FFX: The Best $20 You Could Possibly Spend

First things first. I have to get a little something off my chest. It took until buying a Playstation 2 for me to become enamored with RPGs. I’ve always been a fan of video games in general, but tended to enjoy first-person shooters, puzzle games, fighting games, and for that matter sim games.

But Final Fantasy X changed my mind about everything. Since first buying FFX I’ve fallen in love with RPGs and have found myself equally entertained by but a few other titles for the PS2—Kingdom Hearts and Suikoden III. But my heart rests with Squaresoft’s FFX. Everything from the graphics to the music to the characters to the plot and to the adventure is incredible. Clearly a lot of time and effort were put into making the title the best thing since sliced bread.

So, basically, I want to offer up a big ol’ “thank you” to the makers of this incredible game. Even more incredible is the fact that it can now be gotten for a mere $19.99 as a “greatest hits” title. People can no longer make excuses for not owning FFX because of the hefty price tag. Even better is the fact that shortly, Squaresoft is also releasing their first ever direct Final Fantasy sequel. X-2 will be a continuation of the story first presented in the previous 2001 title.

Anyway, so I love Final Fantasy X. This doesn’t mean that the game is without fault. Rather it means that any faults I find with it are overshadowed by the incredible graphics and entertaining (although at times challenging) gameplay. Before I get on with the review itself, I want to say that the main problems with FFX are two-fold.

1) The play is extremely linear. You can’t get lost or go off the beaten track. Players are just expected to go from point A to point B and not deviate. Heck, there’s really not any way to deviate anyway. I would have preferred there be more flexibility and more surprises with FFX.
2) The cut scenes are sometimes extremely long. I want to just get on with things. I realize that there is a story behind the story we see on the screen, but if I could only hit “X” and get out of the entire damn FMV or conversation or whatever it is I’d be a happy girl. Heck, I think the game would take about 2/3 the time it currently does to play if there was an easy way to fast forward or escape.

So with those two little nasty tidbits out of the way and well out of my mind, I continue with the bulk of what needs to be said about Final Fantasy X in preparation for the next title.

[STORY]

FFX is the story of young Tidus, a Blitzball (a mix of water and rugby) star of the Zanarkand Abes. His life has always been difficult as a result of his poor relationship with his father, Jecht. Jecht was a rough man, and when he disappeared Tidus’ animosity grew stronger toward his absent father.

Queue Sin. Sin is the large, black, amorphous embodiment of all the things that are evil in the world. It attacks Tidus’ homeland of Zanarkand and propels him to a world some 1,000 years into the future. He washes up on the shore of some strange, ancient ruin and soon (after a bit of gameplay) ends up on what turns out to be an Al Bhed salvage ship. As the story continues and after a variety of events, the young, excitable, and impatient Tidus meets up with a Blitzball team by the name of the Besaid Aurochs led by Wakka. Wakka immediately sees a resemblance between Tidus and his dead younger brother and takes him under his wing and introduces him to Lady Yuna, Kimahri, and Lulu.

Turns out Yuna is a summoner and as such is setting out on a pilgrimage that will culminate in the destruction of Sin itself. I don’t want to give too much more away about the story but needless to say it is complex despite the fact that it is arranged in such a linear manner. I will however give away a few hints. Yuna is not who she seems. Sin is not what it seems. Auron is not who he seems. Even when you are told exactly what the situation is and the progression of the story, it is difficult to digest…not to mention fun!

[CHARACTERS]

Tidus: The star of the Zanarkand Abes and son of Jecht. Tidus possesses a fiery personality and a distinctly stubborn personality. He is the main characters, but ironically enough is not the best fighter (he uses a sword) or the best with magic. Basically, he’s a well-rounded guy who is useful now and again.

Yuna: A soft-spoken, intelligent, and introspective young woman hailing from Besaid. She is not just beautiful—she is also the daughter of the great summoner Lord Braska. As such, she’s decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and defeat Sin. She is a slight girl, but her ability to summon Aeons and eventual skill with magic makes her a worthy opponent.

Wakka: Another star Blitzball player, he retired from playing to become Yuna’s guardian full-time as a way to avenge his brother’s death. He’s funny and light-hearted and proves to be comic relief now and again. He’s particularly adept at killing “flyers” as he calls them. If it’s in the air, he can kill it.

Lulu: A black mage, Lulu key to the success of Yuna’s pilgrimage. She has little physical strength but manages to wield a nasty punch when she learns her increasingly powerful spells. She, along with Yuna and Wakka, grew up in Besaid village.

Kimahri Ronso: The big, furry, blue silent type who is also a master with the lance. He was shamed in his home after having his horn snapped off by bullies (he WILL get his revenge) and turned to Besaid and has since fiercely protected Yuna. He’s a logical, gruff fellow who can be a good physical fighter.

Auron: A strong, battle wounded character who once watched over Yuna’s father’s pilgrimage. Ironically, somehow, Tidus also knows Auron from Zanarkand. Who is this guy? The good news is that he is exceptionally strong. He is by far the physically strongest character of the game and will be of great use when it comes to heavily armored beasts.

Rikku: Tidus met Rikku on that Al Bhed salvage ship but she doesn’t join the group until much later in the game when he stumbles upon her during the quest. She is also a physically weak character (though she is stronger than both Yuna and Lulu), but possesses the skills of a thief. As the game progresses it is clear that she is a very large asset to the group of guardians.

