Let me start off by saying that this is one of the best games I've ever  played. The graphics and FMVs (especially the intro!) are outstanding and  the storyline is engrossing, intricate and complex. Some people don't like  the new junction system, well, Squaresoft was trying to put something  different in the game so it wouldnt play as FFVII with materia. And the did  a fine job with that. Money is not of great importance in this game as  FFVII, but you do get a lot of it throughout the game. The main character  has a cool weapon, the gunblade, which is very original and it has much  more power than Cloud's big "axe." This game has some great music  - arguably the best ever in any RPG. The theme song, "Eyes on Me"  is a memorable and romantic tune that will easily catch your ear.  Overall FFVIII is an incredible game with a lot to it. There's a lot i  didn't mention but you'll figure it out. FFVII wasn't a bad game at all. Both  have their originalites and ups and downs.