Revisiting Epic Final Fantasy X in 2024

Sometimes a franchise has a game that transforms how everyone looks at it. Some franchises are lucky to have several. Such is the case with Square-Enix and the example of Final Fantasy X. Previous franchise games had reinvented their gameplay and the idea of how JRPGs could be presented. The tenth installment was no different, providing a lot of firsts for the series and expanding the audience of Final Fantasy. As we look back on this classic game, let’s think about where gaming was in 2001, which led to this game being considered a masterpiece of its time. We will avoid spoilers in case you’ve somehow still never played it!

Updated Presentation

The PS2 allowed for a presentation like gamers had never seen before. The in-engine graphics were better than the pre-rendered cutscenes of Final Fantasy IX, and the pre-rendered cutscenes were competing with the likes of Pixar movies. Final Fantasy X took advantage of not just the PS2’s greatly heightened graphics but also the enhanced storage space of DVDs. For the first time in series history, voice acting was included in all major cutscenes. Players grew attached to their characters like never before, seeing them laugh and cry and shout in cinematic moments. For those who had trouble following JRPG storylines, you now may as well have been watching a film.

Smart Gameplay

Final Fantasy X left behind the ATB battle system for something slow-paced and strategic. The player’s characters and enemies would take actions based on their speed, with certain actions adjusting the order of play. This meant planning around your enemy’s attacks was more important than ever. Additionally, party members could be swapped mid-fight, allowing for more complex setups and executions. Through the sphere grid, characters were deeply customizable, not locked into any one play style. What this amounted to was a game with deep combat and challenging encounters that felt rewarding to finally triumph over.

A Love Story