First of all, the battle system of Final Fantasy VIII will be turn based. No surprises here. However, there are some changes to the system of Final Fantasy VII. For example there won't be any magic points (MP) or materia. Can't imagine a Square game without magic points? Then read on.
The Draw Command
The Draw Command is how your characters will gain there magic skills. The magic isnt learned by Materia, or anything of that sort. Your characters must take the initiative to actually draw in opponent magic attacks before they are used. Once the magic is drawn in..you can do one of two things: Use: After drawing the magic you can automatically use it to attack your opponent with. Stock: Lets you absorb a single magic attack from your enemy and stock it away for later use. Your stock will eventually grow into a great library of magical attacks, and abilties.
Guardian Force
Guardin Force will work similar to Summon in Final Fantasy VII.There are some differences though... The monsters you summon will have hitpoints and stay at your side until they die or the battle is finished (or I guess until you die...). They will get experience like the other characters. It is even rumored that there will be a breeding system similar to the Chocobo breeding system of Final Fantasy VII.
Despairation Moves
Remember the weapons in Final Fantasy VII that worked differently when you werelow on hitpoints? Or Robo's Crisis hand (Chronotrigger)? Some people at Square must have liked those because in Final Fantasy VIII there is a special command that is only accessable when your character gets low on hitpoints: The Despairation Move. These moves will be very powerful (like Limit breaks in FFVII). Unlike the limit breaks the animation of the despairation moves will depend on which opponent you'll face. Also there's the possibility to maximize the moves' power by hitting R1 at the right moment.
