Final Fantasy X

If video game historians ever became tenured professors at a renowned university, much of their scholarly endeavors would be directed toward the question of how and why the PSone was able to command an unwavering lead in the 32-bit era. This question would be the center of heated debate at international conferences and countless papers. Even so, one incontestable element would be the significance of Square’s console RPG, Final Fantasy VII. In Japan, Square had been considered one of the best developers in the genre and their commitment to the CD-ROM and Sony’s PlayStation made the system an easy choice for gamers. Final Fantasy VII had an even grander role in the US, as it transformed RPGs as something esoteric for the hardcore gamer into a more acceptable and appealing pastime. Before Final Fantasy VII, only a handful of Square’s RPGs made it to the US; our Final Fantasy III was Japan’s Final Fantasy VI. After FF7, every RPG Square has produced has come to our shores and the PlayStation became the RPG platform of choice. It would not be hyperbole to say that Square is as important to the console world as id is to the PC world. Those historians of the future would likely look back on Final Fantasy X with similar respect.

Intro screen

Hello Tidus

Wakka wakka

PS2 only

Like FF7 before it, having Final Fantasy X exclusive to the PlayStation 2 secured Sony an early international lead in this console war. FFX is probably directly responsible for millions of PS2’s sold. In Japan alone, FFX sold almost 2 million copies in the first week and Square predicts worldwide sales of 10 million copies after all is said and done. Though Final Fantasy X did not receive the same amount of hype as Metal Gear Solid 2 did, we still had enormous expectations for the game. After playing, we now realize just how important Final Fantasy X is for the whole genre.

We can say without any hesitation that Final Fantasy X is the console RPG with the most universal appeal. What needs to be stressed is that Square has achieved this not by “dumbing down” the game for the masses, but by streamlining and carefully polishing the narrative and presentation. Not only is the story quite involving and touching, but the pacing of the up to 80-hour narrative is superb. Anytime I felt as if the game was beginning to slow down the next event would bring me back into the well-developed story.

Stroll down the pier

Colorful

Motion blur

There will be those who lament the loss of the “classic Square era” when things were simpler with a truly “fantasy” setting, when the characters where like noble knights on a quest as opposed to the teenagers in tropical worlds of Final Fantasy X. While the old-school RPGs from Square are good, the new direction of Final Fantasy X is one with significant promise as well. The western tradition of Arthurian fantasy is one that has become so familiar to us that it no longer seems unusual or fantastic. For this game, Square crafted an imaginary world with stronger Eastern influences. The result is an international world where even the player is unable to predict what setting will come next, where things truly do seem exotic and foreign and yet have traces of familiarity. Just in case you’re worried that an Asian influenced storyline is one that may be difficult to appreciate, it’s useful to remember that according to George Lucas himself, Star Wars: A New Hope is largely adapted and inspired from Akira Kurosawa’s Hidden Fortress.