Final Fantasy X
Categories: Cleanup from August 2005 | Final Fantasy X | 2001 computer and video games | PlayStation 2 games
| Final Fantasy X | |
| Image:Final Fantasy X logo.jpg | |
| Developer(s) | Square Co., Ltd. |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Release date(s) | July 19, 2001 (Japan)
December 20, 2001 (North America) January 31, 2002 (International) May 24, 2002 (Europe) |
| Genre | Role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 2 |
Final Fantasy X is the first installment of the Final Fantasy role-playing game series released on the PlayStation 2 and marks the transition to fully three-dimensional graphics instead of pre-rendered backdrops with the Sony PS2’s robust graphical capabilities. Final Fantasy X is also the first in the series to support voice acting, as well as the first to spawn a direct sequel, Final Fantasy X-2. Final Fantasy X was originally intended to feature online elements (which were dropped before completion), though it was never intended to be online-only.
Contents |
Gameplay
Final Fantasy X features the Conditional Turn-Based Battle System designed by Toshiro Tsuchida, in place of the series more traditional Active Time Battle (ATB) system. Conditional Turn-Based Battle is very similar to ATB, except that, instead of ticking off the passing time between attacks (which in Final Fantasy IX could take up to five seconds), the game simply skips that time and lets the next person attack, leading to rapid and fluid battles. The game also provides a graphical timeline along one side of the screen, allowing the player to quickly determine which characters and enemies are going next (and delay that enemy's movement either by using abilities such as the Slow spell or Tidus's Delay Hit, or simply killing that enemy off. Abilities to likewise hasten a party member's next turn become available later in the game). Doing enough damage to an enemy on the finishing stroke provides an "Overkill" bonus, namely extra experience points, as well as doubling the gil (money) and increasing the rareness of or doubling the amount of items dropped by the enemy.
Final Fantasy X only allows the player to use three characters at once (as in Final Fantasy VII and VIII), but the player is able to instantly rotate any in-play character for one of the other four. This party switching system had previously been used in Breath of Fire IV, but credit for popularizing it generally goes to Final Fantasy X. It started out as a measure of practicality: each character is relatively specialized, good at one or two things but poor at all others. Auron, for instance, does significant damage against large or heavily-armored foes, but often misses entirely when attacking agile enemies like wolves or birds (Tidus's and Wakka's specialties respectively). Lulu is of little value unless the player faces an enemy with an elemental weakness, at which point her strength becomes very useful. Taking the wrong party into a high-stakes battle, such as a boss fight, could lead to almost instant death in previous Final Fantasy games; now, instead, you have the entire party at your fingertips, and are never penalized for having the wrong characters in battle. (This trading-out system was so practical that a similar one, the Garment Grid, was devised for Final Fantasy X-2.) It also makes leveling up significantly easier, since the player is no longer forced to fight every battle with half the party (or more) sitting on the sidelines and receiving no experience. On the other hand, each character does have to perform at least one action (even if it's just blocking) to qualify for experience, which can make battles against weak enemies a bit tedious.
Final Fantasy X's leveling system is also original. It is called the Sphere Grid system. Instead of gaining the same stat bonuses at every level, each character simply gains a Sphere Level after collecting enough AP (or Ability Points), which lets them take a single step on the game-board-like Sphere Grid and unlock various bulk-size stat bonuses. Stat bonuses seem to be exponential: players can go from dealing less than one hundred points of damage to a maximum of 99,999 with a single strike. The Sphere Grid system also allows the characters to deviate from their traditional classes, such as making summoner Yuna a physical powerhouse and Auron a healer (though, since all portions adjoin to each other in a circular manner, all characters technically have a predetermined course). By functioning as a sort of mini-game, the Sphere Grid becomes rather a fun diversion instead of a chore. However, some of the more powerful items necessary to fully empower the characters are nearly impossible to find without a strategy guide.
Limit Breaks were renamed Overdrives. However, most of them are interactive, providing options of fighting game-style button inputs or feats of timing to increase damage. Furthermore, the game introduced Overdrive Modes, which allow the player to designate what actions--taking damage, casting healing or offensive spells, stealing items, attacking, or even simply taking a turn--causes the meter to fill. Filled meters could be reserved for future battles as in Final Fantasy VII. However, unlike Final Fantasy VII, a character is able to use physical attacks if the meter is full.
