Final Fantasy X

In a line of distinguished video games such as Final Fantasy, there are bound to be games that set a new standard for the series. Final Fantasy X does just that, becoming possibly the best game in the series since Final Fantasy VI.

Final Fantasy X brings the game series into a lot of new territory. It being the first FF game for the Playstation 2 console, the graphics are even more incredible than those in any game before it. It's also the first game in the series to use spoken dialogue. Each of the main characters has a distinctive voice. While the acting isn't top notch, it's easy to listen to most of the time and the voices fit the characters well. For a first attempt, Square did a fantastic job.

Changes to the way the game works came as well. Rather than a normal leveling system, in which characters become stronger in every category by gaining X amount of experience points, the stats of each character are improved through use of the new Sphere Grid system. Characters earn points to move around the grid and use spheres to activate points, allowing them to boost individual statistics, such as maximum hit points or magic defense, as well as learn new spells and abilities.

The player also has the option to switch characters in and out of battle at will. A welcome addition, now every character can get in on a fight and gain points to use on the Sphere Grid.

Last but not least, the storyline of Final Fantasy X is wonderful. The characters have definite personality, and the protagonist, Tidus, is a great character. Unlike past Final Fantasy heroes like Squall and Cloud, Tidus isn't a brooding, stoic person lacking in the emotional department. He's outgoing, adventurous, humorous and has a full range of emotions, making him feel more like the average guy rather than yet another tragic hero.

In short, Final Fantasy X is an excellent game and shouldn't be missed. Even if you've never played a role playing game before, it's easy to pick up and learn. Years from now, fans of the series will have many fond memories of this game.

This game really pulled me in. At first I was like, this is just going to be another video game. But I started identifying with the main character Tidus and his feelings for Yuna. I really liked how this game made me laugh at times and made me emotional at other times.

Final Fantasy X is in my opinion, a brilliant combination of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and the Golden Compass trilogy of books. It's like a romance novel for straight men.

It's rare to hear a video game being compared to a piece of literature, but Final Fantasy X reminds me of nothing so much as Chaucer's THE CANTERBURY TALES. (Perhaps it more accurately compares to Dan Simmons HYPERION, but since HYPERION was loosely based on Chaucer, well...)

A summoner and her six guardians embark on a holy pilgrimage whose lofty goal is to save the world from suffering, if only for a short while. The closer they get to their destination, the more treacherous the way becomes as forces gather to divert or destroy them before they can achieve their goal.

Along the way, the stories of the seven are shared: where they came from, how they became a part of this journey. We watch as their individual stories combine into an epic tale of love, camaraderie, sorrow, sacrifice, and triumph.

In a business filled with shoot-em-ups and car crashes, it's wonderful to see a series that tries to stretch the form in ways that resemble art and literature, truly exploring the possibility of video game as an art form.

As to the voice work that so many people complain of, I can only believe that these people were looking for big-name Hollywood stars to provide the voices of the characters--take a look at the resumes of the actors who provide voices for FFX and you'll find a history of American animation for the last 10 years. Check your own expectations before you criticize and you may find, as Shakespeare said, that "the fault lies not in our stars, but in ourselves."

FFX is my favorite Final Fantasy and my favorite game of all time. I've been playing video games ever since the NES and I still play this game almost every year, it simply holds up well.

The graphics were a leap forward for its time and the HD versions still look surprisingly good in 2021 for a game that is 20 years old. The voice acting is also solid though some recording issues (sped up dialogue) creep through during multiple scenes - what can I say? They were still figuring out voice acting with games back then. The turn-based combat is fun, strategic and holds it's own candle to the traditional ATB style. Spira is vibrant, colorful and unique - wonderful artwork and concepts.

However, what really makes this game unique to me is the story. Themes of religion, change, individual thinking and forging one's own path are heavy topics for a popular video game and are handled very elegantly. The story is captivating, unique, and full of twists. I will say the whole idea behind the Fayth's dreaming and how reality intersects with it can be a little convoluted and contradictory at times but I try not to take it too seriously.

Overall, this is a wonderful game that ages well, is fun to play, and has an engaging story with themes I have grown to appreciate more and more as I grow older.

This was my childhood game & to this day it never fails to impress me! The story is top notch & you fall in love with the characters & get invested in their journey. It made me play all night long & was a joy to play multiple times from beginning to end. Easily a 10/10 game despite Blitzball & the Chocobo Games being rather dull. But other than that, it's a solid game!