Final Fantasy X (PS2)
Publisher: Square Enix Developer: Square Enix
Final Fantasy is a series that has captured the hearts of many gamers for the more than a decade. It all started with Final Fantasy for the NES, which was named as a joke. Square was in danger of going under, and for a "last ditch" effort they decided to release one more game. This was to be the last game Square released, so they named it "Final Fantasy." As you might have already guessed, it was wildly popular, and has since spawned many sequels, toys, and a blockbuster Hollywood movie. The Final Fantasy name hasn't disappointed me so far.
Final Fantasy X is the tenth in the series (none of which have anything to do with one another), but is the first appearance of it on the PlayStation 2. There were many changes to the series this time around, most noticeably with the voice-over work being added to the game. Many gamers complained that the English voices didn't do justice to the Japanese counterparts, but I didn't find this to be the case. The game holds together well as a package, and in my opinion, the voice acting was fine.
Gameplay: 9
The gameplay is the real reason to play any game. Final Fantasy X has excellent gameplay in all forms. Unlike the previous Final Fantasy games, FFX follows a "path" throughout the game, and there's no real way to get lost. While some people might miss being able to walk around in the "overworld," you'll find that you really don't notice it much while playing the game. For those of you who really miss getting to choose exactly where to go, you are actually able to go places freely late in the game. You just choose from a list, rather than walking there.
FFX has also introduced a completely new way to build up your characters, and that being the Sphere Grid. The grid might seem huge and confusing at first, but it really allows you to guide each character and mold them into whatever fits your needs. While grid paths are limited at first, you'll start getting keys to unlock other areas. Using the grid will allow you to build a character in any direction you want by crossing into other characters' sections and learning their abilities. This makes leveling up take a little longer, but the rewards are much greater. While your character can be extremely versatile, you can also make one very lop-sided character, so make sure to look at the path ahead before moving too far early on in the game.
The other new feature this time around, is the ability to customize your weapons. This is a nice feature, and lots of fun to play with. This way, you can have a weapon with "Break Damage Limit" AND "Stonestrike", and you'll probably still have two slots to fill. (Yes, the game actually lets you break the 9,999 hit limit this time around. You can actually hit for 99,999 now. This also means that the enemies can hit for more than 9,999. You'd better consider building an armor with "Break HP Limit" in addition to HP+30%. Believe me, for some of the extra bosses, you'll need it!
The true way to maximize gameplay in FFX is in side quests. There are several little things to do such as a playing in a Blitzball league and monster capturing. Many gamers log 20 hours or more simply playing several games of Blitz. (Blitzball is an underwater soccer-type game.) While blazing straight through the game can bring you to the end in 30-40 hours, taking advantage of the game's many side quests can help you log well over 100 hours. (I personally stopped after 115 hours...)
Graphics: 10
The graphics are simply phenomenal in Final Fantasy X. The FMV scenes are beautiful, as always. The regular gameplay scenes are also great looking, with very small drops in quality from the FMV scenes. The characters and monsters are greatly detailed. Most of the dungeons and towns have strong attention to detail as well. Overall, I'd say the graphics were very impressive.
Sound & Music: 9.5
Music is always something to look forward to in a Final Fantasy game. FFX didn't disappoint in any way. Nobuo Uematsu was back once again as the game's primary composer. The game felt like a symphony that never ended. (I mean that in a good way.) Unlike many other RPGs, the battle and background music changes from time to time, so nothing gets old. Every area has it's own theme, and most of the major bosses have one as well. The game's music shines in every spot. I rarely get tired of hearing it. (This is why so many people buy FF soundtracks.)
The sound effects were standard for an RPG. Nothing fancy here. The voice acting was good, but sometimes it just wasn't timed properly. This might have been a programming issue, rather than an acting issue. I'm not sure, it it did break the moment at a few points throughout the game. It was good overall though, and I'm sure it was just a new phase, adding voices to the once voiceless series. I'm sure the next one will sound better.
Story: 7.5
Final Fantasy X was a loose love story, intertwined with an evil force (Sin) slowly destroying the planet (Spira). Tidus sort of hints around that he's hot for Yuna, while the other characters pretend not to notice. Half of the story focuses on Tidus and his search for his identity, while at the same time looking for a way to get home. The other major storyline is based on Yuna, who is a summoner and therefore is responsible for bringing the calm back to Spira. This means that she must defeat Sin. Of course, she'll bring Tidus and the rest of the gang along, as an RPG story wouldn't be complete without a group of semi-strangers traveling together. The story rarely detracts from the group's fight against Sin, and much of the story follows Sin's destruction, attacking at every chance. Unfortunately, there's not much more to it than that. The main story is solid, but the side stories are lacking.
Replay Value: 7.5
This game has great replay value if you're interested in side quests. I'm sure you'll miss lots of stuff the first time around, so it's nice to go back and get everything. If you don't want to sit through the story again though, just trade it in for something new.
To buy or to rent?Like any RPG, you'll unlikely be able to beat it (or truly enjoy it) with a rental. I recommend buying it.
Overall: 9
Overall, the game has a nice look and feel. It's very fun to play, and I found myself putting in many hours the second time through. If you haven't already, I definitely recommend picking this up.
Additional Information:
Genre: Role Playing
Players: 1
Memory Required: 63K
Rating: T (for Teen)
Extras: Dolby Surround Sound
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