they don't make them like this anymore, man. everything about final fantasy x bleeds unfettered confidence and an uncontrollable optimism for games as a medium of art and entertainment alike; not only did kitase and his posse clearly believe video games could Be More but they were doing everything in their power to make those dreams corporeal, to make the future of games become a "here and now" rather than some distant aspiration that video games could one day hope to touch. it's really funny how hallmark western titles like braid or the last of us that would come in the ballpark of a decade later were lauded as "games finally being art," or kojima's insistent and insensitive portrayals of sexual assault in metal gear solid v to apparently "validate" games as art suggest an insecurity in the form, a need to prove itself, when squaresoft in their prime knew games were something special and were putting in all the legwork they could to make people see that and had been doing that since the eighties.
though i treasure final fantasy xvi, i can't help but look at it as having fallen to the same insecurity i alluded to in the aforementioned western titles - which makes ffx's confidence in itself and celebration of its own achievements all the more commanding of respect and admiration. yoshi-p wanted a return to a more conventional fantasy setting so he neutered a lot of the whimsy and off-the-wall wackiness from final fantasy for a grim-and-grisly dark fantasy setting inspired by the hot-button fantasy stories of the era such as game of thrones and god of war. what did kitase do whenever his fanbase demanded a return to a traditional european fantasy setting? he acted in direct defiance of that and instead looked to the folklore, customs, cultures and traditions of east and southeast asia (in particular okinawa) and started from the ground up, sculpting every aspect of the game to make something unlike anything final fantasy had ever seen or would ever see again. that even bleeds into its storytelling - sure, final fantasy x gets a lot of flak as the "goofy" one due to tidus's infamous laugh (fuck you it's one of the best romance scenes in all of final fantasy) or its loud-and-proud nature as a product of the turn of the millenia, but i think this is probably final fantasy's most gripping and eloquent political narrative... even and especially in comparison to the more "serious" political final fantasy games such as tactics, xii and (again) xvi. while a lot of political narratives in jrpgs tend to more broadly broach abstract ideas about classism, imperialism and war, final fantasy x's politics are rooted firmly in okinawa's historical relationship with mainland japan and the ties therein with institutional religion in modern-day japan. it's an aggressively japanese game in just about every manner, to the point where i can't help but wonder if there's a tie between ffx being the laughingstock of the series in the mid-to-late 00s and the really racist hatred of japanese games in the west during the seventh console gen... hmm
speaking of the seventh gen and onward it feels like every single way that developers try to flex the power of their hardware and their grasp over it is just graphics, graphics, graphics, to the point where we're getting diminishing returns and the games just flatly don't look all that great because they're bereft of visual direction and identity. i'm not really gonna do much talking about x's graphics (although this is STILL probably one of the best-looking ps2 games, especially those fmvs - oh my god!)... again, compensating for something, forgetting what makes games what they are. like yeah, games are a medium of art capable of conveying powerful messages and emotions like any other medium, but games are fun too! and man, what a better way to flex the capabilities of the recently-launched playstation 2 by making final fantasy x a GAME's game on top of all the shit it has to say as a story. there's so much shit to do in this game, man. it seems like every other nook and cranny has some minigame, sidequest or post-game content for you to sink your teeth into, squaresoft just packing all this random bullshit into this game because they COULD. like fuck, did you know there's a butterfly hunting minigame in the macalania lake? i sure as hell didn't until this playthrough!
i can't help but mourn what games have become and the state of the industry over the past decade and some change. square enix is a shell of its former self between its unbelievably slimy business practices and the increasingly-cynical nature of its output and middling quality of its games. final fantasy x seems like a relic of a bygone era that we can never return to, a reminder of better times, and a testament to the potential that video games in the AAA sphere have broadly failed to live up to.
but - true to the game's main message - final fantasy x also acts as a reminder of what games can be, what we can hope for and expect out of games, and a reminder that games are not inherently as rotten as the industry nowadays would lead you to believe. who knows? i certainly don't, but i also don't want to just give up and accept the stagnation that games have broadly been reduced to, or resign myself that this spiral of cynical corporate product-pushing is all that there is.
and i don't have to, really. the glory days of the aaa sphere might be over, but making games (and sharing them) is easier than ever. the titans of tomorrow are getting their start now with nothing more than their passion for the medium and a desire to connect with people whose passion matches theirs. ultimately, that's what brings people together to begin with: shared convictions, shared faith, shared ideals and shared love for their favorite things in the world.
and when that love brings people together and unites them in a common belief, thus enabling them to exert their will upon the world at whatever scale their numbers and determination allow for... things change. isn't it wonderful?
though i treasure final fantasy xvi, i can't help but look at it as having fallen to the same insecurity i alluded to in the aforementioned western titles - which makes ffx's confidence in itself and celebration of its own achievements all the more commanding of respect and admiration. yoshi-p wanted a return to a more conventional fantasy setting so he neutered a lot of the whimsy and off-the-wall wackiness from final fantasy for a grim-and-grisly dark fantasy setting inspired by the hot-button fantasy stories of the era such as game of thrones and god of war. what did kitase do whenever his fanbase demanded a return to a traditional european fantasy setting? he acted in direct defiance of that and instead looked to the folklore, customs, cultures and traditions of east and southeast asia (in particular okinawa) and started from the ground up, sculpting every aspect of the game to make something unlike anything final fantasy had ever seen or would ever see again. that even bleeds into its storytelling - sure, final fantasy x gets a lot of flak as the "goofy" one due to tidus's infamous laugh (fuck you it's one of the best romance scenes in all of final fantasy) or its loud-and-proud nature as a product of the turn of the millenia, but i think this is probably final fantasy's most gripping and eloquent political narrative... even and especially in comparison to the more "serious" political final fantasy games such as tactics, xii and (again) xvi. while a lot of political narratives in jrpgs tend to more broadly broach abstract ideas about classism, imperialism and war, final fantasy x's politics are rooted firmly in okinawa's historical relationship with mainland japan and the ties therein with institutional religion in modern-day japan. it's an aggressively japanese game in just about every manner, to the point where i can't help but wonder if there's a tie between ffx being the laughingstock of the series in the mid-to-late 00s and the really racist hatred of japanese games in the west during the seventh console gen... hmm
speaking of the seventh gen and onward it feels like every single way that developers try to flex the power of their hardware and their grasp over it is just graphics, graphics, graphics, to the point where we're getting diminishing returns and the games just flatly don't look all that great because they're bereft of visual direction and identity. i'm not really gonna do much talking about x's graphics (although this is STILL probably one of the best-looking ps2 games, especially those fmvs - oh my god!)... again, compensating for something, forgetting what makes games what they are. like yeah, games are a medium of art capable of conveying powerful messages and emotions like any other medium, but games are fun too! and man, what a better way to flex the capabilities of the recently-launched playstation 2 by making final fantasy x a GAME's game on top of all the shit it has to say as a story. there's so much shit to do in this game, man. it seems like every other nook and cranny has some minigame, sidequest or post-game content for you to sink your teeth into, squaresoft just packing all this random bullshit into this game because they COULD. like fuck, did you know there's a butterfly hunting minigame in the macalania lake? i sure as hell didn't until this playthrough!
i can't help but mourn what games have become and the state of the industry over the past decade and some change. square enix is a shell of its former self between its unbelievably slimy business practices and the increasingly-cynical nature of its output and middling quality of its games. final fantasy x seems like a relic of a bygone era that we can never return to, a reminder of better times, and a testament to the potential that video games in the AAA sphere have broadly failed to live up to.
but - true to the game's main message - final fantasy x also acts as a reminder of what games can be, what we can hope for and expect out of games, and a reminder that games are not inherently as rotten as the industry nowadays would lead you to believe. who knows? i certainly don't, but i also don't want to just give up and accept the stagnation that games have broadly been reduced to, or resign myself that this spiral of cynical corporate product-pushing is all that there is.
and i don't have to, really. the glory days of the aaa sphere might be over, but making games (and sharing them) is easier than ever. the titans of tomorrow are getting their start now with nothing more than their passion for the medium and a desire to connect with people whose passion matches theirs. ultimately, that's what brings people together to begin with: shared convictions, shared faith, shared ideals and shared love for their favorite things in the world.
and when that love brings people together and unites them in a common belief, thus enabling them to exert their will upon the world at whatever scale their numbers and determination allow for... things change. isn't it wonderful?
Comecei embasbacado pela beleza desse jogo - os céus e mares azuis vibrantes apresentam uma direção artística atemporal - e rapidamente a magia foi se dissolvendo.
A premissa da jornada é engajante, e os ossos estão aí: a dinâmica do quinteto original pra mim representa o jogo em seu ponto mais alto. Infelizmente, achei a execução porca - embora tenha gostado do personagem de Tidus, achei enorme parte da narrativa dependente de burrice e ignorância magníficas por parte dele e do grupo, a história dos personagens precisando de conveniência após conveniência para justificar caminhos e situações que não faziam em nada além de arrastar o jogo. Nunca fui convencido pela força dos laços formados, apenas dos já existentes antes da minha chegada na narrativa.
As regiões iniciais de Besaid e Luca são muito mais interessantes do que o resto do jogo, talvez porque ainda apresentavam um potencial que esperava ser cumprido. Depois delas, temos, por região, uma série de 2-3 corredores lineares com temáticas diferentes - corredores de fogo cheios de lagartos e pedra flutuantes; corredores de gelo cheios de pedras flutuantes e lagartos; corredores de grama cheios de lagartos e plantas (!); e corredores gordinhos de areia cheios de lagartos e cachorros. O jogo ser tão linear e restritivo quanto Pokémon Sun and Moon certamente não é algo que eu esperava. Até a trilha sonora do jogo, comum ponto alto em todo FF, é dolorosamente repetitiva e arrastada - repetição que se torna abrasiva dado em conta o volume de random encounters com lagartos, pedras, plantas e cachorros que tem nesse jogo, e o fato que basicamente só toca uma única música em todos eles.
