Final Fantasy Viii Mods Steam

[Kimbery Challacombe]

Beingone of the rare few games that still has an active player base after 2 decades, some classics like Final Fantasy 8 hold up long after their expiration date. This doesn't happen on its own though; the game still has to be added to and updated to prevent things from getting too stale.

This is where the die-hard fans have made a library of mods to improve upon, not only giving it a fresh look but influencing the story and mechanics of the game. As with anything, some mods stand out among the rest and have become essential to anyone looking to enjoy the game without looking at a screen of pixels.

One of the reasons is the subpar soundtrack that comes with the Steam version of the game, tainting the entire experience for nostalgic players. Installing this mod will bring fans right back into the world they once knew with a remastered soundtrack.

Taking the landscape of the game and sharpening all the blurry edges, the Horizon pack sets its attention to the larger areas that most mods don't touch. Tackling the entire sky, cities, and roads, it's become an integral part of making the game as crisp as possible.

This is apparent when players look at the wide array of vehicles they navigate the world with. Ships and cars become more vibrant and jump out of the screen instead of disappearing due to dull colours from the original release.

Without focusing on one any particular fight, Lunar Cry will take all general enemies in the game and give them a serious style buff. Instead of flicking back and forth between the old graphics and newly designed boss fights, players can enjoy the full spectrum of bad guys to take out.

While putting emphasis on the biggest challenges should be a priority, it's the sweeping mods that cover big chunks of content that will be the most noticeable as you make your way through the game.

One of the most frustrating parts about releasing some older games on steam is using controllers with them. This is a fact for Final Fantasy 8 as it has some awkward key bindings that make smooth play a difficult task.

The player will be more significantly weakened while enemies get a small bump, the fact that it spans over every fight will really force you to step your game up. This is complemented by higher caps for both damage and health, taking away those nasty ceilings we've all been cursed with.

Another rebalance of the game that takes on a life of its own, putting some significant effort into making the gameplay a more rewarding trip. From obtaining certain items all the way down to power levels, Ragnarok makes even the most experienced player look at the game through a new lens.

It also makes the battles a more strategic mountain to climb instead of constantly grinding to brute force your way through fights. It will increase the difficulty without making it frustrating, doing an excellent job at balancing the gameplay.

While old graphics do lend to the nostalgic vibe for those coming back for a one-time play-through, they quickly get old and take us out of the world. This is especially true when it comes to the main characters, something Rebirth Flame puts its main attention to.

Not only upping the resolution but adding in costume changes and style overhauls that mix things up. Even going so far as to change some of the lesser characters and NPCs, Rebirth Flame is one of the best ways to experiment with the main gang.

While most players love the Final Fantasy titles for their atmosphere and general storyline, boss fights will always be the stand-out points in any game. Apocalypse gives players a better texture pack for the bosses and really brings out the best parts of every challenge.

While it's still receiving updates, it's clear that right from the jump the mod has taken the iconic bosses and given them a glow-up for modern times. Taking the old graphics and letting them breathe with fresh tech, players can enjoy the game without having to turn a blind eye to the visuals.

Probably the most ambitious project anyone has undertaken, Succession doesn't change the looks or sound in the game but the story. It reworks the script and gives fans in need of a fresh look at the game an entirely new narrative to follow.

This won't be the mod for everybody as some fans have such a strong attachment to the game's plot. But it definitely deserves a shoutout for creativity. It changes some major points in the story and throws characters into a whole new journey.

Like so many games that were made in the last decade, Final Fantasy 8 feels a little off-balance in certain areas. Martial Law will change the abilities and stat growth of each character, taking away the experience most players have.

It also makes some of the overpowered attacks in the game toned down and levels out some difficulty ramps. Overall, Martial Law makes the game a more playable experience and has been updated to further improve upon that fact.

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