= X Button = Circle Button = Square Button = Triangle Button
.------------------------------'
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Contents
========
Getting Started....................2 The checkered
Basic Controls.....................3 destinies of two men
Prologue...........................6 who repeatedly plunge
Main Characters....................7 their mighty souls
World Map Screen..................12 into battle.
Shops & Collecting Information....13
Menu Screen.......................14
Battle Screen.....................20
Junction System...................24
Card Game/Triple Triad............36
PocketStation*....................38
*Note: PocketStation personal game unit may not be available for
purchase outside Japan.
Important Note: Detailed information about the game can also be
found in the study panel on Squall's desk located in the classroom on
the second floor of Balamb Garden and in the Menu Screen under .
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Getting Started
===============
Usual stuff left out.
Caution During Disc Change
--------------------------
As the player progresses throughout the adventure, the
display will appear on the screen. When changing DISCs, follow the
instructions displayed on the screen with out turning the power OFF.
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Basic Controls
==============
- The Analog Joysticks may used only when the LED light is ON.
- The Vibration Function may be used even if the LED display is OFF.
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MENU SCREEN
-----------
directional button/left stick - Move Cursor / Switch screens between
Status Attack & Defense and Elemental
Attack & Defense while in the Magic
Junction Menu.
right stick - Not Applicable
START button - Not Applicable
button - Not Applicable
button - Execute / Open Status Windows in the Status Menu.
button - Open Limit Break Screen (Applies only in Status Screen).
Open Learned Abilities Screen (Applies only in Junction>
GF Screen).
button - Cancel
L1 or R1 button - Switch between corresponding character / GF
L2 button - Not Applicable
R2 button - Not Applicable
FIELD SCREEN
------------
directional button/left stick - Move
right stick - Not Applicable
START button - Turn Vibration Function ON/OFF
SELECT button - Not Applicable
button - Open Menu Screen
button - Talk / Execute Commands
button - Talk / Challenge to a Card Game
button - Cancel, Walk (when used with directional button or left
stick)
* Turning the Vibration Function ON/OFF can be done through the
"Vibration Mode" setting in the Configuration Screen (see page
19).
** Refer to page 12 on how to operate vehicles.
- To restart the game without turning off the power, press the START
button to pause the game, then press the L1, L2, R1, R2, SELECT and
START buttons simultaneously.
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Prologue
========
At the forefront of a rising tide of violence brought on by Galbadia's
war declaration is a SeeD cadet named Squall Leonhart. Serious to a
fault, Squall has earned himself the reputation of being a lone wolf.
A chance encounter with the free-spirited Rinoa Heartilly, however,
turns his universe upside down. Having thrived on discipline, Squall
finds Rinoa's carefree attitude fascinating. Yet there is no time to
ponder these thoughts, for the job of dealing with the sorceress
behind Galbadia's irrational hostility has fallen to SeeD and Squall.
In Final Fantasy VIII, the player will assume the roles of Squall and
Laguna to advance the story.
At times, Squall is known to fall into a "dreamlike" state. It is
during these periods that he encounters Laguna.
What destiny awaits these two characters?
At what point does the story between the two cross?
Who is Laguna...?
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Main Characters
===============
Squall and Laguna; two men linked by fate. The friends, rivals, and
beautiful women whom they encounter all come together to create a
striking and moving drama.
SQUALL LEONHART
---------------
Age: 17 Height: 5' 8"
The taciturn and reluctant hero: A cadet in SeeD, the special combat
unit of the Balamb Garden Military Academy. His aloof and anti-social
behaviour makes him appear selfish and lacking a sense of team unity.
Squall dislikes having others involved in his affairs, and is best
described as a lone wolf.
LAGUNA LOIRE
------------
Age: 27 Height: 5' 9"
A passionate man whose pen is truly mightier than the sword: An
ex-soldier turned journalist, Laguna is a strong willed man with
amazing energy. His compassion for the unfortunate drives him to help
the weak and bring down their oppressors. Using his writing as a
mighty instrument of justice, he stands strong against the evils of
the world.
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SEIFER ALMASY
-------------
Age: 18 Height: 6' 2"
Squall's rival who causes havoc within Garden: A candidate for SeeD.
Although Seifer is a naturally gifted soldier, his inability to take
orders and control his temper has earned him the label of
"problematic". Although recognizing and praising Squall's abilities,
Seifer regards him as his ultimate rival.
RINOA HEARTILLY
---------------
Age: 17 Height: 5' 3 1/2"
A beautiful, spirited young woman: A lively individual with the
ability to touch people's hearts. Open and honest with her feelings,
she speaks her mind without reservation. Driven by her ambitions, she
can be difficult at times.