[GAMEPLAY]

This is all pretty linear as I’ve mentioned time and time again. Basically you start the game playing in the past Zanarkand where Sin is in destruct-o-mode. As the game continues you go to a variety of predestined places, never able to really deviate from the plot. There are some side quests throughout, but they are hard to discover and often very difficult to beat. But it is fun, and fun is good. Therefore FFX is good and fun. Logical enough, eh?

Anyway, the bulk of FFX is spent fighting. Basically you walk down a nicely animated path and run into random beasties. These creatures may or may not spell the end of your party. But as long as you’ve used the clearly marked (with a white square) “save spheres” you won’t lose much time or effort. So save often.

So there’s a battle. What’s the catch? Well, it’s not a free-flow sort of system. As with most RPGs the characters operate on a turn-by-turn schedule. They can be switched in and out without losing turns and they may choose to simply attack or they may choose to use their MP (mana points) to blast enemies with magics. Also, characters can use any one of the potions attained to heal, negate nasty spells, and the like. It’s all up to you. Once a beastie or a bunch of beasties is killed you’ll gain items, AP (experience points), and gil (the monetary unit).

There are of course bosses at predetermined places in the story. Sometimes you fight Sin, other times you fight a particularly nasty Guado fellow named Seymour, at still other times you encounter guardians. And yes—there are a number of surprises. Some are more difficult than others, but using a bit of strategy and logic each of them can be defeated. I’ll give you a warning though…Yunalesca (in Zanarkand) is particularly troublesome and took me four tries to beat.

Speaking of gameplay, characters will earn what are called “overdrives.” There seventeen overdrive modes available for all the characters including Stoic (where the characters stars), Warrior, Healer, Comrade, Slayer, Victor, Tactician, Hero, and so forth. Once overdrive is activated, characters may use them to deal a large amount of damage on an enemy. It is probably best to save them up, but they are useful throughout the game and usually pretty easy to earn. Most notable is the fact that Yuna can always call her aeons, but in overdrive mode she can call an aeon in overdrive and deal a particularly nasty blow.

Of course not quite everything in FFX is exactly linear. Squaresoft built in some secret sidequests which will allow characters to get better weapons, earn overdrives, and for Yuna to gain other aeons. They are scattered throughout the game, but none is necessary to beat the game.

[GRAPHICS/SOUND]

I've already mentioned that the graphics in FFX are pretty incredible. In fact in the FMV sequences, it is easiest to compare the images to the film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Getting the most detail are the two lead characters Tidus and Yuna. Most notable is Yuna. The animators took a great deal of care in giving her movement realism and her eyes life. Even the movement of Tidus and Yuna in these sequences is lovely.

There are actually three levels of animation. The FMV is the best. Second best is the "conversation" time when the characters are speaking. A bit more detail went in to animating these characters at that time then during the gameplay. Lowest on the "quality" totem pole is that which appears when you are moving Tidus around the worlds. Certainly it's a bit of a let down considering the level of animation in some of the other areas, but still compared to most any other game it is still incredible.

FFX has a lovely sound to it. Each character is given a voice...even sometimes the "lesser" characters which the main ones encounter along the way are voiced. Tidus, Wakka, Auron, and Rikku are all pretty well done. Unfortunately, the actress who portrayed Yuna did so in a rather cardboard fashion. Compared to her looks, her voice is one-dimensional. Kimahri and Lulu are also pretty much annoying.

But there is more than just voices to FFX. The game itself is set to a soundtrack. Each island/land you go to has a different song associated with it. Even the Fayth (those responsible for creating the Aeons) have a melody to them. The songs are usually decent and occasionally pleasant. Never am I distracted by the music to the point of ignoring gameplay.

In the end, I think the graphics are superior to the sound. But I'm hoping that the two can be brought together for FFX-2.

[SPHERE GRID/LEVELING UP]

All RPGs generally have a way to gain experience and level up. In the case of FFX this comes in the form of the Sphere Grid. As characters fight beasties and bosses, they earn AP. It’s not just enough to be in battle, they must deal a blow to the baddie. As AP are earned, characters are rewarded with points which then can be spent on the Grid. Each character can be found on a different area, specifically intended to lean toward their particular strengths.

The Grid is at first kind of difficult to navigate, but as the game progresses it becomes easier to deal with. Characters can earns more health points, more strength, more defense (both magic and physical) and more evasion among a host of other things including abilities. It is an interesting way to gain power in the game. I like it, but I am also aware that many people do not. FYI, it has apparently been changed in the upcoming X-2.

[WRAPPING IT UP]

I can see the fault in FFX, but I don’t think the faults are that troubling. Overall, the game is incredible to play and to look at. And both qualities lend themselves well to the quality of the gameplay. I like the characters—and am particularly pleased with the fact that while Lulu (for example) is good at black magic, with work she can be a very strong fighter or for that matter a white mage. It’s all up to the player.

And even though I’m not keen on sitting through of five or ten minutes of FMV, I’m more than happy to look at it. The animators/programmers have managed to put together one of the most beautiful video games ever. Hands down.

If you intend on getting FFX-2 (which by the way is reported to feature Rikku and Yuna and among other new characters) and have yet to play FFX, then what are you waiting for? The $20 it costs and is a bargain. Heck, it will be the best $20 you’ve ever spent on a game for your PS2.