8. D-District Prison, Final Fantasy VIII (PSX)
I loved Final Fantasy VIII; in fact Ill go so far as to say I actually preferred it to FFVII. But there was always one moment that stood out to me as potentially one of the frustrating moments in the history of the franchise: the D-District Prison. After a naughty assassination attempt, Squall and the gang are imprisoned in this hell-hole after being stripped of their weapons. When
Moombas show up to spring you, youve got the choice to go either up or down. Since logic dictates down for the exit, down you go. Down and down you travel, seemingly forever, each floor exactly the same layout, same colours, same everything. And since the prison quickly goes on high alert the encounter rate for enemies is increased to the point you never get far before the swirling screen prods at that growing knot of anger in the pit of your stomach. Then you reach the bottom and discover that you were actually meant to go up. Fourteen hours later when you turn the game back on, you begrudgingly start the journey to the top, grumbling like Muttley every step of the way. Seriously, getting out of this place is almost like getting out of actual prison.