Junction System
While there’s no level grinding involved, Final Fantasy VIII can still get pretty deep with the innovative Junction system.
This was one of the more controversial aspects of the game back when it first released, but personally I’ve found it to be a rather fun way to strengthen your characters to the point of being OP.
FFVIII’s Junction system seems complex at first, but really all you need to know is that equipping GFs (or summons) to your characters allows you to junction magic to your stats to increase them.
So for instance, a GF with the Vit-J ability lets you junction magic to your Vit stat. And as GFs learn more J abilities, you get more stats to junction magic to.
Next, you need to start hunting for powerful magic for junctioning purposes. These can be obtained from enemies, draw points, or refining cards into magic. Get a bunch of powerful spells, level your GFs a little bit, junction all those spells to your stats, and you’ll be unstoppable.
It’s a very game-y system that rewards you in incredible ways if you put the time into it, and is what makes Final Fantasy VIII feel so distinct.