Porém, se tenho que escolher o meu maior incômodo, certamente foi o Blitzball. A julgar pelo material de marketing e o início do jogo, entendia que o esporte teria um impacto narrativo e ligação ao mundo muito mais interessante do que acabou tendo. O jogo abre com Blitzball, e o esporte é o laço em comum que liga Tidus, um estranho no ninho, ao povo de Spira - era de se esperar que seria algo que facilitaria sua integração em situação tão traumática, e o começo do jogo dá a entender isso. Imagine meu prazer ao descobrir que não só Blitzball é uma merda de joguinho, quanto está totalmente relegado ao MENU do jogo, sem nem aproveitar o esporte para contextualizar melhor a peregrinação de Yuna e a integração de Tidus em Spira - sendo que todo time de Blitzball tem a sua cidade representada dentro do jogo!! Já pensou se os torneios fossem acessados fisicamente através de mini-sidequests dentro de cada respectiva cidade, e fossem usados para dar mais carne ao mundo do jogo? Broxei com força depois dessa revelação.
Em suma, acabei não gostando de quase nada nesse jogo, e nem de um jeito “não foi pra mim”; achei ruim mesmo. As boss fights, que costumam tirar o suco máximo do sistema de combate, foram o ponto mais alto - por mais que tenham alguns golpes bullshit que te forçam a rever cutscenes inteiras toda vez que você toma.
A premissa da jornada é engajante, e os ossos estão aí: a dinâmica do quinteto original pra mim representa o jogo em seu ponto mais alto. Infelizmente, achei a execução porca - embora tenha gostado do personagem de Tidus, achei enorme parte da narrativa dependente de burrice e ignorância magníficas por parte dele e do grupo, a história dos personagens precisando de conveniência após conveniência para justificar caminhos e situações que não faziam em nada além de arrastar o jogo. Nunca fui convencido pela força dos laços formados, apenas dos já existentes antes da minha chegada na narrativa.
As regiões iniciais de Besaid e Luca são muito mais interessantes do que o resto do jogo, talvez porque ainda apresentavam um potencial que esperava ser cumprido. Depois delas, temos, por região, uma série de 2-3 corredores lineares com temáticas diferentes - corredores de fogo cheios de lagartos e pedra flutuantes; corredores de gelo cheios de pedras flutuantes e lagartos; corredores de grama cheios de lagartos e plantas (!); e corredores gordinhos de areia cheios de lagartos e cachorros. O jogo ser tão linear e restritivo quanto Pokémon Sun and Moon certamente não é algo que eu esperava. Até a trilha sonora do jogo, comum ponto alto em todo FF, é dolorosamente repetitiva e arrastada - repetição que se torna abrasiva dado em conta o volume de random encounters com lagartos, pedras, plantas e cachorros que tem nesse jogo, e o fato que basicamente só toca uma única música em todos eles.
Porém, se tenho que escolher o meu maior incômodo, certamente foi o Blitzball. A julgar pelo material de marketing e o início do jogo, entendia que o esporte teria um impacto narrativo e ligação ao mundo muito mais interessante do que acabou tendo. O jogo abre com Blitzball, e o esporte é o laço em comum que liga Tidus, um estranho no ninho, ao povo de Spira - era de se esperar que seria algo que facilitaria sua integração em situação tão traumática, e o começo do jogo dá a entender isso. Imagine meu prazer ao descobrir que não só Blitzball é uma merda de joguinho, quanto está totalmente relegado ao MENU do jogo, sem nem aproveitar o esporte para contextualizar melhor a peregrinação de Yuna e a integração de Tidus em Spira - sendo que todo time de Blitzball tem a sua cidade representada dentro do jogo!! Já pensou se os torneios fossem acessados fisicamente através de mini-sidequests dentro de cada respectiva cidade, e fossem usados para dar mais carne ao mundo do jogo? Broxei com força depois dessa revelação.
Em suma, acabei não gostando de quase nada nesse jogo, e nem de um jeito “não foi pra mim”; achei ruim mesmo. As boss fights, que costumam tirar o suco máximo do sistema de combate, foram o ponto mais alto - por mais que tenham alguns golpes bullshit que te forçam a rever cutscenes inteiras toda vez que você toma.
A better future is possible, but a better past is not. Wake from the dream and be free...
There's a menace in Spira > Summon > Yōjimbō > Pay 8192 > No more menaces in Spira
The only other Final Fantasy title to rightfully sit at the top next to Final Fantasy VII. While some moments are lost to odd translations and odd voice acting, Final Fantasy X boasts one of the most memorable storylines of the franchise, an amazing cast of characters, and a distinct world that blended fantasy and sci-fi; all of these factors were partly responsible for bringing the Final Fantasy series' first sequel through Final Fantasy X-2. Combat is no longer real-time with a filling action bar, instead taking the turn-based approach to allow more time to strategize and take advantage of improvements and new abilities gained through a unique "Sphere Grid" level-up system. Nobuo Uematsu perfected his art in this game to give the series its best soundtrack, a position it still maintains even after almost ten more Final Fantasy games have come and gone.
One of the best JRPGs ever made, and still incredibly easy to play today despite its age.
One of the best JRPGs ever made, and still incredibly easy to play today despite its age.
"I was out of the frying pan...and into the fryer"
Final Fantasy X stands as a monumental achievement in the RPG genre, delivering a captivating world, deeply emotional storytelling, and a combat system that strikes a perfect balance between strategy and excitement. As a longtime fan of the series, I can confidently say that this entry has left an indelible mark on my gaming journey.
One of the game's most remarkable strengths lies in its narrative. From the very beginning, Final Fantasy X subverts expectations, immersing players in a world plagued by the enigmatic Sin and a complex, evolving religion. The journey of Tidus and his companions becomes more than just a quest to defeat a powerful adversary; it transforms into an exploration of faith, sacrifice, and existential questions that resonate on a profound level. The plot's intricate layers are masterfully woven, ensuring that players remain invested in every twist and turn.
Voice acting, which was relatively novel at the time of release, brought a new level of immersion to the game. While some may criticize the delivery, I found that the voices added depth and personality to the characters, making them feel more real and relatable. The emotional range conveyed through these performances lent additional weight to the heart-wrenching moments that define the game.
The Sphere Grid, a unique take on character progression, is a brilliant departure from traditional leveling systems. The customization it offers allows players to tailor their characters' growth to their preferred playstyle. While it might seem overwhelming at first, I found the Sphere Grid to be a rewarding and satisfying aspect of the game that encouraged strategic thinking and experimentation.
The world of Spira, with its diverse landscapes and meticulously designed cities, is a visual marvel. From the sun-drenched Besaid Island to the haunting Zanarkand Ruins, each location exudes a sense of wonder and discovery. This world-building adds a layer of realism that enhances the overall immersion and drives players to explore every nook and cranny.
Final Fantasy X's mini-games and side quests offer a delightful diversion from the main story. Whether it's blitzball, chocobo racing, or the lightning-dodging challenge, these activities showcase the game's versatility and depth, providing hours of entertainment beyond the main plot.
Above all, the relationship between Tidus and Yuna is the emotional core of the game. Their love story, while complex and at times tragic, is beautifully portrayed. Witnessing their growth, both individually and together, tugs at the heartstrings and adds a layer of authenticity to the game's themes of love and sacrifice.
In conclusion, Final Fantasy X is a masterwork that captures the essence of storytelling in gaming. Its narrative depth, memorable characters, stunning visuals, and innovative mechanics combine to create an unforgettable experience that has left an indelible mark on the RPG genre. As a fan, I am grateful for the impact this game has had on my gaming journey and its lasting place in the pantheon of gaming classics.
Final Fantasy X stands as a monumental achievement in the RPG genre, delivering a captivating world, deeply emotional storytelling, and a combat system that strikes a perfect balance between strategy and excitement. As a longtime fan of the series, I can confidently say that this entry has left an indelible mark on my gaming journey.
One of the game's most remarkable strengths lies in its narrative. From the very beginning, Final Fantasy X subverts expectations, immersing players in a world plagued by the enigmatic Sin and a complex, evolving religion. The journey of Tidus and his companions becomes more than just a quest to defeat a powerful adversary; it transforms into an exploration of faith, sacrifice, and existential questions that resonate on a profound level. The plot's intricate layers are masterfully woven, ensuring that players remain invested in every twist and turn.
Voice acting, which was relatively novel at the time of release, brought a new level of immersion to the game. While some may criticize the delivery, I found that the voices added depth and personality to the characters, making them feel more real and relatable. The emotional range conveyed through these performances lent additional weight to the heart-wrenching moments that define the game.
The Sphere Grid, a unique take on character progression, is a brilliant departure from traditional leveling systems. The customization it offers allows players to tailor their characters' growth to their preferred playstyle. While it might seem overwhelming at first, I found the Sphere Grid to be a rewarding and satisfying aspect of the game that encouraged strategic thinking and experimentation.
The world of Spira, with its diverse landscapes and meticulously designed cities, is a visual marvel. From the sun-drenched Besaid Island to the haunting Zanarkand Ruins, each location exudes a sense of wonder and discovery. This world-building adds a layer of realism that enhances the overall immersion and drives players to explore every nook and cranny.
Final Fantasy X's mini-games and side quests offer a delightful diversion from the main story. Whether it's blitzball, chocobo racing, or the lightning-dodging challenge, these activities showcase the game's versatility and depth, providing hours of entertainment beyond the main plot.
