I can only hope that future Final Fantasy titles include such well-written and spoken dialogue. The plot revolves around the development of Tidus for the most part; after all, he narrates most of the story. Though seemingly straightforward for a large portion of the game, the plot unravels in a slow but steady pace that builds an increasing amount of suspense and plot revelations. The amazing character interaction only benefits the story, which proves to be one of the most balanced plots in a Final Fantasy title thus far. The combination of excellent fantasy storytelling and moral values seems to have a very real application to the world today; this factor made it much more “real”.

I don’t want to spoil anything as this is definitely one you’ll want to experience for yourself if you haven’t. It was the last main line game to be truly turn-based while featuring the final appearance of certain Summons characters. It was the last one to let you tag out characters during battles, delivered on an innovative progression system, and it was the only time we’d ever get a completely original sport with Blitzball. Today’s Final Fantasy games are all about speed, attacking fast, and making decisions on the fly. It wasn’t always like that in the long-standing Final Fantasy universe, however. In fact, Final Fantasy X was the last time a mainline Final Fantasy game featured the franchise’s traditional turn-based style of combat.

The Story That Grips Your Heart

Both small and giant monsters are crawling in every direction, but what makes them stand out is that some are docile while others are hostile. The low level bee monster might attack you on sight, but that level 40 gigantic dinosaur-like creature could just walk right past you, minding its own business. Each species has its own habits and behaviors, which means you have to stay alert as you explore instead of just mindlessly meandering around like in many other open-world games. Some monsters will only show up at certain times of day, too, which you can now conveniently adjust from the menu rather than having to find and use special pods scattered throughout Mira. While your main character may be bland, one thing that’s certainly not is the open world of Xenoblade Chronicles X. It’s divided into five regions, each with its own type of terrain.

In Side Quests We Trust

Your mileage may vary on that assessment, but when I finally got to my first mech battles and found they didn't benefit from the new cooldown bar, that waiting period suddenly felt like an actual final fantasy eternity. That's when I realised just how much more fun I was having with this new system, even though I was fully aware that all the bite had been taken from it in the process. What you will notice, however, are the refinements Monolith Soft's made to X's core battle system, which I'm not convinced are necessarily for the better.

Players often find themselves rooting for Tidus, Yuna, and friends as they navigate the tribulations of Spira. The shift toward voice acting and cinematic storytelling offered in FFX keeps players engaged, as they feel invested in the characters’ fates. The growth of characters, particularly Yuna’s transition from a sheltered summoner to a more empowered individual, finds many players bonding personally with her story.

FeatureWe love love, and these games made us believe in the power of love all over again... Nobuo Uematsu returns to score Final Fantasy X, but this time he has the help of two more composers. The result is a soundtrack even more diverse than FFVII or FFVIII, and that’s definitely an incredible feat. I can’t explain how it makes me feel, but it just gives me so much happiness.There’s so much emotion tied to it as well. Anytime I hear a song from it, I just want to jump right back into a replay for the millionth time.

The sphere grid leveling system has also received high praise, allowing for a unique sense of character customization that’s engaging without being overwhelming. Players can tailor their characters to fit their playstyle, whether that involves empowering physical damage dealers or supportive healers. This balance between accessibility and depth provides a sense of agency, making player decisions feel impactful and rewarding. Even the dreaded celestial mini games, mentioned by 2cmZucchini, while challenging, are often viewed as fun additions that bring life to the world of Spira, showcasing the diversity of gameplay that Final Fantasy X has to offer. Final Fantasy X has secured a cherished place in the hearts of many gamers, invoking laughter, tears, and nostalgic joy long after the game has been played.

This specific situation is a good way to spot the other performance issue that is present in some platforms when playing the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster. Watton humorously criticizes Final Fantasy X’s character designs, citing costume choices as a minor but notable flaw in an otherwise exceptional game. The love-hate relationship with certain aspects adds a touch of personality to the gaming experience.

Final Fantasy games have always been packed with alternate things to do, but Final Fantasy X really doubles down on having engaging minigames. Of course, first and foremost among these is the best minigame the franchise has ever seen, Blitz Ball. Without spoiling too much, let's just say that your party simply cannot die, no matter how hard Yu Yevon might hit with its attacks. It's because of this reason that most people consider Braska's Final Aeon to be the last fight of the game... The Sphere Grid in Final Fantasy X is an excellent way to develop your characters, allowing for a level of customization and variety that wasn't possible in any title up to that point.

New Trailer and Info Revealed for ‘Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’ at Today’s Nintendo Direct

With the Wii U gamepad gone, fast travel and map info have also been smartly reworked into a separate menu on a single screen, transitioning that information perfectly over to Switch. Now I no longer have to experience the neck pain issues caused by having to constantly switch between looking down at my gamepad and back up at the TV screen. Some might wonder if these issues are even worth bringing up and detailing, but after so many ports, remasters, and re-releases over the years, Square Enix should do better with its premier franchise. The whole point of this bundle was to be the best versions of the classic Final Fantasy games. To see such basic technical issues remain not only in the original release, but also after multiple platform ports and updates is very disappointing. Players also point out that the diversity of quests, ranging from monster hunting to mini-games, enriched the gameplay experience, enticing players to delve deeper into the world beyond the main storyline.

With less exploration and a more confined route from point A to point B, some players longed for the open-world experience that was prevalent in earlier titles. There’s a particular sentiment that the structure might limit the overall exploration of Spira, a world rich in lore. An interesting aspect that emerged was the deep appreciation for the soundtrack, featuring the iconic compositions by Nobuo Uematsu. Music in video games has this phenomenal ability to create emotional touchpoints, and here it serves as an enchanting backdrop that elevates the story. I resonate better with other games of the franchise for some aspects, but Final Fantasy X is still fun to play.” This reflects the significance of the music; even if certain elements didn’t land with every player, the melodies sung their praises. Equally, as you explore more of Mira you’ll come into contact with an array of friendly alien races – who then migrate to live in New LA.

From Miranium mining and improving all the different arms manufacturers to crafting augments and upgrades and sorting through all manner of mech attachments, it's a lot to take in. It's still not as streamlined as it could be, but old hands of the series will no doubt breathe a sigh of relief at its relative simplicity. Battles had a heightened dynamism about them over and above the simple act of getting your character into the right place at the right time, and it fostered a real sense of synchronised teamwork between your party members.