The story of Final Fantasy VIII follows Squall Leonhart, a cadet in a military academy called Balamb Garden.

A group of cadets/mercenaries from Balamb Garden, led by Squall are drawn into a conflict sparked by Ultimecia, a sorceress from the future who wishes to compress time.

Characters

Squall

- A talented student of Balamb Garden, one of the few people who wield a gunblade.

Rinoa

- Member of a resistance group, fighting against the nation of Galbadia, a nation her father is a General for.

Zell

- A Balamb Garden student with unrivalled Martial Arts skills.

Quistis

- The youngest teacher at Balamb Garden, even younger than some of her students.

Selphie

- An exchange student from Trabia Garden.

Irvine

- A sharpshooter from Galbadia Garden.

Laguna

- A writer and former soldier of the Galbadian army.