Summoning spells were revamped in Final Fantasy X. Instead of the desired creature appearing for a short time to deliver a burst of damage, summoned monsters, called Aeons, arrive to take the place of the party in battle. Over the course of the game, the player gains five of them, and additional ones can be earned through subquests. Aeons have their own stats, commands, special attacks, spells and Overdrives, and can be slain by the enemy. Besides offering the potential for heavy damage, they also offer protection as 'meat shields' against difficult bosses. Only Yuna can summon these "Aeons," and the Aeons themselves can level up with Yuna's statistics, as well as an exchange of certain spheres, items, etc.
Story
The driving force of Spira is the religion of Yevon. Adherents of Yevon are fervently opposed to the use of advanced technology (which they refer to as "machina"), and lead the fight in the perpetual war against the entity known as Sin.
Although the majority of Final Fantasy X's story takes place in the world and era of Spira, it begins in Zanarkand, the city that never sleeps. Tidus, a native of Zanarkand, is a 17-year-old blitzball star. When Zanarkand is suddenly attacked by an evil force known as Sin, Tidus fights alongside the mysterious character Auron against a fragment of Sin, a Sinspawn. While they are victorious, they are both sucked into the vortex of Sin's power, and Tidus wakes in the midst of ruins of a mysterious temple. Tidus learns he has been teleported to Spira, a world different from, but connected to, his Zanarkand.
Tidus is picked up by a group of Al Bhed, who speak a substitution cipher of his language (which can be translated by collecting items in the game), and who freely use machina as they are exiled by Yevonites. He meets the energetic young Al Bhed girl Rikku, who is the daughter of Cid, leader of the Al Bhed. Rikku speaks his language, and informs Tidus that Zanarkand was destroyed a millennium ago. Tidus is incredulous, and Rikku tells him since he was in contact with Sin he must be suffering the adverse effects of Sin's toxin. Tidus is brought aboard the Al Bhed ship, but after only a short time is swept out to sea in another attack from Sin.
This time, Tidus is washed up near the small town of Besaid, where he meets Wakka, apparently a blitzball player and captain of the local team (the Besaid Aurochs). Tidus shows Wakka and the Aurochs a powerful kick move he knew as a blitzball player. Wakka, impressed, takes Tidus with him to the town, where he is introduced to most of the rest of the playable cast through various levels of blundering explained away by Tidus's "amnesia". Yuna (of Bevelle, and daughter of High Summoner Braska) has just completed her initiation as a summoner of Yevon, one who is charged to defeat Sin. She sets out on her quest, along with guardians Wakka, Lulu (also of Besaid), and Kimahri Ronso (of the Ronso tribe). Later, the guardian Auron (the one who fought alongside Tidus in Zanarkand) joins the party, as does Rikku of the Al Bhed.
Tidus soon learns that the Zanarkand he is from was destroyed some thousand years in the past. Sin was forced into remission ten years ago, by a force comprised of High Summoner Braska, the warrior Auron, and Jecht. Tidus wonders if the Auron he knows could possibly be the same in this new era, and if the man called Jecht could actually be his father, assumed dead at sea ten years before (from Tidus's perspective of time). Ultimately, the party must confront Sin, unravel the mysteries of its perpetual return, and figure out exactly how Tidus and his father Jecht fit into this mystery.
Many of the characters in the world of Final Fantasy X appear in the sequel hinted at in the intermission video Final Fantasy X: Eternal Calm. The sequel, Final Fantasy X-2, features an exclusively female party which includes Yuna and Rikku.
Playable Characters
- Tidus - Tidus is a skilled player of blitzball and belongs to the Zanarkand Abes - originally his fathers team - who ended up in the world of Spira thanks to Sin and becomes one of Yuna's guardians. Tidus is usually a cheerful and confident person, but mostly because he lacks the knowledge of the truth behind Yuna's journey. Throughout the story, Tidus is shown to have bad relations with his father. His particular prowess is in hitting agile foes. His ultimate weapon is the Caladbolg. His Overdrives, in Final Fantasy tradition, involve barrages of sword attacks, and their damage can be enhanced by pressing 'X' on the set position. His name is pronounced as "Teeda" in the Japanese version of the game, yet it is still spelled Tidus in romaji.
