Final Fantasy VIII Review: The Finale (Commentary)

by Spoony on July 19, 2009 · View Comments

Just thought I’d put a link to the commentary on the front page! I hope you’ll find it…illuminating.

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warman40k July 19, 2009 at 10:30 am: Love the commentary.
Kudos on moving out of your parents house!
Greg P. July 19, 2009 at 11:45 am: Wow 28, living with your parents and you’re finally moving out. Huge congrats to you, man. Can’t wait to see how things go with your new room is like with your new reviews.
Keep it up man.
Tom July 19, 2009 at 11:45 am: Great commentary, it made me realise how much you’re improving in your reviews and becoming more pofessional, in comparrison to your earlyer reviews FF8 was miles ahead.
Keep up the great work! http://www.myspace.com/jukebanduk
tarvok July 19, 2009 at 12:09 pm: awesome job man.I can’t wait to see what’s next
J Turnblat July 19, 2009 at 12:11 pm: You know, Spoony, you’re going to have to play “Eyes on Me” at your future wedding.
RobberBaron July 19, 2009 at 12:17 pm: Nice to get some insight into this video from Spoony’s end. When I first watched this review I was a little worried because it DID feel like “The End” to the TSE as a whole, as well as FF8… until the post-credits Linkara bit, which was awesome.

I’m glad you’re continuing though. Although I like the Guy With The Glasses and AVGN and the rest, I do find Spoony to be particularly entertaining for one reason: When those other guys do a video, you can tell they’re playing a character, but when Spoony does a video it feels like it’s more or less his “real life” personality and that’s a lot harder to pull off, IMO.

One last thought: Considering Dr. Insano has been a recurring villain on ATFW, I wonder if we’re about to get another crossover of sorts?
Yuki July 19, 2009 at 12:18 pm: The reincarnated Burton will come forth hehe.
Red Silvers July 19, 2009 at 12:21 pm: Regarding Raine, since Spoony mentioned he had never seen her in game:

She was in the city with Laguna at the beginning of the second disc. You know, the part of the game where you were playing Boy or Girl? Maybe you would have noticed her if you hadn’t been thinking about the contents of Kiros’s pants?

Seriously though, glad to hear things are looking up for you.

I had a amusing thought though. What if the ‘fragment’ that Linkara found wasn’t really Spoony? What if it was really Squall?
Gorvar July 19, 2009 at 12:29 pm: I also think you should do FF9, if only because Zidane reminds me of you.
You ever thought of writing a screenplay if you were a FF charecture and point out the plot holes?

Squal: Can you tell us where the Head master is?
Girl: i think he is hiding in his office…
Spoony/Noah: You mean nobody checked his fu*king office during this entire civil war?!
Irving: calm down there pal…
Spoony: Calm down?! i spend fu*king 10 hours in guantanamo bay for that guy!
Jordi July 19, 2009 at 12:29 pm: The person who suggested Final Fantasy IX should be shot.

It’s my favorite but that’s why I want no review. It’s got great gameplay IMO but Spoony might not enjoy the chocobo hunting you have to do if you want Zidane’s ultimate weapon and some of the better abilities in the game.

………..So please Spoony, for all that is holy do NOT review FF9. I’m sure you’ve played it but I would prefer it remaining sacred. Review something actually bad. Or better yet, do the other projects and don’t pander to final fantasy fanboys. You’re the only reviewer I like to watch for things other than mainstream, so you aren’t disappointing me or any other fanboy of you by not playing anymore FF.

…….Also, glad you finally went out on your own man! As a 17 year old I haven’t got much to worry about yet in that department..but. Yeah.
Gorvar July 19, 2009 at 12:33 pm: He can laugh at the plot though.
The gameplay is good, exceptfor the trance mode, and has better controls then 8.
Lair July 19, 2009 at 12:34 pm: @Red Silvers

My thoughts exactly… didn’t spoony run away from the blast, surviving it in the process? So how come Linkara found his protoplasm then? Either Spoony is the first person ever in the history of cinema to make a dramatic run away from an explosion and still die in it, or Linkara is about to clone Spoonysquall.
SpitefulCrow July 19, 2009 at 12:39 pm: Goes to show everyone just how hard Spoony works to make these videos. Don’t say it’s easy, ’cause it’s not if you do it right. It’s a real two way street here. The fans visit the site, keep that ad revenue and donations flowing and Noah works hard to keep the fans happy. Without one you can’t have the other. So kudos to you, Noah, on working so hard to film such an epic ending. May all your trains be suplex’d.
Zaphrasz July 19, 2009 at 12:43 pm: Hearing how close the Experiment came to the edge of the metaphoric precipice was nerve racking.
Jordi July 19, 2009 at 12:44 pm: Gorvar: Laugh about what in the plot? The streamed consciousness? The fact that Zidane has a tail for a reason? Actually moving character’s? A war that destroys all the major cities in the world and it turns out to be that this is happening because a civilization died and wants to fucking merge with the planet in order to continue surviving? Give Final Fantasy IX some fucking credit, it’s got a better plot than 7 and 8 and even 10.

