PS2 Game Review: Final Fantasy X

Squaresoft’s flagship role-playing series, Final Fantasy, is on Playstation 2 in a spectacular blend of great graphics, art, music, gameplay and cinematics. Final Fantasy X is a significant landmark in the series, bringing many changes to the traditional style while maintaining the classic feel of a Final Fantasy game. Final Fantasy X’s storyline covers the world of Spira and its enemy, Sin. The summoners of Spira aspire to train themselves for the day they face Sin and defeat it, bringing a peaceful era called The Calm to the people. Each summoner has warrior guardians for protection during the pilgrimage to Spira’s temples. In Final Fantasy X, you travel with the summoner Yuna and her guardians to each of the temples, gathering powers to use on Sin in the final confrontation.

Final Fantasy X brings together the best elements of the Final Fantasy games into one package. The traditional experience/level system of upgrading characters has been replaced by a sphere grid system where you earn points to move characters along a grid and pick up abilities on the way. The sphere grid system makes the player feel fully involved with the progression of the characters' powers; it feels much more intuitive than simply defeating monsters and automatically becoming stronger. Each character begins the game with unique abilities and characteristics, but a high level of customizability allows the player to build a character in any way. Characters retain their power attacks, called “Overdrives” and can use a special ability when the meter is fully charged. Unlike previous Final Fantasies, you can set the conditions for charging the Overdrive meter. You can use the traditional method which charges the meter whenever a character takes damage, but you can also have it charge when a character heals an ally, defeats or damages an enemy, wins a battle, or even when comrades are hurt. The active time battle system has been replaced by a strategic turn-based system where you can view a list of the upcoming turns in battle and plan your attack accordingly. It is possible, for example, to see that an enemy’s turn is coming soon and defeat the enemy before it has a chance to make a move, or prepare defensive measures against an enemy’s powerful special attack. Characters can trade places with each other on the fly, allowing you to immediately bring in specialists to deal with certain types of enemies. For example, Wakka is skillful at attacking flying creatures while Auron and Kimahri can pierce through armor-plated enemies. It is encouraged that you allow each character to participate in battle, because they will not become stronger unless they take an active role. The world map has been removed and the game’s environments are all directly connected with each other. A red arrow marker on the mini-map indicates your destination, ending the confusion of wandering around not knowing what to do next.

Final Fantasy X builds on the series’ reputation for outstanding graphics by bringing them entirely to the 3rd dimension. Most of the travel sequences are presented in full 3D graphics rather than the pre-rendered 2D backgrounds which were used in Final Fantasies VII - IX, meaning cinematic camera angles are possible and the characters can explore everything in full detail. A few flaws exist in the overworld’s graphics, mostly consisting of shimmering textures in the distance, but areas where these flaws stand out are far and few between, thanks to the detailed worlds and art direction. The special effects during battles are incredible, using the PS2’s full library of motion blur, electricity, fire, particle and smoke effects. The summoning spells are among the most visually impressive effects seen on PS2.

Final Fantasy X brings voice acting to the series. For a first effort, the actors did an admirable job of fleshing out the characters with genuine-sounding dialogue and emotions. Although the lips have not been synched with the original Japanese speech, the English voice actors tried to use matching syllables while retaining as much accuracy as possible. The music has a different feel to it than the previous Final Fantasies, but suits the game well. Each environment has the perfect music to complement it: lush green areas on a tropical island have an upbeat, cheery tune and the emotional scenes bring out heartfelt music. Tense, suspenseful scenes have an invigorating yet simple tune that builds upon the excitement.

Final Fantasy X is one of the best games in the series. It is easy to pick up and learn thanks to the helpful in-game tutorial sessions, and later on it proves to be a challenge, requiring every use of the strategic turn system and both offensive and defensive magic spells. The gameplay flows along smoothly and never hits an abrupt snag during its 40 plus hour length. Many secrets exist for those who like to continue playing a game after finishing it, further adding to its length. Final Fantasy X is a must-have game for every PS2 owner.

Official Site: www.squaresoft.com/playonline/FFX/index.html

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