Above all, the relationship between Tidus and Yuna is the emotional core of the game. Their love story, while complex and at times tragic, is beautifully portrayed. Witnessing their growth, both individually and together, tugs at the heartstrings and adds a layer of authenticity to the game's themes of love and sacrifice.
In conclusion, Final Fantasy X is a masterwork that captures the essence of storytelling in gaming. Its narrative depth, memorable characters, stunning visuals, and innovative mechanics combine to create an unforgettable experience that has left an indelible mark on the RPG genre. As a fan, I am grateful for the impact this game has had on my gaming journey and its lasting place in the pantheon of gaming classics.
Definitely one of the better Final Fantasy titles, if not the best currently in my eyes. Trust me, bro, I've played four of them so I know exactly what I'm talking about.
This game got that old fashioned turn-based good good that just hits the spot. It's so weird to think this was the last Final Fantasy to have that sort of gameplay. Really makes you look at Final Fantasy VII Remake and go, "But why....?" Don't get me wrong, the plot here is borderline unhinged and the characters are their own batch of JRPG annoying. The main character is such an absolute shitter until you realize he's the most relatable character you've ever played in your life. (THANKS DAD.)
Loads of challenges in here for the most naughty and daring, it'll consume your whole life for 3 months, but it is optional so don't do it all if you don't want to.
I always recommend this Final Fantasy first to anyone who's never played the series, it's got the perfect graphics without the old pixel look, that good turn based combat that doesn't exist anymore, a bright colorful aesthetic that's hiding a darker, pretty existentially dreadful plot that would keep someone new completely hooked.
There's something about this one that just gives you all the nostalgia, even when playing it for the first time in 2023. Probably that bangin' soundtrack and all the beachy vibes.
The Sphere Grid is massive but not the worst level up system in the series. However, the mini-games in this game are the worst I've ever played, minus Blitzball. BLITZBALL BAYBEEE, LET'S GOOOOO.
This game got that old fashioned turn-based good good that just hits the spot. It's so weird to think this was the last Final Fantasy to have that sort of gameplay. Really makes you look at Final Fantasy VII Remake and go, "But why....?" Don't get me wrong, the plot here is borderline unhinged and the characters are their own batch of JRPG annoying. The main character is such an absolute shitter until you realize he's the most relatable character you've ever played in your life. (THANKS DAD.)
Loads of challenges in here for the most naughty and daring, it'll consume your whole life for 3 months, but it is optional so don't do it all if you don't want to.
I always recommend this Final Fantasy first to anyone who's never played the series, it's got the perfect graphics without the old pixel look, that good turn based combat that doesn't exist anymore, a bright colorful aesthetic that's hiding a darker, pretty existentially dreadful plot that would keep someone new completely hooked.
There's something about this one that just gives you all the nostalgia, even when playing it for the first time in 2023. Probably that bangin' soundtrack and all the beachy vibes.
The Sphere Grid is massive but not the worst level up system in the series. However, the mini-games in this game are the worst I've ever played, minus Blitzball. BLITZBALL BAYBEEE, LET'S GOOOOO.
On my Twitter account, I mused about not having the drive to write about an in-depth RPG with a lot of ground to cover. Welp, as it turns out, my brain likes putting my thoughts into words whether I like it or not. So here, a very disjointed set of points on what I thought of FFX, my first Final Fantasy.
STORY THOUGHTS:
People believe in the Fayth because they desire something to believe in, to work towards and better themselves. They work to absolve themselves of Sin, even if it hasn't affected them personally. Even if they're only inheriting the Sin of the generation before them.
That's what I find so fascinating about Tidus's presence in the story. He has no stake in these preconcieved notions, and while his actions are frequently impulsive and self-indulgent, he's only doing what he believes is right. From what I've inferred, I think Tidus gets a bad rap. He can be a bit obnoxious with how energetic he is (not helped by his VA also being responsible for voicing Johnny Test), but it's juxtaposed with how he gives a retrospective monologue to the player about what he's thinking. It helps me understand him better, and form a strong emotional connection.
People joke about Wakka being racist (which he totally is lmao), but being completely devout can give someone tunnel vision to other perspectives; moreso when there's already bad blood from previous experiences. He gets his comeuppance though; the man has his entire worldview overkilled multiple times over the course of Yuna's pilgrimage. Cut him some slack.
Auron goes further than being a simple mentor figure by having a personal history with Tidus's old man, having been on the pilgrimage that brought the previous Calm. He knows this world's history, he was a part of it. He also hits enemies like a truck. Seeking out the holo-spheres he left behind gives him, Jecht, and Braska some much-needed screen time. This is particularly true for Jecht, who feels particularly underdeveloped if you don't see his spheres (most of which I didn't see until I did a much shorter "victory lap" playthrough on my Vita).
Yuna has the strongest resolve out of anyone in the whole cast (as far as I'm concerned, this is her story). Which is why it hurt to see her gradually being swayed by Tidus's ideals. As she marches towards a fate that she inherited from her father, she doesn't have the heart to tell Tidus what awaits her at journey's end. Tidus gives her the desire to protect the people closest to her, which only makes the prospect of letting go more difficult.
Rikku and the Al Bhed are an interesting case of worshipping the same fayth and retaining similar values, but approaching those beliefs in a way that seems blasphemous to everyone else. They insist on using the forbidden Machina, tools that supposedly brought Sin into their world to begin with. They seek a way forward that's not tied to the teachings, as opposed to the Guado, who just want this cycle to continue forever.
On the topic of the Guado, I wish that Seymour felt like more of an actual character. He refuses to die so often that he reached "cartoon villain" status pretty quickly, which overwrote the diplomatic perspective of keeping peace in Spira. The idea that Yuna marrying Seymour could being peace, no matter how performative, is an interesting topic that doesn't get dwelled on for very long due to Seymour being a power-hungry creepo.
I don't remember much about Lulu and Kimarhi. The latter doesn't get too much development until near the very end of the game, and the former just comes off as "the adult in the room". Lulu is a top-tier design though. Yes, the excessive quantity of belts is completely necessary. We do not question Nomura's vision in this household.
AS A GAME:
-Yuna is my favorite character, Summoner is up there as one of my favorite RPG classes I've ever experienced. Building up Aeon overdrive meters and unleashing them one after another is a really cheap tactic that I used to cheese a boss or two, but I'm also really happy that the game gives you the freedom to just do that.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, I'm so sorry Kimarhi, but I found no use for you whatsoever during my journey. Maybe you're better after your entire sphere grid has been filled, but that wasn't happening anytime soon.
-Being able to quickswap between characters on your turn opens the door to a cavalcade of creative strategies, and works phenomenally with this game's role-based combat/enemy matchups.
-I feel mixed on the Sphere Grid system. I'm pretty much used to having RPGs dole out the stats for me when I level up. It takes a while, but after a certain point, the beauty of the sphere grid begins to shine through. As long as you have the right resources, the game basically gives you the opportunity to branch off and build characters however you want. Each character is initially designed to fit into a certain role, but it can be fun and useful to have characters acquire skills that they wouldn't have otherwise. But god damn, you spend a lot of time just manually selecting every little thing on the board. This is a cool twist on levelling up, and yet I don't think I want to ever see it again outside of this game.
-I like the dynamic camera angles of the battles. I see what they did there when they sometimes frame it like a classic FF battle. That being said, constantly changing camera angles also cause the selection controls to constantly change. I'm constantly having to guess whether pushing a certain direction is going to move to another enemy or highlight my party members instead. Drove me absolutely insane for all of my 55 hour playthrough and beyond.
-This has been a constant since their PS1 FMV days, but Square's CGI team is fucking cracked. The humans can look a tad uncanny, but the environmental design inside and outside of cutscenes is nothing short of timeless. It also rules how they near-seamlessly swap between in-engine gameplay and FMVs for certain scenes. Segments like them flying in on the airship to crash the wedding at Bevelle will always make my jaw hit the floor.
-I love what Blitzball represents story-wise. I've never been a big sports guy (being required to play pep band in high school can do that to you), but having a pasttime that lets people of different backgrounds put aside their differences for the sake of friendly competition is good, especially when it helps the people of Spira take their minds off their woes.
HOWEVER.
FFX introduces Blitzball with a (thankfully skippable) infodump tutorial, only to make your first match one that's almost unwinnable by design. That's one of the worst impressions left on me by, well, anything. That's not even taking into consideration the long stretch of non-Blitzball gameplay between the tutorial and actually playing said real match. You can play it at almost any save point, including right after Sin wipes out an entire army of Yevon, bodies still toasty on the beach! Have some tact, FFX! Needless to say, I didn't touch Blitzball once after its introduction on my initial playthrough. At least the music goes pretty hard.
-The Cloister of Trials sections just kinda suck. Slow trial-and-error puzzle solving using bullshit logic. Just a lot of putting balls to the walls. I sure do love looking up video guides for things like this, only to see view counts as high as 600k on the more obtuse ones.
MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS
-I'm glad I played the NTSC PS2 release because getting blocked off or blindsided by superbosses at every turn during the postgame in the PAL/Remaster versions of the game actually sounds like hell.
-Love the coastal world design. Personal favorite area has to be Lightning Plains, partly for the music, and partly because I think its gimmick is funny. (No, I'm not dodging 200 lightning bolts in a row) Macalania Woods is probably a very close second.
-Collecting the Al Bhed Primers and gradually being able to fill in the blanks of what the Al Bhed are saying is extremely cool. It nails that feeling of being a stranger in Spira really early on too, since a group of Al Bhed are the first humans you meet.
-For how hard it's been memed on the internet, discovering that the "Tidus laughing" scene is actually really emotional was a nice surprise. Even if I do still like it as a meme, without context.