The evil masterminds aren’t killed by a bunch of teenagers who randomly came along, In fact Zidane is supposed to be an angel of death and Eiko and Garnet are the last summoners, they have the ability to kill even the most powerful summon (Alexander) and while Kuja isn’t threatening the minions of the mist like the Terra tree boss and the final boss Necron scared the fuck right out of me. Not to mention Garland pretty much shows Kuja up. Unlike FF7 or 8 it can’t be summed up in MAGICAL SORCERESS WHO WANTS TO DESTROY THE WORLD FOR NO REASON BEATEN BY A BUNCH OF TEENAGERS IN A WEIRD TIME MIND FUCK or TERRORISTS SAVE THE FUCKING WORLD FROM A GIRLY BOY WITH MOMMY PROBLEMS WHO SUMMONS A GIANT METEOR. Seriously, at least all the teenagers an kids in 9 aren’t conveniently there for no reason, they all have a purpose. The only one with a laughable reason for existing in 9 was Quina, but even she becomes useful once you learn lv 5 death and Angel’s snack.

The trance system is actually pretty cool in that it appeals to the emotions of the player at the time (Zidane in the beginning trancing over Garnet, Steiner trancing over Beatrix, Vivi trancing when Black Waltz 3 kills those black mages) it just gets tedious if you play the game enough. Really, 6 and 9 are two of the best Final Fantasy’s and it’s really hard to laugh at the plot when everything is eventually explained. Not to mention the romance actually gets developed and is pretty, and Melodies of Life doesn’t fail nearly as hard as Eyes on Me.

Face it, even if it has a slow start once war hits and Garnet drugs everyone the game becomes pretty mature and talks about death a lot- it’s my favorite Final Fantasy and my favorite game and it’s the only Final Fantasy man enough to bring up death as a consistent plot point other than 6. 7 has a main character DIE and they still just make it about materia and soldier and pretty boys saving the planet and Vincent visiting his angsty love interest. I want Spoony to stick to stuff that is genuinely bad, not a good game with a boring esque side quest system and some flawed overdrive setups.
Gorvar July 19, 2009 at 12:54 pm: I admit the first two disks had a VERY good plot line dont get me wrong, but exactly the entire beating the guy who created the universe went to much.
The scrupted Trans events are awesome and fit the plot, but the ones you get later in the game were at elast in my guys buggy.

I’m not saying FF9 is bad, heck no it’s better then FF8 in many, many ways.
But since Spoony sort of went from 7 to 8 and maybe to 9 i thought he might do 9.
But i agree with you, X and ESPICALLY X-2 suck the root HARD.
Destrucity July 19, 2009 at 1:01 pm: As long as you continue to be awesome like you have been, I think your fans will definitely keep coming in and making this site something profitable for you (and it certainly helps to have awesome friends like Mike Michaud and Ed Glaser offering you their support).

It’s actually interesting to hear this commentary in light of reading the history you have in the FAQ section–you never know exactly where you will get taken once you start down a zany, creative path. I am actually quite glad that things turned out for you the way they did and that you DIDN’T become an MST3K clone. I mentioned in another comment that your comedic skills are definitely on par with the best of their stuff, but I think that you have something really unique with your site here that…well, frankly, it just wouldn’t work in another context. I hope that the new room (and “the resurrection”) work out well for you–it is a change, but hopefully it will be an Evil Dead 2 sort of change and not an Army of Darkness sort of change.

