Final Fantasy Xinitially released in 2001received a high-definition (HD) remaster in 2014. This entry into the series marked a departure from pre-rendered backdrops to embrace 3D backgroundsdistinguishing itself within the Final Fantasy series. Also notableit was the first to introduce an official sequelFinal Fantasy X-2.

This resource section encompasses a comprehensive game walkthroughcomplete with screenshots and detailed guides for each of the Cloister of Trials. Check out the Walkthrough section and the Side Quests section for more information.

Review

Final Fantasy X is one of the greatest games in the Final Fantasy franchise. The series made the jump from the PlayStation console to the PlayStation 2and the developers did a great job of taking everything that made some of the previous Final Fantasy titles great while ditching some of the annoying features that made them terrible.

To startthe graphics in the game are fantastic. The developers made the transition from 2D pre-rendered backgrounds to the realm of 3Ddoing so flawlesslygiving Final Fantasy X a level of immersion that none of the other Final Fantasy games had previously achieved.

On the other handas part of this transitionFinal Fantasy X left behind one of the key features and signatures of the series. This overworld map tied each of the individual locations together. Instead of a world mapthe game utilized a list of locationsallowing players to select a city or story location to return to from the Airship. This lack of an overworld gave the game less of that ‘epic feeling’ that some of the previous titles were able to achieve.

Neverthelessthis loss of grandeur did not extend to the narrative. The storylinecharacterssettingand particularly the music resonated deeply and left a lasting impact on players. This resonance paved the way for subsequent titlesincluding the first true sequel to any game in the seriesFinal Fantasy X-2.

The addition of voice actors added another impactful element to the game. While some of the lines in the game are particularly cringeworthy (such as the whistling scene in Luca)they did an overall fantastic job.

Most of the actual gameplay elements were done well and were well-received. The Sphere Grid system was an interesting twist on the traditional leveling of previous RPGsbut aside from its visual appealit offered a fairly linear leveling system with very limited customization options.

The Expert Sphere Grid introduces additional complexity and customization. Howeverit is only available on your second playthrough (aside from the HD Remaster versionwhich allows you to select the Expert Sphere Grid as soon as you start).

The equipment customization feature was annoying. Rather than providing an element of variability to the gameyou tended to wind up with a mishmash of wacky armor with completely random auto-abilities. It is very tough during your first playthrough to create armor that is worth keeping without using up your key items and building that equipment up. The result is that you end up not customizing anythingfearing that you might be ‘wasting items.’

In addition to the main storyeach Final Fantasy title typically has a minigame that you can play along with the regular game. The minigame is typically intertwined with the story in some way. This includes games like Chocobo racingTriple Triadand even the abysmally bad Tetra Master card game in Final Fantasy IX.

The minigame in Final Fantasy X is Blitzball. Blitzball can be genuinely enjoyable to playand there are some strong rewards that you can pick up by winning tournaments and league matches. All the side quests (including Blitzball) in the game added up to a huge array of additional end-game content that was a welcome addition for those who wanted to keep playing.

The rewards continue to get incrementally better as wellwhich is a refreshing change from some of the previous end-game content (Ruby Weapon in Final Fantasy VIIfor example).

Final Fantasy X is by no means the best Final Fantasy titlebut it is right up there with the best of them. It has great replay value (because it is easy to miss content entirely during the first playthrough)and I have played through it many times. Overall score: 9/10.