, Rinoa - 1, Edea - 1, Seifer - 1, Squall - 1

Chocobo World!!!

Lv 100
Weapon - 7 7 7 6
Interesting Items Moved over: Mag Up, HP Up, Mog's Amulet, Chocobo's Tag, Moon Stone, Friendship, Rocket Engine, Three Stars, Doc's Code, Life Ring, Status Guard, Aegis Amulet, Elem Guard, Hungry Cookpot, Spd Up, Vit Up, Magical Lamp, Shaman Stone, Solomon's Ring(?!?), Dark Matter, Power Generator

Status & Notes: 

Yay, lot of play time today, and did some interesting things. First, I finished Chocobo World.... well I beat the final boss. I never did get my hands on any Ribbons... but I don't know if I'm going to take the effort to try and get some... at least right now. Maybe if I ever came back to the game, but who knows.

Next, I finished up some of the more annoying side quests in the game. Namely, the ones involving the Queen of Cards. It is only annoying because there is so much randomness. I used the method to move her where I lose a rare card and win it back... which takes more time because you have to wait for her to play the card you lost to her and then hope she goes to the place you want her to after you win it back. Probably took me 9 attempts to get her to move from Esthar to Shumi Village... probably an hour and a half total.

So, all that's left is for me to finish up getting some magics to perfect my Junctions... I have a few spells I'd like to get and will do so. Also, there's a few abilities I want to get... namely Auto-Protect and Auto-Shell... so I will do that too. All this is prep for Omega Weapon later. then, I will take out Ultima Weapon and head over to Lunatic Pandora. Now, I'm sure you're expecting me to say that you should expect the completion data today, but I have something else I'm working on and am not sure I'm going to get the play time I need to finish up today, it will most likely be tomorrow. I would, however, like to be back in the main plot moving towards the end of the game by today... so we will see how that goes...


Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Day #284 Recap (Final Fantasy VIII)

Current Game: Final Fantasy VIII

Current Play Time: 54:00
Total Play Time - 588:45
Current Game Overs - 0
Total Game Overs: 59

Where I Currently Am: End-Game Side-Quests
Stuff Did Today:  Removed the Alien presence from the Ragnarok, then made it back to the planet where Rinoa, who is now a sorceress was immediately seized so she could be sealed. Squall was berated for allowing this to happen, so we went to the Sorceress' Memorial to get her back. We then visited the president of Esthar... Laguna... to discuss our end-game plan. The urgency of this means it is time to do sidequests! So first, I went and recruited a giant cactuar GF. Next I went to a secret lab out in the ocean and discovered Bahamut and recruited him as well...

Current Setup:

Squall - Lv70

HP:  7867 - Full-Life
Str:  255 - Meteor
Vit: 127 - Meltdown
Mag: 99 - Pain
Spr: 32
Spd: 102 - Triple
Eva: 22% - Tornado
Hit: 255%
Luck: 60 - Aura

ElemAtk - None
ElemDef - Life(30% to all), Flare(80% Fire, Ice, Thunder), Quake(200%), Ultima(83% to all)
StatAtk - Sleep(100%)
StatDef - Reflect(25% All), Esuna(20% All), Death(100%), Holy(40% to Death, Poison, Berserk, Zombie, Sleep, Curse, Confuse, Drain)
Equipment: Lionheart
Junctioned GFs: Ifrit, Carbuncle, Tonberry, Pandemona, Bahamut
Abilities Equipped:  Str+60%, Str Bonus, Auto Haste, Vit Bonus
Renzouken - Rough Divide, Fated Circle, Blasting Zone, Lion Heart

Magic: Cure, Curaga, Life, Esuna, Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, Water, Demi, Quake, Tornado, Holy, Flare, Scan(99), Sleep, Zombie(54), Death, Double, Triple, Dispel, Reflect, Haste(44), Slow, Meltdown, Stop, Full-Life, Regen(10), Ultima(53), Aura, Pain, Meteor,

Irvine - Lv 32

HP: 6244 - Full-Life
Str: 185 - Meteor
Vit: 97 - Meltdown
Mag: 97 - Pain
Spr: 88 - Reflect
Spd: 96 - Triple
Eva: 21% - Tornado
Hit: 160% - Aura
Luck: 16

ElemAtk - None
ElemDef - Life(30% to all), Flare(80% Fire, Ice, Thunder)
StatAtk - Sleep(100%)
StatDef -Esuna(19% to All), Holy(40% to Death, Poison, Berserk, Zombie, Sleep, Curse, Confuse, Drain), Death(100%), Slow(100%)

