The Lunatic Pandora Laboratory is a location in Final Fantasy VIII. Its researchers are devoted to the study of the Lunatic Pandora and are responsible for finding the secrets within the structure.
Story[]
Seventeen years ago Laguna Loire and the Adel resistance movement moved the Lunatic Pandora from the site and dumped into the ocean to get sorceress Adel's attention, before luring her to the Sorceress Memorial. Having been deemed too great a threat to be used, the Pandora would remain dormant underwater until Seifer recovers it on Ultimecia's orders.
Headed by Dr. Odine, the laboratory is located in the Great Plains of Esthar, just outside of Esthar City. During his attempt to rescue Ellone, Laguna had been captured trying to enter Esthar and worked momentarily as a slave in the laboratory before he staged a breakout and was recruited by a rebel faction to remove Adel from power.
Geography[]
Overview[]
The Lunatic Pandora Laboratory is located to the north of the Great Plains of Esthar.
The laboratory is a round, chrome building with large green windows and a red Esthar flag at the top. The entrance is long and open at the front. While the laboratory itself does not appear to be a tall building, most of it is contained underground. Like much of the Esthar continent, the laboratory is a very futuristic building, with a sleek, hi-tech design, and bright blue colors inside.
Outside[]
The outside of the laboratory contains the long entrance leading inside and has a Death draw point. A few steps on the end lead up to the small bridge leading inside.
This area has multiple different backgrounds in the game: during the Laguna flashback, Lunatic Pandora is seen in the background. If it is visited before the Lunar Cry, the sky is blue, and if visited thereafter, the sky is pink. When visited in Squall's time, there is a woman, a moomba, and a dog playing outside.
Inside[]
The inside of the laboratory is a room with many control panels, glass floors, and an elevator that leads to the lab's underground section.
Here, the Weapons Monthly First Issue can be obtained during the Laguna flashback. It lists some ultimate weapons, among them Squall's Lion Heart, but the player does not need to obtain the magazine to model the weapons; simply having the items and money and visiting a junk shop is enough.
Underground[]
The underground section is where Laguna used to work during his capture, alongside with moombas and other workers. This area can only be visited in the flashback. The area Laguna worked is a platform in the middle of a bottomless pit between the laboratory and Lunatic Pandora. The elevator on the right leading upwards to the main area inside the laboratory, while the door on the left leads to Lunatic Pandora and is inaccessible.
The flashback sequence where Laguna works in the underground section of the lab has two possible versions. In one, the moomba will fall off the balcony, but be saved due to its safety harness. In the other, the moomba is about to fall, but is saved from falling in time. Which version of the event happens depends on whether Squall lies about SeeD or stays silent when he is being interrogated in D-District Prison.
Musical themes[]
"Trust Me" plays inside the Lunatic Pandora Laboratory.