And that's my thought about Disc 1 of FFVIII

[zen_monk]

1. I use the draw system a lot. I also level up to the point that I get third tier magic off people by the time I'm in Timber.
2. I also tried to farm dragon skins off this snake thing, until I checked a walkthrough and realized I fought the wrong monster.
3. Too bad Zell, you get to skip a weapon tier.
4. I also once restarted a save so that I can get that magazine in that sewer in Deling City because I couldn't leave it alone. Which meant having Quistis and her crew go through the sewer again, but I was prepared for that. 
5. My usual team for Timber TV Channel heist was Zell and Rinoa, and then afterwards was Quistis and Selphie (to level them up). 
6. Lots of traps making for Laguna in that Esthar excavation site. 

PLOT STUFF:

1. When I first started playing FFVIII ever ever, I had no idea that Quistis had a serious crush on Squall. It's only a lot later (like nowadays) that I realized it was an actual thing. Whoops, that went over my head. 
2. I actually really like the Selphie and Zell party with Squall, and nowadays I thought it was something intentional for SE to have them be Squall's consistent people team (seifer being more guest party member really) since he seemed to gain their friendship and trust easily, at least compared to Rinoa and at times Quistis (though Quistis had that mentor/authority figure role to Squall when compared to schoolmates Selphie and Zell). 
3. Balamb Garden is swank and is a good place to live, really......no scratch that. In form and function, it's basically Santa Barbara. Nooo I gotta get out of Balamb. The city is where it's at! (me, impressing my ideas on Zell). 
4. I dunno, I've always felt that how Squall interacted with Selphie and Zell made me think he wasn't a complete asshole, which is the usual consensus. I also like that Squall wanted to be a good student and is more or less obedient, since I was always used to rebellious main characters. 
5. Ballroom scene is excellent. 
6. Rinoa is really indicative of the 90s, alongside Selphie and Zell, really. How they act (and were translated) is really nostalgic, actually. 
7. I like acing the SEED tests. 
8. A lot of love went to Trains and Hotels.
9. Galbadia garden is too big. 
10. Dollet is gorgeous. 
11. Laguna flashbacks made me wonder whether being in Laguna's team means certain immortality or certain death. 
12. Piano music is awesome in this game. 
13. Tomb of the Unknown Dude was really interesting to me, as far as ruins go.
14. DRAW THAT MAGIC FROM ULTIMECIA, SQUALL. 

What I thought was interesting was that Squall puts us in the mindset of someone who tries to be professional, even though he's very much a fresh graduate and that he wanted to be more of a follower than a leader at first. His professionalism showed when at General Caraway's mansion when he asserted that he was Rinoa's client and that he would do all he can to ensure that his client is safe and is complying to her wishes. This doesn't scream "character development" to me, since I don't think he changes his opinion about Rinoa that quickly, but more to affirm his loyalty and that he's very straight-laced. It definitely made Zell and Selphie be all psyched up when Squall made that point clear, which made me think that's what makes his classmates have more or less a better opinion about Squall upon his return. 

I, however, really think that Zell's my favorite character dude. He's like that hyperactive kid who is also a know-it-all and want to share things with others. And that I collectively like Selphie, Rinoa and Quistis at the same time.



And also: MICHAEL JACKSON PARADE.