Equipment: Bismarck
Junctioned GFs: Shiva, Diabolos, Siren, Cerberus, Doomtrain
Abilities Equipped: Str+60%, Mug, Auto-Haste, Mag Bonus
Limit Break - Normal Shot(100), Scattershot(100), Dark Shot(36), Flame Shot(97), Canister Shot(36), Quick Shot(14), Armor Shot(100), Hyper Shot(16)

Magic: Cure, Curaga, Life, Esuna(99). Firaga,  Blizzaga, Thundaga, Water, Quake, Tornado, Holy, Flare, Scan(97), Sleep, Berserk(18), Zombie(27), Death, Double, Triple, Dispel, Haste(63), Slow, Meltdown, Pain, Stop, Reflect, Meteor, Aura, Full-Life

Quistis - Lv 30
HP: 9999 - Full-Life
Str: 187 - Meteor
Vit: 97 - Meltdown
Mag: 81 - Pain
Spr: 96 - Reflect
Spd: 94 - Triple
Eva: 9%
Hit: 105%
Luck: 16

ElemAtk - Firaga(100%)
ElemDef - Life(30% to All), Quake(200%), Blizzaga(150%),Flare(80% Ice, Thunder, Fire)
StatAtk - Death(100%)
StatDef - Esuna(20% to All), Slow(100%), Blind(12%), Dispel(50%)

Equipment: Red Scorpion
Junctioned GFs: Quetzocoatl, Brothers, Leviathan, Alexander, Cactuar
Abilities Equipped: Str+60%, Auto-Haste, Spr Bonus, HP+80%
Blue Magic: Laser Eye, Ultra Waves, Electrocute, Lv?Death, Degenerator, Aqua Breath, Micro Missiles, Acid, Gatling Gun, Fire Breath, Bad Breath, White Wind, Homing Laser, Mighty Guard, Ray-Bomb, Shockwave Pulsar

Magic: Cure(44), Curaga, Life, Esuna, Firaga, Blizzaga, Thundaga, Water, Demi, Quake, Holy, Flare, Blind(12), Death, Double, Triple, Dispel, Reflect, Float(16), Haste(53), Slow, Meltdown, Stop, Bio(9), Regen(15), Pain, Aura, Meteor, Full-Life

Selphie - Lv 37

HP: 1562
Str: 50
Vit: 17
Mag: 28
Spr: 22
Spd: 23
Eva: 1%
Hit: 255%
Luck: 21

Equipment: Strange Vision
Junctioned GFs: None
Abilities Equipped:  None

Magic: None

Zell - Lv 42

HP: 1905
Str: 53
Vit: 21
Mag: 30
Spr: 18
Spd: 26
Eva: 2%
Hit: 103%
Luck: 17

Equipment: Ehrgeiz
Junctioned GFs:None
Abilities Equipped: None
Duel - Punch Rush, Booya, Heel Drop, Mach Kick, Burning Rave, Dolphin Blow, Meteor Strike, Meteor Barret, Different Beat, My Final Heaven

Rinoa - Lv 26

HP: 1291
Str: 50
Vit: 12
Mag:31
Spr: 24
Spd: 24
Eva: 2%
Hit: 104%
Luck: 18

Equipment:Cardinal
Junctioned GFs:None
Abilities Equipped: None

Guardian Force:

Quezocoatl - Lv 90
HP - 6088
Compatibility: Squall - 600, Zell - 600, Irvine - 640, Quistis - 620, Rinoa - 640, Selphie - 580
Abilities: HP-J, Vit-J, Mag-J, Spd-J, Elem-Atk-J, St-Atk-J, Elem-Def-Jx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx4, Draw, Item, Card, Str+60%, Mag+40%, Auto-Haste, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+20%, Boost, T Mag-RF, Mid Mag-RF, Card Mod

Shiva - Lv 70
HP - 4947
Compatibility: Squall - 575, Zell - 540, Irvine - 604, Quistis - 648, Rinoa - 650, Selphie - 590
Abilities: Str-J, Vit-J, Spr-J, Eva-J, Elem-Atk-J, ST-Atk-J, Elem-Def-Jx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx4, Draw, Item, Doom, Str+60%, Vit+40%, Spr+40%, Auto-Haste, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, Boost, I Mag-RF

Ifrit - Lv 54
HP - 5004
Compatibility: Squall - 600, Zell - 630, Irvine - 558, Quistis - 570, Rinoa - 620, Selphie - 600
Abilities: HP-J, Str-J, Eva-J, Luck-J, Elem-Atk-J, ST-Atk-J, Elem-Def-Jx4, ST-Def-Jx4, Abilityx4, Item, Mad Rush, Str+40%, Str+60%, Str Bonus, Auto-Haste, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost, F Mag-RF, Ammo-RF

Siren - Lv 61
HP - 4244
Compatibility: Squall - 558, Zell - 578, Irvine - 620, Quistis - 584, Rinoa - 630, Selphie - 639
Abilities: Mag-J, ST-Atk-J, ST-Def-J, ST-Def-Jx2, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Treatment, Mag+20%, Mag+40%, Mag Bonus, Move-Find, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, Boost, L Mag-RF, ST Med-RF, Tool-RF

Brothers - Lv 25
HP - 2720
Compatibility: Squall - 577, Zell - 610, Irvine - 541, Quistis - 580, Rinoa - 610, Selphie - 590
Abilities: HP-J, Str-J, Spr-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Def-J, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Defend, HP+20%, HP+40%, HP+80%, Cover, HP Bonus, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost

Diabolos - Lv 35
HP - 3446
Compatibility: Squall - 660, Zell - 579, Irvine - 611, Quistis - 600, Rinoa - 620, Selphie - 609
Abilities: HP-J, Mag-J, Hit-J, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Darkside, HP+20%, HP+40%, HP+80%, Mag+20%, Mag+40%, Mug, Enc-Half, Enc-None, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Time Mag-RF, ST Mag-RF

Carbuncle - Lv 34
HP - 3737
Compatibility: Squall - 580, Zell - 600, Irvine - 590, Quistis - 643, Rinoa - 680, Selphie - 720
Abilities: HP-J, Vit-J, Mag-J, ST-Atk-J, ST-Def-J, ST-Def-Jx2, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, HP+20%, HP+40%, Vit+20%, Vit+40%, Counter, Vit Bonus, Auto-Reflect, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Recov Med-RF

Leviathan - Lv 24
HP - 2894
Compatibility: Squall - 621, Zell - 580, Irvine - 561, Quistis - 570, Rinoa - 660, Selphie - 640
Abilities: Mag-J, Spr-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Defx2, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Recover, Spr+20%, Spr+40%, Spr Bonus, Auto-Potion, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%, Boost, Supt Mag-RF, GFRecov Med-RF

Pandemona - Lv 24
HP - 1761
Compatability: Squall - 570, Zell - 570, Irvine - 540, Quistis - 560, Rinoa - 640, Selphie - 620
Abilities: Str-J, Spd-J, Elem-Atk-J, Elem-Def-J, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Spd+20%, Initiative, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%

Cerberus - Lv 30
HP - 3001
Compatability: Squall - 640, Zell - 600, Irvine - 650, Quistis - 620, Rinoa - 700, Selphie - 740
Abilities: Str-J, Spd-J, Hit-J, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Spd+20%, GFHP+10%, GFHP+20%, GFHP+30%

Alexander - Lv 27
HP -2061
Compatability: Squall - 580, Zell - 560, Irvine - 530, Quistis - 540, Rinoa - 620, Selphie - 640
Abilities: Spr-J, Elem-Defx2, Abilityx3, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Med Data, High Mag-RF, Med LV Up

Doomtrain - Lv 29
HP - 2603
Compatability: Squall - 540, Zell - 520, Irvine - 510, Quistis - 520, Rinoa - 600, Selphie - 580
Abilities: Elem-Atk-J, ST-Atk-J, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Junk Shop

Bahamut - Lv 35
HP- 3274 
Compatability: Squall - 520, Zell - 500, Irvine - 520, Quistis - 510, Rinoa - 580, Selphie - 560
Abilities: Abilityx4, Magic, GF, Draw, Item, Str+60%, Mag+60%, Forbid Mag-RF

Cactuar - Lv 21
HP - 1842
Compatability: Squall - 580, Zell - 540, Irvine - 560, Quistis - 550, Rinoa - 640, Selphie - 700
Abilties: Mag, GF, Draw, Item, HP Bonus, Str Bonus, Vit Bonus, Mag Bonus, Spr Bonus

Tonberry - Lv 35
HP - 4790
Compatibility: Squall - 540, Zell - 500, Irvine - 530, Quistis - 520, Rinoa - 540, Selphie - 660
Abilities: Magic, GF, Draw, Item, LV Down, LV Up, Eva+30%, Luck+50%, Initiative, Move-HP Up, Auto-Potion, SumMag+10%, SumMag+20%, SumMag+30%,Boost, Haggle, Sell-High, Familiar, Call Shop

Triple Triad:

Current Rules:
Balamb - Open
Galbadia - Open, Same
Dollet - Open
Trabia - Open
Fisherman's Horizon - Open, Elemental, Sudden Death
Centra - Open, Random, Same, Plus
Esthar - Elemental
Lunar - Open, Same, Plus, Elemental, Sudden Death, Same Wall

