In Final Fantasy VIII, Squall is a 17 year old student at Balamb Garden, a prestigious military academy for elite mercenaries known as "SeeDs." As the game's story progresses, Squall becomes friends with Quistis Trepe, Zell Dincht, Selphie Tilmitt and Irvine Kinneas, and falls in love with Rinoa Heartilly. These relationships — combined with developments in the game's plot — gradually turn him from a loner to an open and caring person.
In Kingdom Hearts, he is voiced by David Boreanez. In Kingdom Hearts 2, he's voiced by Doug Erholtz, who also reprises his role in both Final Fantasy Dissidia and Dissidia 2 (012). Ishikawa Hideo voices him in Japanese versions.