-No one in this game says "Tidus" out loud, although there is a canon pronunciation. I prefer "tide-us", simply because most of FFX's locales are coastal or aquatic, I think it fits quite nicely. If you call him "tee-dus" then I'm gonna sacrifice you to become the next Final Aeon.
STORY THOUGHTS:
People believe in the Fayth because they desire something to believe in, to work towards and better themselves. They work to absolve themselves of Sin, even if it hasn't affected them personally. Even if they're only inheriting the Sin of the generation before them.
That's what I find so fascinating about Tidus's presence in the story. He has no stake in these preconcieved notions, and while his actions are frequently impulsive and self-indulgent, he's only doing what he believes is right. From what I've inferred, I think Tidus gets a bad rap. He can be a bit obnoxious with how energetic he is (not helped by his VA also being responsible for voicing Johnny Test), but it's juxtaposed with how he gives a retrospective monologue to the player about what he's thinking. It helps me understand him better, and form a strong emotional connection.
People joke about Wakka being racist (which he totally is lmao), but being completely devout can give someone tunnel vision to other perspectives; moreso when there's already bad blood from previous experiences. He gets his comeuppance though; the man has his entire worldview overkilled multiple times over the course of Yuna's pilgrimage. Cut him some slack.
Auron goes further than being a simple mentor figure by having a personal history with Tidus's old man, having been on the pilgrimage that brought the previous Calm. He knows this world's history, he was a part of it. He also hits enemies like a truck. Seeking out the holo-spheres he left behind gives him, Jecht, and Braska some much-needed screen time. This is particularly true for Jecht, who feels particularly underdeveloped if you don't see his spheres (most of which I didn't see until I did a much shorter "victory lap" playthrough on my Vita).
Yuna has the strongest resolve out of anyone in the whole cast (as far as I'm concerned, this is her story). Which is why it hurt to see her gradually being swayed by Tidus's ideals. As she marches towards a fate that she inherited from her father, she doesn't have the heart to tell Tidus what awaits her at journey's end. Tidus gives her the desire to protect the people closest to her, which only makes the prospect of letting go more difficult.
Rikku and the Al Bhed are an interesting case of worshipping the same fayth and retaining similar values, but approaching those beliefs in a way that seems blasphemous to everyone else. They insist on using the forbidden Machina, tools that supposedly brought Sin into their world to begin with. They seek a way forward that's not tied to the teachings, as opposed to the Guado, who just want this cycle to continue forever.
On the topic of the Guado, I wish that Seymour felt like more of an actual character. He refuses to die so often that he reached "cartoon villain" status pretty quickly, which overwrote the diplomatic perspective of keeping peace in Spira. The idea that Yuna marrying Seymour could being peace, no matter how performative, is an interesting topic that doesn't get dwelled on for very long due to Seymour being a power-hungry creepo.
I don't remember much about Lulu and Kimarhi. The latter doesn't get too much development until near the very end of the game, and the former just comes off as "the adult in the room". Lulu is a top-tier design though. Yes, the excessive quantity of belts is completely necessary. We do not question Nomura's vision in this household.
AS A GAME:
-Yuna is my favorite character, Summoner is up there as one of my favorite RPG classes I've ever experienced. Building up Aeon overdrive meters and unleashing them one after another is a really cheap tactic that I used to cheese a boss or two, but I'm also really happy that the game gives you the freedom to just do that.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, I'm so sorry Kimarhi, but I found no use for you whatsoever during my journey. Maybe you're better after your entire sphere grid has been filled, but that wasn't happening anytime soon.
-Being able to quickswap between characters on your turn opens the door to a cavalcade of creative strategies, and works phenomenally with this game's role-based combat/enemy matchups.
-I feel mixed on the Sphere Grid system. I'm pretty much used to having RPGs dole out the stats for me when I level up. It takes a while, but after a certain point, the beauty of the sphere grid begins to shine through. As long as you have the right resources, the game basically gives you the opportunity to branch off and build characters however you want. Each character is initially designed to fit into a certain role, but it can be fun and useful to have characters acquire skills that they wouldn't have otherwise. But god damn, you spend a lot of time just manually selecting every little thing on the board. This is a cool twist on levelling up, and yet I don't think I want to ever see it again outside of this game.
-I like the dynamic camera angles of the battles. I see what they did there when they sometimes frame it like a classic FF battle. That being said, constantly changing camera angles also cause the selection controls to constantly change. I'm constantly having to guess whether pushing a certain direction is going to move to another enemy or highlight my party members instead. Drove me absolutely insane for all of my 55 hour playthrough and beyond.
-This has been a constant since their PS1 FMV days, but Square's CGI team is fucking cracked. The humans can look a tad uncanny, but the environmental design inside and outside of cutscenes is nothing short of timeless. It also rules how they near-seamlessly swap between in-engine gameplay and FMVs for certain scenes. Segments like them flying in on the airship to crash the wedding at Bevelle will always make my jaw hit the floor.
-I love what Blitzball represents story-wise. I've never been a big sports guy (being required to play pep band in high school can do that to you), but having a pasttime that lets people of different backgrounds put aside their differences for the sake of friendly competition is good, especially when it helps the people of Spira take their minds off their woes.
HOWEVER.
FFX introduces Blitzball with a (thankfully skippable) infodump tutorial, only to make your first match one that's almost unwinnable by design. That's one of the worst impressions left on me by, well, anything. That's not even taking into consideration the long stretch of non-Blitzball gameplay between the tutorial and actually playing said real match. You can play it at almost any save point, including right after Sin wipes out an entire army of Yevon, bodies still toasty on the beach! Have some tact, FFX! Needless to say, I didn't touch Blitzball once after its introduction on my initial playthrough. At least the music goes pretty hard.
-The Cloister of Trials sections just kinda suck. Slow trial-and-error puzzle solving using bullshit logic. Just a lot of putting balls to the walls. I sure do love looking up video guides for things like this, only to see view counts as high as 600k on the more obtuse ones.
MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS
-I'm glad I played the NTSC PS2 release because getting blocked off or blindsided by superbosses at every turn during the postgame in the PAL/Remaster versions of the game actually sounds like hell.
-Love the coastal world design. Personal favorite area has to be Lightning Plains, partly for the music, and partly because I think its gimmick is funny. (
-Collecting the Al Bhed Primers and gradually being able to fill in the blanks of what the Al Bhed are saying is extremely cool. It nails that feeling of being a stranger in Spira really early on too, since a group of Al Bhed are the first humans you meet.
-For how hard it's been memed on the internet, discovering that the "Tidus laughing" scene is actually really emotional was a nice surprise. Even if I do still like it as a meme, without context.
-No one in this game says "Tidus" out loud, although there is a canon pronunciation. I prefer "tide-us", simply because most of FFX's locales are coastal or aquatic, I think it fits quite nicely. If you call him "tee-dus" then I'm gonna sacrifice you to become the next Final Aeon.
Final Fantasy X is the best Final Fantasy to me.
It almost feels like going on vacation. The world is full of memorable places and they are special enough to give you this "vacation in another part of the world"-feeling.
The battle system is maybe the best JRPGs ever had. It works well, is fast and just complex enough to keep you entertained throughout.
But is also has some downsides. The characters. Yes, you heard me right. The characters.
I think Tidus is annoying. 70% of the things he says annoy me. His english voice almost gives me headaches.
Yuna is the emo girl (for a reason). This is tiring.
Wakka is (except Kimahri) the only character with slang. THE ONLY. Why? And his relationship with Lulu is just bad writing. Why would she (rational & intelligent) want dumb and silly Wakka as a partner? The brother of her passed away husband. So stupid and clearly there because of the silliness JRPGs use to have now and then.
And then we have Seymour. The "bad" archetype of JRPG-characters with his fancy hair and his almost feminine touch.
Rikku is loud, squeaky and a bit annoying, too.
Auron and Kimahri are fine with their oneliners.
And to top it all: Over here in germany we have english voices & subtitles translated from the japanese version of the game. So what they say and what the subtitle reads are different. Even names are different. This is bad. It pulls you out of the scene and out of the story.
Yeah.. and then there is Biltzball.. by far the worst side activity in every Final Fantasy Game. It's slow, sluggish and no fun at all.
But "enough" (as Auron would say) complained. FFX is aside from the reasons above maybe the best JRPG there is. And sometimes I ask myself why they can not replicate the "vacation"-feeling I had with FFX: Because there is only one FFX.One Final Fantasy they got the world "right". At least in my opinion.
It almost feels like going on vacation. The world is full of memorable places and they are special enough to give you this "vacation in another part of the world"-feeling.
The battle system is maybe the best JRPGs ever had. It works well, is fast and just complex enough to keep you entertained throughout.
But is also has some downsides. The characters. Yes, you heard me right. The characters.
I think Tidus is annoying. 70% of the things he says annoy me. His english voice almost gives me headaches.
Yuna is the emo girl (for a reason). This is tiring.
Wakka is (except Kimahri) the only character with slang. THE ONLY. Why? And his relationship with Lulu is just bad writing. Why would she (rational & intelligent) want dumb and silly Wakka as a partner? The brother of her passed away husband. So stupid and clearly there because of the silliness JRPGs use to have now and then.
And then we have Seymour. The "bad" archetype of JRPG-characters with his fancy hair and his almost feminine touch.
Rikku is loud, squeaky and a bit annoying, too.
Auron and Kimahri are fine with their oneliners.
And to top it all: Over here in germany we have english voices & subtitles translated from the japanese version of the game. So what they say and what the subtitle reads are different. Even names are different. This is bad. It pulls you out of the scene and out of the story.
Yeah.. and then there is Biltzball.. by far the worst side activity in every Final Fantasy Game. It's slow, sluggish and no fun at all.