- Yuna - Yuna is a summoner; powerful beings of Spira that, like the name implies, summons the entities of Yevon; the Aeons. She has taken on the duty as a summoner to defeat the immortal entity known as Sin. Her task is ever more difficult because she is burdened with the fact that her father (High Summoner Braska) was the man who defeated Sin ten years earlier; and so she is forced to take on his legacy being expected to achieve only perfection in her journey. Her class allows her to fit the traditional cleric/white mage role of the party, as well as being able to summon powerful magical entities (aeons). Her weapons are a variety of staves, with her ultimate staff being the Nirvana. It is Yuna's responsibility as a summoner to journey to every temple, acquire the aeon there, and ultimately summon the Final Aeon to defeat Sin; the other party members are merely there to safeguard her passage. Her Overdrive, Grand Summon, brings an Aeon in with a fully-charged Overdrive meter, regardless of what it had before.
- Auron - The enigmatic Auron is a powerful warrior, attacking with his huge blade with stunning force. Auron strongly resembles a Ronin (a samurai without a master), since he was one of the guardians of High Summoner Braska, his 'master', who is now deceased. Ultimately, Auron can wield the Masamune, a frequently recurring weapon in Squaresoft games. Auron's quiet, mysterious, and dangerous nature helped make him very popular with fans. His Bushido Overdrives use arcade-style button inputs to increase damage. A while after the dissapearance of Tidus' father, Auron became Tidus' guardian, watching over him (claiming it as a returned favor for Tidus' father).
- Wakka - Wakka is the captain of a local blitzball team, the Besaid Aurochs, from the isle of Besaid who meets Tidus after he washes ashore and serves as Tidus' first good friend. Wakka is fiercely loyal to the Yevon religion, and introduces Tidus to the teachings of the Yevonites. He is very distrustful of the Al Bhed, and is shown to have problematic issues with Rikku when they first meet. Wakka is like an older brother to Yuna, and is very protective of her. He also shows signs of affection for Lulu. His weapon is a blitzball, useful against aerial enemies, and his ultimate weapon is the blitzball World Champion. His Overdrive, Slots, can have varying effects depending on what kind of slot he uses (elemental, status-affliction and Blitzball are only three examples). His overdrives are obtained as Blitzball Tournament prizes.
- Kimahri Ronso - Kimahri is Yuna's first and most faithful guardian. He has known and protected Yuna since she was a child. However, he was not well accepted by the other Ronso, who view him as inferior due to his short stature (although he still towers over the non-Ronso characters) and his broken horn. Kimahri doesnt speak much, and is very protective of Yuna. In Kimahri's class one can see echoes of the dragoons of older Final Fantasy games (weapon choice, a jump attack) and of blue mage classes (the 'Lancet' ability lets him learn enemy attacks, which he deploys in his Overdrive: Ronso Rage). Kimrahi's Spirit Lance is his ultimate weapon, and it can be noted that spear or lance weapons have been a staple of the dragoon class for some time. In terms of gameplay, Kimahri is the only character lacking a pre-determined course on the Sphere Grid, allowing the player to choose his abilities and talents from the beginning.
- Lulu - Lulu is another of Yuna's guardians, and the most protective. She is a gloomy person, but is kind hearted towards Yuna and her friends. Lulu is a black mage, and uses a variety of dolls as weapons. Her ultimate weapon is the Onion Knight (notable both for being a character from an earlier Final Fantasy game, and being the result of dodging a maddening 200 consecutive bolts of lightning on the Thunder Plains). She is initially very skeptical of Tidus' participation in the quest, and of his "amnesia", but even the grumpy Lulu ultimately accepts Tidus' involvement in the party. Her Overdrive, Fury, allows the player to cast multiple spells for free by quickly rotating the right analog stick.
- Rikku - Rikku helps Tidus when he first arrives in Spira, but then disappears from the plot for a while, becoming the last character to join the team. Rikku has a variety of clawlike weapons, her ultimate equipment being the Godhand. Rikku's class is most similar to that of a thief from earlier Final Fantasy games, combined with the Alchemist job of Final Fantasy V. Rikku's ability to steal, use a subset of items that no one else can, and, as her Overdrive, Mix, can mix two of any item for greater effect, makes her one of the most versatile characters in the party. Rikku has a fear of lightning, due to an accident involving Brother (His true name is never revealed) attempting to cast a lightning spell on a fiend, but accidentally hitting her. Her attitude is a bit childish but none the less cheerful and positive of things. Although she is an Al Bhed, she is Yuna's cousin. Her name is pronounced "Ryukku" in the Japanese version of the game, though still spelled Rikku in romaji.