QUISTIS TREPE
-------------
Age: 18 Height: 5' 6"
A top-notch member of SeeD who serves as Squall's instructor: A SeeD
cadet at the age of 15, Quistis now instructs Squall and his
companions at Balamb Garden. Contrary to her cool exterior, she
occasionally has a difficult time coping with frustration, and as a
result can become depressed over trivial matters.
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SELPHIE TILMITT
---------------
Age: 17 Height: 5' 1 1/2"
A spunky young woman with a carefree spirit: Selphie seems out of
place in a military academy because of her innocent appearance and
light-hearted personality. Her happy-go-lucky disposition and
laid-back attitude tend to catch others off guard.
ZELL DINCHT
-----------
Age: 17 Height: 5' 5"
A Garden Cadet with unsurpassed martial arts skills: Aspiring to
become like his grandfather who was once a soldier, Zell entered
Garden at the age of 13. Not being one to think matters through, he
is known to act on impulse rather than reasoning. At heart however,
he is an honest dedicated young man.
IRVINE KINNEAS
--------------
Age: 17 Height: 6' 0"
An expert gunman and consummate lady's man: Irvine is known as the
"Best Shooter in Garden". His reputation for cherishing the company
of women is almost as well known as his accuracy with a gun. Although
he seems to be uncaring and frivolous at first glance, in reality he
is sensitive and serious.
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Very cool 2 page spread.
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World Map Screen
================
A globe will be displayed on the bottom right of the World Map. For
Squall and his party, the map is a helpful tool in confirming where
they are while travelling across the world. On this map, a gunblade
will be displayed. The gunblade is an indicator that shows where the
player is located on the World Map and the direction in which the
player is heading.
VEHICLES ON THE WORLD MAP
-------------------------
As the player moves forward in the story, vehicles such as cars and
spaceships will enable the player to move more freely across the
world. The following operation applies to all vehicles in the game.
Press the button to get on or off a vehicle, press the button
to move forward, and press the button to move backwards. Press
left or right on the directional button to determine the direction in
which the vehicle will move. When using an Analog Controller (when
LED is lit), choose the direction with the left stick and move forward
and backward with the right stick.
ENTERING CHARACTER & GUARDIAN FORCE NAMES
-----------------------------------------
The Name Entering Screen shown on the right will be displayed for
Squall when he comes under player control for the first time. It
also appears when Squall meets new members of his party or obtains new
Guardian Forces. To rename a character or Guardian Force, use the
directional button to select a letter and press the button to
choose it (Press the button to delete). After the new name is
entered, use the directional button to select and press the button to complete the renaming process.
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Shops & Collecting Information
==============================
It will be necessary to stop at cities to gather information and to
use shops in order for the player to complete the game successfully.
To speak to a character, press the button. The party can also buy
and sell useful items at shops throughout the world (shop types are
listed below).
Junk Shop - Modify weapons and increase their power. Refer to
"Modifying Weapons" described below.
Shop - Buy or Sell items.
Hotel - Restores HP and removes Status Abnormalities for both
characters and GFs by staying overnight. Saving is also
possible at this location.
Study Panel - Gather various information related to the game. It
would be best to use the study panel along with this
instruction manual.
MODIFYING WEAPONS
-----------------
Characters may sometimes receive items such as rods or screws after
winning a battle. Not useful by themselves, these items or parts can
be taken to a Junk Shop where together with the proper specifications,
they can be used to modify and upgrade a character's weapon for a fee
(the stronger the upgrade, the more expensive the cost will be). The
specifications for making modifications can be found in magazines
located throughout the world. As modifications become more powerful,
the parts needed for the modification will become harder to find.
Modified weapons increase in Attack Power and Hit Rate.
RECEIVING SALARY
----------------
After Squall becomes a SeeD member, the player's party will be
entitled to a salary based upon his SeeD rank. The disbursement of
this salary will be credited to the party automatically at regular
intervals.
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Menu Screen
===========
Press the button to display the Menu Screen. On this screen, the
player can check the level of each character, their current HP and
maximum HP, and the location. The right side of the screen displays
various menu headings, the length of playtime, and the amount of money
in possession. When Squall becomes a member of SeeD, his SeeD rank
will also be displayed here. Use the directional button to select a
menu heading and open it by pressing the button. To exit the Menu
Screen, press the button.
LEARN TO USE THE MENU HEADINGS
------------------------------
There are a total of eleven menu headings in the Menu Screen. With
the exception of and , nine of the menu headings will
be explained below.
Junction - Refer to page 24
Guardian Force (GF) - Refer to page 26
1. Item - Using items
The Item menu heading provides access to the Item Screen that lets
the player use recovery items on injured characters or organize items
in inventory. When the Item Screen is displayed, the player can
select