But "enough" (as Auron would say) complained. FFX is aside from the reasons above maybe the best JRPG there is. And sometimes I ask myself why they can not replicate the "vacation"-feeling I had with FFX: Because there is only one FFX.One Final Fantasy they got the world "right". At least in my opinion.
Final Fantasy X will always be a masterpiece. The characters, world building, and music are absolutely perfect and the game itself just brings forward so many wonderful, nostalgic memories for me.
Expectations are funny things. They're often hard to meet, even harder to meaningfully subvert, and very easy to poke fun at. When someone is disappointed with a game, it's never the game's fault; it just wasn't what they expected and they need to learn to accept that. And if the game is a universally acclaimed masterpiece? Well, they just didn't get it. And I very much did not 'get' Final Fantasy X.
That said, there are quite a few things I liked about the game. For one, the visuals hold up incredibly well. Even though I technically played the remastered edition with enhanced graphics, the aesthetics are phenomenal over 2 decades later. The music is also very nice, with each piece being nice to listen to and a good complement to its place in-game. Speaking of sounds, the voice acting's pretty good, and not just for the time. Even in its awkwardness, all the VAs give convincing performances that fit the characters well (insert line about the laughing scene being taken out of context that you've heard in every other review of FFX). Finally, I enjoy a lot of the core battle mechanics. They're easy to understand, yet have high strategic potential, and the game's boss fights do a pretty good job of bringing that potential out.
Unfortunately, the base combat mechanics are heavily bogged down by everything surrounding them. While the bosses are pretty varied and interesting, the bulk of random encounters are anything but. Up until the endgame, 95% of basic enemies are fatally weak to one specific character, turning that potentially interesting combat into a cavalcade of glorified rock-paper-scissors matches. Granted, some enemies later on do require a bit more strategy, as do some of the bosses, but the game also limits the strategic potential in a lot of these fights. Many stronger enemies and all the bosses are immune to one or more status effects, making interesting abilities like Tidus' slow, Wakka's ailments, and Auron's breaks completely useless. On top of all that, the random battles are painfully slow thanks to what is easily the game's worst design choice: Only party members who participate in battles gain EXP. In other words, playing optimally means switching out every party member, having them defend, and then finally defeating the enemies with the one party member they're weak to, making battles uninteresting and a slog.
Now, the combat being uninteresting might be forgivable if progression was fun, but this is another area where the game fumbles the ball. At first glance, the sphere grid is a behemoth of customization: a sprawling skill forest with tons of active abilities, passive abilities, and stat boosts available to every party member. Of course, looks can be deceiving, as a glance at the grid's actual structure reveals how linear it truly is before the endgame (I know the international sphere grid improves on this, but I'm reviewing the game I played). But hey, my favorite game of all time is Xenoblade Chronicles 2, a game which takes about 20 hours to unlock the full scope of its (Absolutely fantastic) combat system. It's perfectly fine if the sphere grid takes a long time to open up, right? Well, that would be the case...if it was actually fun to use in the endgame. In another painful misstep, the late-game alternate paths on the sphere grid are locked behind incredibly rare items, and by the time you actually reach the ends of characters' sphere grid paths, you're already at the final boss. The equipment modifiers, another potentially fun source of customization, require those same materials, often in far greater capacity, just to give an ability to one character. Ergo, you can only really customize your characters by grinding for long periods of time in the endgame, either by fighting the same battles for hours on end, or by playing minigames.
Speaking of which, I've often heard people defend FFX's constant string of battles and 'hallway simulator' by pointing to its variety in gameplay. With how critical I've been of the game so far, I surprisingly don't really mind the hallways. I don't like the things you do in the hallways or the game's random encounter system (If you seriously prefer those to on-screen encounters I can only assume you're some kind of masochist), but by themselves, they're...fine. If nothing else, they're pretty. I do, however, strongly dislike the breaks FFX takes from its constant string of fighting. The temples are slow, boring puzzle segments with arbitrary mechanics that, at most, amount to small annoyances rather than fun diversions (although I did have some fun finding the bonus chests). The sidequests provide much larger, albeit optional, annoyances that gate far more of the game's progression than they should. The minigames are uninteresting at best and frustrating at worst, with the most notable one, Blitzball, being a simple case of "have the bigger number and hope the AI doesn't fuck up". The extra bosses, much like the customization, often make you capture multiple of every enemy in the game to unlock them, which leads to...more battling. I'll admit I liked exploring the towns, though. It was nice getting to see the different visuals, talk to locals, and learn more about the world and story.
And on that topic, I don't have much to say about the story. The characters are cool, if a bit shallow. The romance is nice, if very shallow. The actual plot is kind of interesting, if weirdly paced and a little too dependent on Seymour. It's good, just not one of the best things I've ever seen. And that's the thing: despite how much I've criticized it, I like Final Fantasy X. I just think I'd like it a lot more if I didn't expect to love it. I've seen countless people hail the plot as a subversive epic, the romance as the greatest love story ever told, the sphere grid as an unmatched progression system, the combat as timeless, and the game as one of the best JRPG's ever. Meanwhile, I simply scratch my head and wonder if we played the same game. Is it nostalgia? Am I just crazy? Or did I just expect too much? Whatever the case, I'm glad I at least played FFX. I regret playing it for an entire summer, but I'm grateful for the experience, despite my gripes. Because if nothing else, it taught me the internet can be wrong about things. Maybe I should stop believing the hype, keep my expectations in check, and realize that I do 'get' it. I'm just not a big fan.
That said, there are quite a few things I liked about the game. For one, the visuals hold up incredibly well. Even though I technically played the remastered edition with enhanced graphics, the aesthetics are phenomenal over 2 decades later. The music is also very nice, with each piece being nice to listen to and a good complement to its place in-game. Speaking of sounds, the voice acting's pretty good, and not just for the time. Even in its awkwardness, all the VAs give convincing performances that fit the characters well (insert line about the laughing scene being taken out of context that you've heard in every other review of FFX). Finally, I enjoy a lot of the core battle mechanics. They're easy to understand, yet have high strategic potential, and the game's boss fights do a pretty good job of bringing that potential out.
Unfortunately, the base combat mechanics are heavily bogged down by everything surrounding them. While the bosses are pretty varied and interesting, the bulk of random encounters are anything but. Up until the endgame, 95% of basic enemies are fatally weak to one specific character, turning that potentially interesting combat into a cavalcade of glorified rock-paper-scissors matches. Granted, some enemies later on do require a bit more strategy, as do some of the bosses, but the game also limits the strategic potential in a lot of these fights. Many stronger enemies and all the bosses are immune to one or more status effects, making interesting abilities like Tidus' slow, Wakka's ailments, and Auron's breaks completely useless. On top of all that, the random battles are painfully slow thanks to what is easily the game's worst design choice: Only party members who participate in battles gain EXP. In other words, playing optimally means switching out every party member, having them defend, and then finally defeating the enemies with the one party member they're weak to, making battles uninteresting and a slog.
Now, the combat being uninteresting might be forgivable if progression was fun, but this is another area where the game fumbles the ball. At first glance, the sphere grid is a behemoth of customization: a sprawling skill forest with tons of active abilities, passive abilities, and stat boosts available to every party member. Of course, looks can be deceiving, as a glance at the grid's actual structure reveals how linear it truly is before the endgame (I know the international sphere grid improves on this, but I'm reviewing the game I played). But hey, my favorite game of all time is Xenoblade Chronicles 2, a game which takes about 20 hours to unlock the full scope of its (Absolutely fantastic) combat system. It's perfectly fine if the sphere grid takes a long time to open up, right? Well, that would be the case...if it was actually fun to use in the endgame. In another painful misstep, the late-game alternate paths on the sphere grid are locked behind incredibly rare items, and by the time you actually reach the ends of characters' sphere grid paths, you're already at the final boss. The equipment modifiers, another potentially fun source of customization, require those same materials, often in far greater capacity, just to give an ability to one character. Ergo, you can only really customize your characters by grinding for long periods of time in the endgame, either by fighting the same battles for hours on end, or by playing minigames.
Speaking of which, I've often heard people defend FFX's constant string of battles and 'hallway simulator' by pointing to its variety in gameplay. With how critical I've been of the game so far, I surprisingly don't really mind the hallways. I don't like the things you do in the hallways or the game's random encounter system (If you seriously prefer those to on-screen encounters I can only assume you're some kind of masochist), but by themselves, they're...fine. If nothing else, they're pretty. I do, however, strongly dislike the breaks FFX takes from its constant string of fighting. The temples are slow, boring puzzle segments with arbitrary mechanics that, at most, amount to small annoyances rather than fun diversions (although I did have some fun finding the bonus chests). The sidequests provide much larger, albeit optional, annoyances that gate far more of the game's progression than they should. The minigames are uninteresting at best and frustrating at worst, with the most notable one, Blitzball, being a simple case of "have the bigger number and hope the AI doesn't fuck up". The extra bosses, much like the customization, often make you capture multiple of every enemy in the game to unlock them, which leads to...more battling. I'll admit I liked exploring the towns, though. It was nice getting to see the different visuals, talk to locals, and learn more about the world and story.
And on that topic, I don't have much to say about the story. The characters are cool, if a bit shallow. The romance is nice, if very shallow. The actual plot is kind of interesting, if weirdly paced and a little too dependent on Seymour. It's good, just not one of the best things I've ever seen. And that's the thing: despite how much I've criticized it, I like Final Fantasy X. I just think I'd like it a lot more if I didn't expect to love it. I've seen countless people hail the plot as a subversive epic, the romance as the greatest love story ever told, the sphere grid as an unmatched progression system, the combat as timeless, and the game as one of the best JRPG's ever. Meanwhile, I simply scratch my head and wonder if we played the same game. Is it nostalgia? Am I just crazy? Or did I just expect too much? Whatever the case, I'm glad I at least played FFX. I regret playing it for an entire summer, but I'm grateful for the experience, despite my gripes. Because if nothing else, it taught me the internet can be wrong about things. Maybe I should stop believing the hype, keep my expectations in check, and realize that I do 'get' it. I'm just not a big fan.