Card Inventory:
Lv 1: Geezard - 21, Fungar - 12, Bite Bug - 12, Red Bat - 15, Blobra - 7, Gayla - 6, Gesper - 17, Fastitocalon-F - 13, Blood Soul - 12, Caterchipillar - 16, Cockatrice - 9

Lv 2: Grat - 14, Buel - 18, Mesmerize - 11, Glacial Eye - 19, Belhelmel - 12, Thrustaevis - 14, Anacondaur - 19, Creeps - 12, Grendel - 21, Jelleye - 12, Grand Mantis - 11

Lv 3: Forbidden - 6, Armadodo - 3, Tri-Face - 12, Fastitocalon - 3, Snow Lion - 4, Ochu - 9, SAM08G - 5, Death Claw - 7, Cactuar - 13, Tonberry - 3, Abyss Worm - 3

Lv 4:  Turtapod - 4, Vysage - 6, T-Rexaur - 13, Bomb - 7, Blitz - 9, Wendigo - 7, Torama - 8, Imp - 5, Blue Dragon - 8, Adamantoise - 9, Hexadragon - 10

Lv 5: Iron Giant - 7, Behemoth - 5, Chimera - 18, Elastoid - 10, GIM47N - 12, Malboro - 7, Ruby Dragon - 8, Elnoyle - 4, Tonberry King - 3, Wedge&Biggs - 10

Lv 6: Fujin+Raijin - 2, Elvoret - 3, X-ATM092 - 2, Granaldo - 4, Gerogero - 7, Iguion - 3, Abadon - 5, Trauma - 2, Oilboyle - 3, Shumi Tribe - 2, Krysta - 2

Lv 7: Propagator - 1, Jumbo Cactuar - 2, Tri-Point - 2, Gargantua - 1, Mobile Type 8 - 2, Sphinxara - 1, Tiamat - 1, BGH251F2 - 2, Red Giant - 3, Catoblepas - 2, Ultima Weapon - 6

Lv 8: Chubby Chocobo - 1, Angelo - 1, Gilgamesh - 1, MiniMog - 1, Chicobo - 1, Quetzacotl-  1, Shiva - 1, Ifrit - 0, Siren - 0, Sacred - 1, Minotaur - 0

Lv 9: Carbuncle - 1, Diabolos - 1, Leviathan - 1, Odin - 1, Pandemona - 1, Cerberus - 1, Alexander - 1, Bahamut - 1

Lv 10: Ward - 1,  Kiros - 0, Laguna - 1, Selphie - 1, Quistis - 0, Irvine - 1, Zell - 0, Rinoa - 1, Edea - 1, Seifer - 1, Squall - 1

Chocobo World!!!

Lv 92
Weapon - 7 6 6 6
Interesting Items Moved over: Mag Up, HP Up, Mog's Amulet, Chocobo's Tag, Moon Stone, Friendship, Rocket Engine, Three Stars, Doc's Code, Life Ring, Status Guard, Aegis Amulet, Elem Guard, Hungry Cookpot, Spd Up, Vit Up, Magical Lamp, Shaman Stone, Solomon's Ring(?!?), Dark Matter, Power Generator

Status & Notes: 

Alright, got some play time today... got most of what I wanted to do.... #1 and #2 are down... so now its a bunch of running around stuff to do today. Basically, finish up all the cards stuff... then do the PuPu quest to get the last card, and the Odel Lake quest to get a free Luck-J... then its farming a lot of Energy Crystals for weapons and Ultima Magics.... then heading back to get Eden and all the abilities... and finishing the game.


Really, we're not far off. I'd say possibly tomorrow at the rate I'm going... of course I have to figure in the Chocobo World stuff as well... so we will see.

So, with the Ragnarok part of the game done. We can really talk about the driving part of the plot of the game... the relationship between Rinoa and Squall. When the game starts, Squall is basically working as a perfect mercenary. No emotions whatsoever, just playing the part of the soldier. Then, however, at some point, he falls for Rinoa. Now, the thing is, I never really understood WHEN exactly this happened, I mean for the longest time the rest of the party was just kind of pushing the two together for no particular reason, and its like after a while the two of them decided to go along with it. THIS GAME IS LIKE HIGH SCHOOL! So, yeah, for an attempt at a true love story based plot, I would've liked to see a more definite point where all of this comes together, but we'll just accept it. It has been said, how much you like or hate this game depends on your feelings towards Rinoa. Like I've said earlier, Rinoa was probably one of my first video game crushes so I was always all for her, and thus enjoyed the game...

So, anyway, how close WILL we get to the end of the game today? Today, with exactly one month to go until the FF X remakes come out... let's see how it goes.