It’s time for another Retro Ad Replay article, this time focusing on Final Fantasy X as it’s been 20 years since its release date! This is the series where we head backward in time to reminisce and celebrate the anniversary of some of the most significant moments in gaming. If you find yourself wanting more content like this, be sure to visit Mandatory.com.
In this December 17 edition of Retro Ad Replay, we’re traveling back 20 years in time to when Final Fantasy X released on PS2. That’s December 17, 2001. Featuring Blitzball player Tidus and his annoying laugh, FFX took players on a unique adventure through Spira, filled with twists and turns that made for a compelling and memorable story.
GameRevolution awarded Final Fantasy X a 9/10 in our review, praising how it has “stunning graphics,” a “solid story and consistent world,” “rich music,” a “cool battle system,” and “above average voices.”
One moment you are a star athlete, living in the limelight, adored by legions of fans. The next moment, you find yourself cast away from the comfort of stardom to a strange but eerily familiar land, forced to fend off fiends and guard the hope of the people. This is the story of Final Fantasy X.
Patricide, regicide, deicide, racial tensions, messianic trials, magic versus technology, faith… these are but some of the hodge-podge of thematic elements addressed in this highly anticipated game.
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Final Fantasy X is, without a doubt, the best RPG on the PS2. Hell, with competition like Ephemeral Fantasia and Okage, there isn’t much of a battle. FFX stays true to the Final Fantasy formula, offering an excellent battle system and a level of visual artistry that sets a new mark for others to follow, and the long-awaited addition of voices adds a dramatic element that’s been missing forever.
But with the steps forward come a few backward, like the inability to scene skip and the overly linear flow. Ultimately, it’s up to you to figure out if it’s as fantastic as it should be. For my money, I say it’s pretty darn close.
Check out the official Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD remaster trailer embedded below:
