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Journey to Galbadia Garden
Final Fantasy VIII Remastered

Journey to Galbadia Garden

Navigate the Excavation Site and Yaulny Canyon in Final Fantasy VIII Remastered. Learn how to get powerful items and avoid dangerous enemies.

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Navigate the Excavation Site and Yaulny Canyon in Final Fantasy VIII Remastered. Learn how to get powerful items and avoid dangerous enemies.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Enter the forest to begin the Excavation Site sequence, where you control Laguna (Squall), Kiros (Quistis), and Ward (Selphie). Junctioned items to Zell and Rinoa will be unavailable during this sequence. Consider Junctioning Lightning to Elem-Atk as it is effective against Elastoid and Esthar Soldier (Cyborg) enemies.
  2. 2
    Elastoids, especially Level 30+, can be Mugged for Laser Cannons, which teach Quistis the Homing Laser attack. Elastoids also possess Dispel at all levels, and Stop at mid- to high levels.
  3. 3
    If you have been grinding on Balamb's beach, you may encounter Level 20+ enemies that can be Drawn for -ra spells.
  4. 4
    Follow the linear path until you reach a fork. A Sleep Draw Point is available, though you may already have maxed out this spell.
  5. 5
    Continue forward to face an Esthar Soldier, followed by three more in the next battle.
  6. 6
    Take the right fork and follow the path until you reach a junction near some junk. Choose to "Pick it up" to unlock a LuvLuv G later.
  7. 7
    Take the left path to a screen with three doors. Interact with the lever on the middle door, which opens access to a Silence Draw Point later.
  8. 8
    Return to the fork near the beginning and take the left/straight path to a three-way fork.
  9. 9
    A Confuse Draw Point is on the right fork. The central path leads onward. Use the Draw Point if desired, then descend the ladder.
  10. 10
    Behind the broken barricade on the left, in the blue area, you will find an Old Key. This key unlocks an Ultima Draw Point later.
  11. 11
    Continue down the hall and interact with the large hatch to unlock a Phoenix Pinion late-game.
  12. 12
    Return to the starting intersection and take the right-hand path again.
  13. 13
    Go back to where you opened the middle panel earlier and tamper with the right-hand one to unlock a Power Generator later.
  14. 14
    Return to the junction where the first Old Key was found and head north.
  15. 15
    Follow the path north to a detonator. Examine it and press the red switch first, then the blue one. This opens the left panel and the right side, also granting access to Combat King 005 on Disc 3.
  16. 16
    Head upwards to a large rock sticking out of the wall on the left. Examine it to push it aside, allowing access to a Spd-J Scroll later.
  17. 17
    Follow the path to a three-way intersection. Use the Save Point here if you wish.
  18. 18
    Head upwards into the final section, which consists of forced encounters against various E-Soldiers. The number of battles depends on whether you completed previous objectives.
  19. 19
    The final battle ends with Soul Crush, followed by a scene.
  20. 20
    After the Excavation Site sequence, you will be in Yaulny Canyon. Selphie and Quistis will have 1 HP, so heal them if you plan to use them. The forest can now be traversed on the World Map.
  21. 21
    Galbadia Garden is located west of the forest. If you are aiming to obtain Squall's ultimate weapon, Lion Heart, you will need 4 Dragon Fang items.
  22. 22
    Dragon Fangs are most easily acquired from Grendel enemies, which can be found in the forest area while touching the cliffs. They are a Common Drop from Level 1-20 Grendels and an Uncommon Drop from Level 20-30 Grendels. It is best to have low character levels for this. You cannot Mug Grendels for Dragon Fangs, as their Mug is Dragon Fin.
  23. 23
    It is possible to obtain Dragon Fangs from Level 20-30 T-Rexaurs, but this is difficult and requires higher levels.
  24. 24
    Once you are done or if you choose not to pursue Lion Heart at this time, head west towards Galbadia Garden.
Tips
  • Be wary of Gesper enemies in the Excavation Site, as they can use Degenerator, which instantly KO's a character and cannot be blocked. Prioritize eliminating Gespers quickly to avoid this.
  • If you are aiming for a perfect game with zero KO's, take out any Gespers before they can use Degenerator.
  • Mugging Level 30+ Elastoids can yield Laser Cannons, teaching Quistis the powerful Homing Laser attack.
  • Take advantage of the Dispel and Stop spells that Elastoids can cast, as these are not easily acquired early in the game.
  • If you have been grinding on Balamb's beach, you may be able to Draw -ra spells from enemies encountered in the Excavation Site.
  • The actions taken in the Excavation Site have important effects on Disc 3.
  • Interacting with the middle door panel in the Excavation Site unlocks a Silence Draw Point later.
  • Picking up the Old Key in the Excavation Site unlocks an Ultima Draw Point later.
  • Tampering with the right-hand panel near the first Old Key location unlocks a Power Generator later, which is a rare item.
  • Examining the detonator and pressing the switches opens access to Combat King 005 on Disc 3.
  • Pushing the large rock out of the way allows access to a Spd-J Scroll later.
  • Grendels are the best source for Dragon Fangs needed for Lion Heart. Aim for low-level Grendels for a better drop rate.

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