How Do You Solve a Problem Like the Junction System?

March 10, 2021

Final Fantasy VIII is perhaps one of the most divisive entries in the franchise. Coming out as the middle entry in the PlayStation trilogy, FFVIII is somewhat of a departure from the previous entries. Ditching the high fantasy of the original Final Fantasy through to VI, and even the sci-fi, fantasy of VII. Final Fantasy VIII begins largely in a high school setting, with fairly modern day looking technology, including the computer terminal Squall uses in the opening minutes. However, this is not the only place where VIII differs from other entries, largely focusing on romance in terms of the plot, but also using a very different system for its battle mechanics. While the romance and setting might turn a few people away, it’s that battle system that raises the most discussion amongst fans.

The Junction system used within FFVIII allows for Guardian Forces, this games version of summons, to be ‘junctioned’ or equipped to a character so they may use their abilities. While this sounds good on paper, as in theory attaching Shiva to a character would allow them to use Ice magic, this is not how it works.

Without a Guardian attached, a character is limited to their base states and can only use the attack command. Meaning that in order to use a magic, summon, or even use an item, you must have a Guardian junctioned. It does raise the question as to why a character needs a summon attached just to use an item, but that is only one of the faults levelled against FFVIII. By junctioning a Guardian, you gain the abilities unlocked by that guardian as well as allow your characters to use their standard commands. You may also increase your states such as HP, MP, Strength and Vitality. However, these state increases are also dependant on the level of magic you have available.

How do you get magic? Well, there are two options. The first is unlocking the ability to refine magic from a guardian, or, you need to ‘draw’ the magic out of enemy creatures. Both of these commands can only be used by attaching a Guardian to the character, as they won’t unlock new abilities unless attached to a character in battle. Drawing magic can also only be done as a command when a guardian is attached. This means that a character is deeply restricted unless they have a Guardian attached.

An easy way around this would be levelling up your characters so that even without a Guardian, they can still cope with upcoming enemies. There is just one problem, enemies level up alongside you.

This set up works in theory, but in practice it leads to a lot of frustration from many players, causing the divisive atmosphere around discourse of the game. This leads to the question, how can it be improved?

The two games with a system comparable to VIII are Final Fantasy VI with its Esper system, and Final Fantasy IX and its armoury skills. The Esper system is introduced a few hours into Final Fantasy VI, and allows for a summon to be attached to a character. After a set amount of experience, the character Inherits the abilities available to them by the Esper, even when that Esper is taken away from a character, inherited abilities remain. Final Fantasy IX uses a very similar system, however, the abilities are not learnt through summons, instead it’s the equipment, such as weapons and armour that allow a character to learn specific traits. Both of these systems were well received and work well into the games narrative.

The Junction system in Final Fantasy VIII is primarily related to the plot, as the Guardian Forces junction relates to plot details. However, the learning ability from both VI and IX would greatly improve the usability of Final Fantasy VIII’s battle mechanics. Allowing characters to learn basic abilities and gaining a secondary boost when a Guardian remains junctioned to a character, allowing for both customisation, and ease of access.

Weather VIII is remade in the future or not with changes to its battle system, it’s still an interesting experience that you need to try first hand in order to truly get to grips with its failings and strong suits.