Anyway, lots of luck and all that cliched bullshit that gets written in high school yearbooks. Looking forward to the next review!
Angus July 19, 2009 at 1:27 pm: How can you say you never met Raine in the story? She’s like…the second person you meet on Disc 2 in the Laguna dream. You even have her in one of your videos. <_<
Martze July 19, 2009 at 1:40 pm: Hey Spoony, you realize that Doomtrain is the very same train that Sabin suplexed, right?
Chulaind July 19, 2009 at 1:52 pm: Are we ever going to get to see you actually review the ending of ff8?
Sai July 19, 2009 at 1:54 pm: If I recall correctly the game implies Laguna is actually Squall’s father. Soooo, yeah.
dicemaster July 19, 2009 at 2:12 pm: @Jordi:
I was the one who brought up the idea of a FF9 review.
Like you, I love Final Fantasy 9, I think that it is the best game of the series. It was first contact with the series and i played FF9 without really knowing any of the other games and only because a freind recommended it to me.
I, like you, think that FF9 is sacred and should not be ranted on by some stupid critic. But Noah, in my opinion, really knows how to judge on games objectively. Doing a “Let’s play FF9″ would be a good way to comment on the game without too much recording/special fx/cutting work.
Azerth July 19, 2009 at 2:18 pm: Linkara’s a good friend for resurrecting you
RageTreb July 19, 2009 at 2:20 pm: Can we expect to see commentaries for the other FFVIII videos?
DefCut July 19, 2009 at 2:36 pm: I loved your FF8 reviews, I really did. FF8 is actually my favorite game ever, as it brings back childhood memories. But unfortunately, I think that this final review was a huge disappointment. I mean, it’s just blatant that it was rushed and it’s inconsistent with the other reviews, and I know that you are aware of that. But, oh well.
I got over the negative comments about John Woo movies, but this is too much! I hope your friend fails to revive you! I’d rather see Rob the robot take over The Spoony Experiment.

Cheers!
Vanessah July 19, 2009 at 2:41 pm: I love the commentaries. XD
Sniktbub July 19, 2009 at 2:52 pm: Always love to hear your commentaries man. Thank you for all the effort you always put into your stuff, it really pays off, your stuff is fucking awesome.

Can’t wait to see you at your new place, I wish you the best of luck with moving.
Omnus16 July 19, 2009 at 2:55 pm: I understand you are probably beyond caring at this point, but Raine is Squall’s mother. She is the one that Ellone wanted to keep together with Laguna. This also means that Laguna is Squall’s father. The “big love story” here is kind of a combination of love stories because Rinoa is Julia’s daughter and somehow Laguna & Julia’s love is reconciled through Squall and Rinoa getting together.
Even though you don’t remember Raine, she is in your video review where disc 2 is introduced and you have to fight giant caterpillars.

I hope this brought some insight and I just wanted to say that your reviews are fantastic! I will be sure to watch your upcoming work.
Anonymous July 19, 2009 at 3:03 pm: Sup /v/
Dude who knows about Manga July 19, 2009 at 3:37 pm: About that manga, It’s a Doujin that is fanmade. Japan doesn’t really mind about the copyright seeing how there is this huge convention called Comiket where Fans of anything make mangas, fangames, arrangement CDs, and they sell it in this convention.
In the US, if someone made a fangame that was for money, I’m sure they’d get sued.
Sidstyler July 19, 2009 at 4:14 pm: “Glad that everything’s been working out for you despite all of the problems you’ve had recently, Spoony. I don’t know what I’d do if TSE shut down.”

Suicide is really the only option. I’ve got my cyanide pill right here!

I just find it funny that Spoony is going to be moving out at about the same time I’m thinking about moving back in, lol…
Sidstyler July 19, 2009 at 4:39 pm: Oh, hey, have you thought about putting the old camera on eBay in the hopes that some rabid fan will pay top dollar for it as some sort of collectible?
t3h C. July 19, 2009 at 4:42 pm: I <3 commentary!
This was a very illiuminating set of events. Glad things are moving forward for you and I hope we get to see more from you as the experiment evolves.
your fan,
*~t3h C.
WebVidAddict July 19, 2009 at 6:16 pm: Great Commentary Spoony, it help to let us know what crazy things are going on.

I agree with the guy 2 above me about trying to sell the old camera on eBay, it works for Doug.

We love you Spoony, and will help as much as we can.
Jesse S. July 19, 2009 at 6:43 pm: So there *is* a move coming up. Good luck with that. I hope things work out with it being just you and your brother.
Mind Layer July 19, 2009 at 7:24 pm: “17 takenoko July 19, 2009 at 3:43 am
…..
…Recording audio over a video segment is called “dubbing” by the way…”

I think the word(s) Spoony was searching for was ADR or looping. In the context of television or movies, dubbing would be taking a foreign film and creating a new soundtrack in a different language. Example: all the Japanese Godzilla movies are dubbed into English for release in the US. ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement), or looping as it is often called, is a process that is used to recreate dialogue when the on-set recordings are not useable, like if the audio quality is too poor or if the performance wasn’t good enough. Then they will have an ADR session and the actors get into the recording studio and they watch the movie and try to speak their lines in sync with the picture. It is not uncommon for the dialogue tracks in modern Hollywood films to be created entirely via ADR. They still record the actors on set but often there is set noise, mechanical sounds, etc that make it unusable. My whole point in explaining this is to say to takenoko (comment #17) why don’t you try knowing wtf you’re talking about before spouting off some shit in the comments like you’re an expert.
NoHometro July 19, 2009 at 7:45 pm: Gracias, my man.

But seriously, no more FF reviews; one game was perfectly fine. I’m saying, polished as it can be, the MGS series is ripe for some snark.
Sidstyler July 19, 2009 at 8:08 pm: I wouldn’t be surprised if an MGS game is next, he does seem to like referencing MGS2 a lot.

It also makes for some great jokes involving the exclamation point. Well, maybe not great, but that shit always makes me laugh at least.
Kaizen July 19, 2009 at 9:02 pm: You need another long series on a super popular game.
Jason July 19, 2009 at 9:06 pm: I really wanted to hear what you think of the ending, you know, beat the bitch from the future, happy ending, the whole cutscene from the prespective of the camera
Case July 19, 2009 at 9:32 pm: Glad to hear that you’ve got living arrangements and web-hosting situated, Spoons. It’s good to see that your contingency plans turned out for the better and that you’re getting a break from the stress. I couldn’t imagine an interweb without ya. Here’s to the future, my friend.
Citizen Kiryu July 19, 2009 at 10:08 pm: Sentient Cholesterol? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

A glorious close to this epic review, sir. Can’t wait for what’s next.
CZ July 19, 2009 at 10:41 pm: wow, i thought you were just being a cheapo. lol jk.
Brad July 20, 2009 at 1:30 am: Great Commentary Spoony, love these behind the scenes things.

If you ever consider returning to another Final fantasy game, it should really be Final Fantasy X, it’s much shorter and more straight forward than VIII. And it’s the only one I’ve played almost to the end, I liked it, though of course it has problems, so I would prefer him to rip into that one than any of the games that I haven’t played.
Sniper_Zegai July 20, 2009 at 2:14 am: @Tomelin July 19, 2009 at 2:58 am

Well if anyone with a camera can be a independent movie maker than any asshole with a keyboard can be a critic amirite?
KoRnish July 20, 2009 at 2:20 am: Wow, and I thought that me being 20 and still living with my parents is embarassing… Anyway, great commentary, great review (all parts, they made me laugh really hard), and just too bad it’s end already. Are you going to do the rant about FF X? I would love to see that. BTW. Is it just me, or is Spoony very similiar to Hugh Grant? LOL.

PS. Sorry for my bad english, I’m from Poland.
Aufbruch July 20, 2009 at 2:52 am: I’m actually very curious to see you review FFX, Spoony….even if just as a bullet-point list of what you don’t like about it so much. FF8 was …just as terrible as you make it out to be, and years ago when I first came upon you on youtube, it was a relief to see someone finally call bullshit on it, but…I have to say I didn’t find FFX to be…that bad, and personally, think it’s much better than 8 or 9 (Nine was just….terminally mediocre).

FFX2 on the other hand….I stopped playing about halfway through the intro cinematic and never touched again. Your implication that 10 is….somehow worse than 8 leaves me a bit baffled, but intrigued.
Omi-san July 20, 2009 at 2:56 am: ” Although I like the Guy With The Glasses and AVGN and the rest, I do find Spoony to be particularly entertaining for one reason: When those other guys do a video, you can tell they’re playing a character, but when Spoony does a video it feels like it’s more or less his “real life” personality and that’s a lot harder to pull off, IMO.
”

AVGN’s latest reviews were done as James Rolfe. It seems like he dropped the angry nerd persona.
Epic Cardboard July 20, 2009 at 3:35 am: For the record, Spoony, I always figured those FF8 figurines on your desk were donations. I can tell how much you hate the game and would never purchase those.

… That said, kudos on purchasing the costume. It was absolutely hilarious.
Bandit July 20, 2009 at 5:22 am: @ 96:
“PS. Sorry for my bad english, I’m from Poland.” stop apologizing, your english is fine and you know it!! you don’t want to be like the germans, do you?