60 hours long jrpg that makes you go through an incredible journey to warn you to not pick fights with your dad cause he will always beat the shit out of you
One of my favorite battle systems ever. Everything about this is just charming as all hell. And by god, that ending never fails to make me emotional.
“Everyone has lost something precious. Everyone has lost homes, dreams, and friends. We can make new homes for ourselves, and new dreams. But the people and friends we have lost, the dreams that have faded. Never forget them.”
In 2000, with the Playstation 2 already released, Squaresoft released Final Fantasy IX for the Playstation 1. A grand adventure full of obtuse side content and immaculate presentation, FF9 felt like the culmination of generations of experience making these games. A year later, Final Fantasy X arrived for the Playstation 2, beginning a new era for the franchise that took all those lessons learned and used them to pivot the franchise into an exciting new direction. One that clearly owed thematically and structurally to its predecessors, but that wasn’t afraid to excise and build until it felt so much like its own thing that a new Final Fantasy was able to feel truly fresh. And it paid off in spades, because Final Fantasy X is maybe the single truest 3D masterpiece of the franchise.
The key differences with FFX and what came before it lie in the nitty gritty of its gameplay approach. Most notably, the ATB system that had been iterated on so prominently for the last several entries has been entirely replaced by a more traditional turn based system. Characters get EXP for participating in battle, but you can only have three in battle at a time. Every character has a specific use-case, and where the game brings it all together is in its switching system. You can switch an active character with anyone else in your roster on their turn, and the switched character will still get to act. This is brilliant, and battles will often center around figuring out when a certain character needs to use a specific maneuver against an enemy and swapping around to capitalize. Using Tidus to cast Slow on flying enemies that can petrify your party, then swapping over to Wakka who specializes in taking down flying enemies and taking them all out before they can move. It’s a really snappy system and it feels very good to play. After the molasses slowness of FF9’s take on ATB, FFX feels like a colossal readjustment for the better in every conceivable way.
The other significant changes are with the leveling system and the gear system. I won’t go as in-depth with these mechanics, just know that it’s all in the service of allowing the player to truly customize their experience. Traditional level ups have been replaced with an insane gigantic skill tree, with each level giving a character a single move along the tree. This allows you to pick and choose how you want to progress your characters - make your white mage the strongest physical attacker on the team, turn your nimble protagonist into a Vivi-tier black mage, do whatever the hell you want. Coupled with the new gear system, which completely removes stats from equipment and focuses entirely on passive buffs, mastery and excessive play can allow you to essentially turn your entire party into invincible demigods that turn every fight into a joke. But it’s a long journey there.
Narratively, Final Fantasy X centers around a pilgrimage. A few great characters, traveling together on a journey to a specific destination, making a few necessary stops along the way. FFX’s most obvious difference in world design from the games that came before is its linearity, but because of this narrative structure it feels kind of hard to fault it. Of course you’re going down straight linear paths - you are doing a tried and true journey and following in the footsteps of your forebears. It’s definitely an early mark against the game regardless, but I think this narrative conceit is the reason people are less harsh on FFX for this as opposed to, say, FFXIII. The game also does a great job pacing itself, every long linear path is usually punctuated with some sort of switch-up, whether that be a series of intense boss fights, a dungeon, a puzzle sequence, or some awful underwater soccer. There’s enough variety to keep things fresh despite the repetition of its general level progression, which is a huge boon that helps wipe away some of the disappointment from the lack of freedom.
Towards the very end of the game, it opens up substantially. Once you can go wherever you want whenever you want, suddenly there are a million things to do. Many of them are annoying, many of them are obtuse, and many of them are difficult. I didn’t do all of them, but I did go through the hassle of acquiring everybody’s Celestial Weapon and all of the Aeons. And while dodging 200 lightning bolts and playing like six hours of Blitzball did suck, that’s kind of… the fun? It’s an impossible feeling to describe, but there’s something about overcoming an obtuse and ridiculous challenge and getting rewarded by becoming so strong you can sleep through endgame superbosses that makes you feel incredibly accomplished. It’s sort of like the game’s own narrative structure - journey through something painful to experience a relaxing calm.
What a wonderful journey it is, too. Final Fantasy X tells possibly the single greatest story in the franchise, with a unique and well thought out world populated with interesting characters. Not all of them get tons of development, but they don’t have to. They all serve a role in both battle and the group dynamic, and they’re great to have around. When they do have a role in the narrative - and they all do - it’s always done with tenderness and weight. And I think that’s the best way to describe the game’s story and script: tender and heavy. So many great individual lines, individual moments, individual scenes. The early PS2-era animation and voice acting cruft largely wears off early on, so by the time you’re getting to the seriously impactful scenes you are all in, and the actors are doing great work. Tidus especially is given a lot of work to do, and actor James Arnold Taylor is able to pull it all off. From confident braggadocio to covert sadness to out and out despair, he’s able to make it all work. Even the infamous laugh scene works well in context and is called back to many hours later in a way that felt genuinely moving. I have no complaints about the narrative, which trucks along at a pretty good pace and ends perfectly. No notes.
So what we have here is a Final Fantasy for fans and first timers, one that reinvents so many aspects of the series while maintaining the core of its soul. Through its excellent storytelling, phenomenal soundtrack, and deep gameplay it marks itself as possibly the single greatest rpg of its era and easily one of the top Final Fantasy games.
I never want to play Blitzball again.
In 2000, with the Playstation 2 already released, Squaresoft released Final Fantasy IX for the Playstation 1. A grand adventure full of obtuse side content and immaculate presentation, FF9 felt like the culmination of generations of experience making these games. A year later, Final Fantasy X arrived for the Playstation 2, beginning a new era for the franchise that took all those lessons learned and used them to pivot the franchise into an exciting new direction. One that clearly owed thematically and structurally to its predecessors, but that wasn’t afraid to excise and build until it felt so much like its own thing that a new Final Fantasy was able to feel truly fresh. And it paid off in spades, because Final Fantasy X is maybe the single truest 3D masterpiece of the franchise.
The key differences with FFX and what came before it lie in the nitty gritty of its gameplay approach. Most notably, the ATB system that had been iterated on so prominently for the last several entries has been entirely replaced by a more traditional turn based system. Characters get EXP for participating in battle, but you can only have three in battle at a time. Every character has a specific use-case, and where the game brings it all together is in its switching system. You can switch an active character with anyone else in your roster on their turn, and the switched character will still get to act. This is brilliant, and battles will often center around figuring out when a certain character needs to use a specific maneuver against an enemy and swapping around to capitalize. Using Tidus to cast Slow on flying enemies that can petrify your party, then swapping over to Wakka who specializes in taking down flying enemies and taking them all out before they can move. It’s a really snappy system and it feels very good to play. After the molasses slowness of FF9’s take on ATB, FFX feels like a colossal readjustment for the better in every conceivable way.
The other significant changes are with the leveling system and the gear system. I won’t go as in-depth with these mechanics, just know that it’s all in the service of allowing the player to truly customize their experience. Traditional level ups have been replaced with an insane gigantic skill tree, with each level giving a character a single move along the tree. This allows you to pick and choose how you want to progress your characters - make your white mage the strongest physical attacker on the team, turn your nimble protagonist into a Vivi-tier black mage, do whatever the hell you want. Coupled with the new gear system, which completely removes stats from equipment and focuses entirely on passive buffs, mastery and excessive play can allow you to essentially turn your entire party into invincible demigods that turn every fight into a joke. But it’s a long journey there.
Narratively, Final Fantasy X centers around a pilgrimage. A few great characters, traveling together on a journey to a specific destination, making a few necessary stops along the way. FFX’s most obvious difference in world design from the games that came before is its linearity, but because of this narrative structure it feels kind of hard to fault it. Of course you’re going down straight linear paths - you are doing a tried and true journey and following in the footsteps of your forebears. It’s definitely an early mark against the game regardless, but I think this narrative conceit is the reason people are less harsh on FFX for this as opposed to, say, FFXIII. The game also does a great job pacing itself, every long linear path is usually punctuated with some sort of switch-up, whether that be a series of intense boss fights, a dungeon, a puzzle sequence, or some awful underwater soccer. There’s enough variety to keep things fresh despite the repetition of its general level progression, which is a huge boon that helps wipe away some of the disappointment from the lack of freedom.
Towards the very end of the game, it opens up substantially. Once you can go wherever you want whenever you want, suddenly there are a million things to do. Many of them are annoying, many of them are obtuse, and many of them are difficult. I didn’t do all of them, but I did go through the hassle of acquiring everybody’s Celestial Weapon and all of the Aeons. And while dodging 200 lightning bolts and playing like six hours of Blitzball did suck, that’s kind of… the fun? It’s an impossible feeling to describe, but there’s something about overcoming an obtuse and ridiculous challenge and getting rewarded by becoming so strong you can sleep through endgame superbosses that makes you feel incredibly accomplished. It’s sort of like the game’s own narrative structure - journey through something painful to experience a relaxing calm.
