Final Fantasy X is a stunning and engaging experience.
User Rating: 9.6 | Final Fantasy X (Mega Hits!) PS2
The Final Fantasy series is loved by millions, and generates a massive amount of hype with each and every offering. Many consider Final Fantasy VII to be the best in the long running series because of the massive leaps and upgrades it offered over previous versions. For those of you that expect the same with this iteration, you will be disappointed. However, if you can look past your expectations of another FFVII caliber experience, you will find a wonderfully told tale that fits right in with the Final Fantasy series as one of it's best offerings. Story: You are Tidus, a young man who is a star blitzball player in his homeland of Zanarkand. One day during a match "Sin" comes and attacks Zanarkand and transports Tidus 1000 years into the future where he will fight to defeat sin. The plot is much more complex as you would assume, offering twists and suprises along the way. The narrative in the cutscenes is done with voice-overs that sound great. Cutscenes are masterfully woven together to bring the story life, unlike any Final Fantasy before it. It takes a little while to get going, but if you stick through the first 5-10 hours, you will be treated to a grand story, of epic proportions. Gameplay: Random turn-based battles are how you'll be spending most of your time in FFX. The battle system is fun and engaging. The characters in your party all have specific strengths and weaknesses depending on how you develop them, and fit in to the battle system perfectly. Many people will be turned of by the slow pace of some battles, but they are much quicker than previous titles. The puzzles are my only complaint as they are pretty obvious most of the time, and poorly done. Graphics: Quite possibly one of the top ten looking PS2 games of all time. Never before have players faces expressed such emotion for any title on any platform. Each characters design is top-notch and beautiful to look at. Most of the enviroments are well done and varied. Sound: A wonderfully composed soundtrack (that is to be expected from a FF game) plays beautifully in the background. It sets the mood for the emotional parts of the story and never lets up. Superb soundtrack and voiceovers. Value: For RPG fans this is a no-brainer. Even if you don't like RPG's give this one a shot, it's well worth your time. Bottom Line: Not the best Final Fantasy title ever, but worth of the Final Fantasy name nonetheless. 
