Ep 134: Final Fantasy 8 (Part 1) - First Steps Into a Bizarre, Beautiful World Artwork

A Gamer Looks At 40

An exploration of the history of video games told through the stories of the every day people who lived it. Join me along with a rotating cast of friends, family, gaming journalists, and industry types as we share personal recollections from the last thirty years of gaming, one story at a time.

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A Gamer Looks At 40

Ep 134: Final Fantasy 8 (Part 1) - First Steps Into a Bizarre, Beautiful World

December 08, 2025 • Bill Tucker • Episode 134

According to the internet, fans, and anybody with opinions to share, Final Fantasy 8 is a C-tier entry in the franchise. Despite raking in millions of dollars and rave reviews upon release, this oft maligned experience doesn't have many supporters. Or does it? On this episode of A Gamer Looks at 40, we attempt to separate fact from fiction and examine those amazing first impressions along with those down the line realizations.

STARRING (all handles from BlueSky)

Barry Carenza (@hawkhellfire)
Julian Titus (@julian_titus) of The Stage Select Podcast (@StageSelectPod)
Eddie Varnell (@thatretrocode) of the Boss Rush Network (@BossRushNetwork)
Mekel Kasanova (@MekelKasanova)
Michael K Hughes (@KaidanXain) of the Capes and Junk Podcast (@CapesAndJunk)
Mike Albertin of Games My Mom Found (@mom_found)
Mike of the Distorted Illuminations YouTube channel (@MadMonarch_DI)
Eric of the Unlockables Podcast (@unlockables)
Trevor and Jeff of New Dad Gaming Podcast (@newdadgaming)
James and JJ of RetroFits on YouTube (@FitsRetro)
Josh of the Still Loading Podcast (@StillLoadingPod)
Mustin (@mustin)

SONG COVERS

Final Fantasy VIII - Liberi Fatali Massive Collab' by Marc Papeghin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGjl92DqhnA

BALAMB GARDEN on Guitar - Final Fantasy 8 - Sam Griffin by Sam Griffin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK994q3TZL8

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