What a wonderful journey it is, too. Final Fantasy X tells possibly the single greatest story in the franchise, with a unique and well thought out world populated with interesting characters. Not all of them get tons of development, but they don’t have to. They all serve a role in both battle and the group dynamic, and they’re great to have around. When they do have a role in the narrative - and they all do - it’s always done with tenderness and weight. And I think that’s the best way to describe the game’s story and script: tender and heavy. So many great individual lines, individual moments, individual scenes. The early PS2-era animation and voice acting cruft largely wears off early on, so by the time you’re getting to the seriously impactful scenes you are all in, and the actors are doing great work. Tidus especially is given a lot of work to do, and actor James Arnold Taylor is able to pull it all off. From confident braggadocio to covert sadness to out and out despair, he’s able to make it all work. Even the infamous laugh scene works well in context and is called back to many hours later in a way that felt genuinely moving. I have no complaints about the narrative, which trucks along at a pretty good pace and ends perfectly. No notes.
So what we have here is a Final Fantasy for fans and first timers, one that reinvents so many aspects of the series while maintaining the core of its soul. Through its excellent storytelling, phenomenal soundtrack, and deep gameplay it marks itself as possibly the single greatest rpg of its era and easily one of the top Final Fantasy games.
I never want to play Blitzball again.
The definition of what a final fantasy should be. The way the characters evolve and change through the main story is simply amazing. Also lulu is hot.
I have to be honest, for the first several hours I wasn’t very interested in this games mechanics or story. I actually asked Chordata3 if he thought I should just give it up and he said it’s one of you favorite franchises I would keep going. I’m so glad I listened because by the end it had one of the best leveling systems, battle systems, art, music, atmospheres, characters, and stories in all of gaming.
I find it almost impossible to talk about what’s great about this games story and characters without spoiling the major events of the story. So I won’t go into much detail. As I previously said I wasn’t into the story much at the beginning but, wow, it gets so good so quick as you slowly see the layers peeled back and answers and plot twists are revealed. Every party member plays an important role in the story. Many, and I mean many, RPGs even many of the Final Fantasy’s have some party members you could throw away and the main story wouldn’t change a bit bit. Here though if you take away any characters story the game just doesn’t work. The story it self is one hell of a ride. What is so unique is there isn’t a true main villain. Seymour is the closest thing but he is not the final boss. The main threat in this game is a corrupt religious group, a cycle of death and sorrow, brought on by a monster that came about as a result of a war, and lies that keep this cycle to keep continuing. If you haven’t played the game I’m sure that sounds, well not great, but I promise the story is so good. The sub plot of Tidus and Yuna’s love story is by far the best love story in the series and also in my opinion the most believable. This game also has the most emotional empact along with FF6 in the series. This is section is easily the most important reason for the 5 star rating.
The battle system is easily my favorite in the franchise. Each character can be swapped out for any other party member during the battle with no penalty or wait time. This makes the game feel more alive than just 3-4 members doing all the work while 1-10 more party members just seem to be following them around doing nothing. The party members only get AP (EXP in other games) if they performed an action during the battle. Players use this AP to upgrade their members in the sphere grid. Instead of regular leveling this game uses the sphere grid so that you can level players how you see fit. I won’t explain the process here but it is one of the best if not the best in FF.
I’ve said this a lot in my FF reviews but there isn’t much to say about the art, music, atmosphere outside of it’s fantastic. The series especially the first ten games were way ahead of everyone else in the industry in these categories.
What started off as a game I thought I may not like became one of my all time favorite games. It will be very high on my top 100 games list when I add it to the list.
I find it almost impossible to talk about what’s great about this games story and characters without spoiling the major events of the story. So I won’t go into much detail. As I previously said I wasn’t into the story much at the beginning but, wow, it gets so good so quick as you slowly see the layers peeled back and answers and plot twists are revealed. Every party member plays an important role in the story. Many, and I mean many, RPGs even many of the Final Fantasy’s have some party members you could throw away and the main story wouldn’t change a bit bit. Here though if you take away any characters story the game just doesn’t work. The story it self is one hell of a ride. What is so unique is there isn’t a true main villain. Seymour is the closest thing but he is not the final boss. The main threat in this game is a corrupt religious group, a cycle of death and sorrow, brought on by a monster that came about as a result of a war, and lies that keep this cycle to keep continuing. If you haven’t played the game I’m sure that sounds, well not great, but I promise the story is so good. The sub plot of Tidus and Yuna’s love story is by far the best love story in the series and also in my opinion the most believable. This game also has the most emotional empact along with FF6 in the series. This is section is easily the most important reason for the 5 star rating.
The battle system is easily my favorite in the franchise. Each character can be swapped out for any other party member during the battle with no penalty or wait time. This makes the game feel more alive than just 3-4 members doing all the work while 1-10 more party members just seem to be following them around doing nothing. The party members only get AP (EXP in other games) if they performed an action during the battle. Players use this AP to upgrade their members in the sphere grid. Instead of regular leveling this game uses the sphere grid so that you can level players how you see fit. I won’t explain the process here but it is one of the best if not the best in FF.
I’ve said this a lot in my FF reviews but there isn’t much to say about the art, music, atmosphere outside of it’s fantastic. The series especially the first ten games were way ahead of everyone else in the industry in these categories.
What started off as a game I thought I may not like became one of my all time favorite games. It will be very high on my top 100 games list when I add it to the list.
Não queremos, nem devemos, viver na sombra de nossos pais. Se por acaso trilhamos caminhos semelhantes na vida, então levamos como uma nova oportunidade de escrever a nossa história e destruir com a tradição. É normal ser rebelde. E por mais deploráveis (ou não) que seus pais sejam, é normal também entendê-los um pouco mais através desse processo, mesmo que isso não resolva ou compense absolutamente nada.
Sair da espiral requer coragem.
Sair da espiral requer coragem.
Yeah yeah laugh it up guys. The Tidus laughing scene is one of the most emotional scenes in gaming. Disappointed in you guys.
Easily the best Final Fantasy. Incredibly fun, wonderful world building, and memorable characters, Tidus is also unintentionally funny in the best way, so it's a joyous ride from start to finish.
Yıllar sonra ilk defa bir oyunda göz yaşları döktüm. Şahane boss'lar, harika savaş sistemi, sevilesi karakterler ve maceraları, güzel yaratılmış bir dünya, iyi işlenmiş politik eleştiriler(beklemiyordum hiç), gereksiz açık dünya olmayışı ve kompakt bir dizayn ile akıcı bir pacing ile akması ve yer yer geniş alanlar da sunması.
Oynadığım en iyi Final Fantasy oyunu değil sadece, oynadığım en iyi oyunlardan biri ayrıca. Son boss belki biraz daha farklı bir şekilde olabilirdi ama buna da okeyim. Tetris bulmacası dışında da bulmacaları sevdim, fena değillerdi. Pratik değillerdi sadece ama olsun, çok sık puzzle olmuyordu zaten ve bir JRPG'de kafa çalıştıran puzzle'lar olması takdir edilesi.
Bayıldım kısacası her yönü ile. X-2'yi oynayıp bu güzel maceraya koyulmuş güzelim noktayı mahvetmek de istemiyorum. Bir başyapıt benim için.
Oynadığım en iyi Final Fantasy oyunu değil sadece, oynadığım en iyi oyunlardan biri ayrıca. Son boss belki biraz daha farklı bir şekilde olabilirdi ama buna da okeyim. Tetris bulmacası dışında da bulmacaları sevdim, fena değillerdi. Pratik değillerdi sadece ama olsun, çok sık puzzle olmuyordu zaten ve bir JRPG'de kafa çalıştıran puzzle'lar olması takdir edilesi.
Bayıldım kısacası her yönü ile. X-2'yi oynayıp bu güzel maceraya koyulmuş güzelim noktayı mahvetmek de istemiyorum. Bir başyapıt benim için.
I love the story and characters. The pacing and world building is near perfect. Voice delivery and timing can be off at times but overall the voice performances were charming and memorable. It's aged incredibly well. I was scared the gameplay was too basic at the beginning but it really opens up, the sphere upgrade system is genius. The end game encounters and bosses aggravated me a little but thanks to some cheesy tactics because of Rikku I got to the end with zero grinding required. The ending is something that will stick with me for a quite a while, it concluded beautifully. Recommended for any JRPG fan.
7.5/10
Yawns
Não irei elaborar ou desenvolver, mas na minha visão, cheguei até a rejogar ele, final fantasy X é um produto da época, em muitos níveis, desde atmosfera, estética, estilo de narrativa e etc.
Isso é bom se você realmente entrar no clima do jogo.
Os problemas desse jogo ao meu ver é que ele simplifica demais muitas resoluções de conflitos em prol da temática e do ritmo e sendo sincero isso da uma liga mole, que por sua vez enfraquece a base com o passar do tempo.
No fim achei a narrativa ok e um plot com potencial latente que não chegou no seu potencial, típico do nojima um dos escritores desse jogo é de ff7.
Não nego, não gostei mesmo desse jogo, foi uma experiência decepcionante e cansativa, apesar de pontos positivos muito interessantes.
As alegorias com zanakard
Com o sin
E etc, esse jogo em símbolismo tá quente demais e isso tem proveito narrativo,então acho bom num geral, até a própria temática é excepcional.
Só consigo me importar com dois personagens, afinal só eles tem desenvolvimento relevante, o resto existe.... okay, o auron é chad, mas não vai muito além.
A trilha sonora desse jogo é excelente, espetacular, absurda
Sério mesmo a trilha desse jogo carrega nas costas muitos elementos que ao meu ver acho fracos, pois as osts transbordam sentimentos e forram muito a atmosfera.
Sight of spira
Someday the dream will over
To the zanakard
A ost de batalha
A direção de cena junto com a ost é algo elogiavam tbm, suteki da ne naquela cena do lago nossa, ficou maravilhoso!
Outro destaque é a produção desse jogo, esse jogo é lindo pkrl, os designs são do nomura e estão excelentes, tem cenários muito bonitos tbm, o gameplay é outro ponto de destaque apesar de eu não gostar e desgostar dele.
É um jogo que sofre de síndrome de minigame igual a ff7, principalmente pra pegas as final weapons de todos os personagens, vai tomar no cu, vai se foder.
As mecânicas adicionadas e as mudanças nesse jogo são de fato bem vidas e se fizeram muito proveitosas durante todo o gameplay, porém esse jogo é lento pkrl, tem animação pkrl, eu true dormi numa boss fight de tão demorada que era.
O sistema de sphere grid é uma faca de dois gumes, se tu souber o que ta fazendo, souber no que está mexendo, o jogo vai ser muito divertido, masssss se você for leigo, não tiver saco de entender o sistema e outros, esse jogo ainda é funcional, você fica balanceado pro boss final ( no meu caso ao menos foi assim).
No replay testei novas opções, sphere grid soa como um job system hibrido 3.0, pela sua variação e suas possibilidades o que torna o gameplay interessante, se você realmente souber o que faz.
Concluindo, foi uma experiência cansativas nas duas vezes, na primeira foi decepcionante, na segunda foi mais aceitavel, já que a dublagem inglês estraga esse jogo de um maneira inacreditável e quem dizer que não estraga, não jogou com a japonesa e se ainda assim preferi a inglês, tens o direito de ser feliz ( ou não!).
Um bom jogo, um final fantasy fraco, mas ao menos me emocionei numa cena, então valeu a jornada, porém eu não quero saber mais do ffx do x2 e da novel que cheguei a ler, aquilo lá é lixo radioativo, mantenham distância.
Yawns
Não irei elaborar ou desenvolver, mas na minha visão, cheguei até a rejogar ele, final fantasy X é um produto da época, em muitos níveis, desde atmosfera, estética, estilo de narrativa e etc.
Isso é bom se você realmente entrar no clima do jogo.
Os problemas desse jogo ao meu ver é que ele simplifica demais muitas resoluções de conflitos em prol da temática e do ritmo e sendo sincero isso da uma liga mole, que por sua vez enfraquece a base com o passar do tempo.
No fim achei a narrativa ok e um plot com potencial latente que não chegou no seu potencial, típico do nojima um dos escritores desse jogo é de ff7.
Não nego, não gostei mesmo desse jogo, foi uma experiência decepcionante e cansativa, apesar de pontos positivos muito interessantes.
As alegorias com zanakard
Com o sin
E etc, esse jogo em símbolismo tá quente demais e isso tem proveito narrativo,então acho bom num geral, até a própria temática é excepcional.
Só consigo me importar com dois personagens, afinal só eles tem desenvolvimento relevante, o resto existe.... okay, o auron é chad, mas não vai muito além.
A trilha sonora desse jogo é excelente, espetacular, absurda
Sério mesmo a trilha desse jogo carrega nas costas muitos elementos que ao meu ver acho fracos, pois as osts transbordam sentimentos e forram muito a atmosfera.
Sight of spira
Someday the dream will over
To the zanakard
A ost de batalha
A direção de cena junto com a ost é algo elogiavam tbm, suteki da ne naquela cena do lago nossa, ficou maravilhoso!
Outro destaque é a produção desse jogo, esse jogo é lindo pkrl, os designs são do nomura e estão excelentes, tem cenários muito bonitos tbm, o gameplay é outro ponto de destaque apesar de eu não gostar e desgostar dele.
É um jogo que sofre de síndrome de minigame igual a ff7, principalmente pra pegas as final weapons de todos os personagens, vai tomar no cu, vai se foder.
As mecânicas adicionadas e as mudanças nesse jogo são de fato bem vidas e se fizeram muito proveitosas durante todo o gameplay, porém esse jogo é lento pkrl, tem animação pkrl, eu true dormi numa boss fight de tão demorada que era.
O sistema de sphere grid é uma faca de dois gumes, se tu souber o que ta fazendo, souber no que está mexendo, o jogo vai ser muito divertido, masssss se você for leigo, não tiver saco de entender o sistema e outros, esse jogo ainda é funcional, você fica balanceado pro boss final ( no meu caso ao menos foi assim).
No replay testei novas opções, sphere grid soa como um job system hibrido 3.0, pela sua variação e suas possibilidades o que torna o gameplay interessante, se você realmente souber o que faz.
Concluindo, foi uma experiência cansativas nas duas vezes, na primeira foi decepcionante, na segunda foi mais aceitavel, já que a dublagem inglês estraga esse jogo de um maneira inacreditável e quem dizer que não estraga, não jogou com a japonesa e se ainda assim preferi a inglês, tens o direito de ser feliz ( ou não!).
Um bom jogo, um final fantasy fraco, mas ao menos me emocionei numa cena, então valeu a jornada, porém eu não quero saber mais do ffx do x2 e da novel que cheguei a ler, aquilo lá é lixo radioativo, mantenham distância.
More linear Final Fantasy and with the best bosses in the series, not my favorite, but the one with the biggest replay factor for those reasons.
The laughing scene isn't as ridiculous as the memes make it out to be, actually with context it's a pretty cute scene.
I got hooked on Blitzball.
The laughing scene isn't as ridiculous as the memes make it out to be, actually with context it's a pretty cute scene.
I got hooked on Blitzball.
Muitas emoções e poucas palavras pra poder explicar cada uma delas.
FFX é uma experiência inesquecível, e não me arrependo nem um pouco de ter dado uma chance pra ele quando estive desanimado no início.
Admito, ele demorou pra me pegar e me colocar na história, pois de começo ele é confuso, porém ao desenrolar da história você vai se encantando pelo universo que ele apresenta, e também pelos personagens.
Sim, o ponto forte de FF sempre foi sua party, mas no X isso se vê diferente pois a atenção dada a ela é bem maior, a construção de personalidades e filosofias que cada personagem segue, faz com que a gente enxergue eles mais do que bonecos, nós passa a enxerga-los como amigos próximos.
O protagonista Tidus é um dos mais carismáticos que ja vi, e sua essência shounen é perfeita porque não passa do ponto, fica tudo na medida, como dizia chorão "Como tudo deve ser".
Não vou me aprofundar tanto na questão de jogabilidade e mecânicas do jogo, por que elas são bem simples e fáceis de entender, porém o jogo é casca grossa se você não grindar e ele vai te meter o cascudo sem medo.
Enfim, tenho muito a dizer sobre o FFX porém ainda me falta tempo pra refletir os conceitos que ele me ensinou sobre a vida, só tenho algo a dizer.
Esse jogo, vai te fazer chorar em algum momento.
FFX é uma experiência inesquecível, e não me arrependo nem um pouco de ter dado uma chance pra ele quando estive desanimado no início.
Admito, ele demorou pra me pegar e me colocar na história, pois de começo ele é confuso, porém ao desenrolar da história você vai se encantando pelo universo que ele apresenta, e também pelos personagens.
Sim, o ponto forte de FF sempre foi sua party, mas no X isso se vê diferente pois a atenção dada a ela é bem maior, a construção de personalidades e filosofias que cada personagem segue, faz com que a gente enxergue eles mais do que bonecos, nós passa a enxerga-los como amigos próximos.
O protagonista Tidus é um dos mais carismáticos que ja vi, e sua essência shounen é perfeita porque não passa do ponto, fica tudo na medida, como dizia chorão "Como tudo deve ser".
Não vou me aprofundar tanto na questão de jogabilidade e mecânicas do jogo, por que elas são bem simples e fáceis de entender, porém o jogo é casca grossa se você não grindar e ele vai te meter o cascudo sem medo.
Enfim, tenho muito a dizer sobre o FFX porém ainda me falta tempo pra refletir os conceitos que ele me ensinou sobre a vida, só tenho algo a dizer.
Esse jogo, vai te fazer chorar em algum momento.
"dad"
"yeah?"
"ihateyou"
"yeah?"
"ihateyou"
Sterile Chrono Cross.
FFX is def a game I appreciate the more I play it. I think the two main things that drawn me in were how good Tidus and Yuna's development and relationship were, as well as Spira as a setting thematically. Spira represents a cycle of false hope, trapped in a never ending spiral of despair, loss and grief so seeing the main characters having to overcome and break through is powerful. It also has one of the most emotional conclusions to any game I've experienced.
The gameplay was surprisingly innovative, this is the first time I seen such a leveling system that does not revolve around leveling and weapons not having stats. If you know what you are doing there are so many ways you can play these characters its amazing. I think with a bit of polish it could have been one of the best combat systems. FFX is also a game that encourages all party members involvement so there is a nice cohesion that ties into the idea of connection of the game brilliantly.
The graphic were incredible for its time but yeah it def doesn't hold up as well for me outside of parts of Spira looking really good. The dub is also kinda eh. I didn't enjoy most of the side content and I think some of the main party members and most of the side characters were quite average which were things holds it back for me, but still a really great game and I see the Final Fantasy vision now
The gameplay was surprisingly innovative, this is the first time I seen such a leveling system that does not revolve around leveling and weapons not having stats. If you know what you are doing there are so many ways you can play these characters its amazing. I think with a bit of polish it could have been one of the best combat systems. FFX is also a game that encourages all party members involvement so there is a nice cohesion that ties into the idea of connection of the game brilliantly.
The graphic were incredible for its time but yeah it def doesn't hold up as well for me outside of parts of Spira looking really good. The dub is also kinda eh. I didn't enjoy most of the side content and I think some of the main party members and most of the side characters were quite average which were things holds it back for me, but still a really great game and I see the Final Fantasy vision now
Spoony ruined discourse on this game for like 10+ years. FFX deserves several thousand apologies.
It's Final Fantasy 10 cause it's a