For a complete list of the game's characters, see List of Final Fantasy X characters.
Geography
The world of Final Fantasy X is called Spira. It is composed of one continent and several islands. Basically life in Spira is simple, because the technological civilization was destroyed by an evil being known as Sin. Zanarkand is located on the north edge of Spira, but it was reduced to ruins by Sin 1,000 years before the events of Final Fantasy X. Bevelle is said to be the spiritual centre of Yevonite devotion. Despite this, it is still a large city. It is built on a series of layers, with the headquarters of Yevon at the top.
Final Fantasy X deviates from previous Final Fantasy games in its lack of a true overworld navigation system. All areas are physically contiguous and never exit out to an overworld map, with the exception of a few hidden areas. In addition their connections are mostly linear, providing for basically one path through the game. An airship becomes available later on in the game with a pseudo-overworld map, but in reality it is just a point and click interface that allows the player to choose an area to warp to. Boarding the airship is done "magically" from outdoor save points in the game and the airship will allow the players to disembark at any of those save points. The main point of this system is to allow the characters to very quickly get back and forth from one end of the world to the other.
For a complete description of the geography of Final Fantasy X, see Spira.
Soundtrack
- Main article: Final Fantasy X Original Soundtrack
Final Fantasy X is the first time Nobuo Uematsu has had any assistance in composing music for Final Fantasy games. His assistants for Final Fantasy X were Masashi Hamauzu and Junya Nakano. The game was designed to convey an Okinawan mood, and several songs in the soundtrack reflect this theme. The game includes two songs with lyrics, one of which is the J-pop ballad Suteki Da Ne, which, like the ballads from Final Fantasy VIII and IX (Eyes on Me (In-game version sample) ▶(?), (orchestrated version sample) ▶(?) and Melodies of Life in-game version sample ▶(?), orchestrated version sample ▶(?)), has an in-game version sample ▶(?) and a version orchestrated sample ▶(?) as part of the ending theme. Both were sung by Japanese folk singer Nakano Ritsuki, later known as Rikki. Suteki Da Ne is sung in Japanese both in the Japanese and English versions of Final Fantasy X. The song title Suteki Da Ne (素敵だね) translates to "Isn't it Wonderful?". The other song with lyrics is the heavy metal opening theme Otherworld sample ▶(?), which is sung in English, but is somewhat incoherent.
Cultural aspects
Many elements of Final Fantasy X are drawn from Japanese culture and folklore. Notably, the names of most of the main cast are drawn from either Okinawan words (Yuna is the name of a flower) or Ainu words (Wakka means "water"). Many of the duties of the summoner, and the overall design of Yuna's clothing, are reminiscent of those of a Shinto shrine maiden, as well.
The world of Spira itself is very different from the mainly European-style worlds found in previous Final Fantasy games. Spira is much more closesly modelled on southeast Asia.
Trivia
- Until their names were confirmed, Rikku and Seymour were called "Kitt" and "Ryugo." Another name was that canceled upon confirmation was "Hayate."
- The three Aeons known as the Magus Sisters originated in Final Fantasy IV as bosses inside the Tower of Zot.
- Although Tidus is the lead character in the story, he is the only character whose name is never spoken by anyone in the entire game. This is because Final Fantasy X is the first game in the series to feature voice acting, but since the game follows the Final Fantasy tradition of allowing the player to name the lead anything he or she wishes, it was impossible to have his name included as part of the spoken dialogue in the script. His name in the original Japanese version was "Tida" (pronounced tee-da).
- The European release of Final Fantasy X includes a bonus DVD-ROM entitled Beyond Final Fantasy. The disc includes interviews with the designers of the game, including executive producer Hironobu Sakaguchi, producer Yoshinori Kitase, sound producer Nobuo Uematsu, scenario writer Kazushige Nojima, designer Tetsuya Nomura, and programmer Takashi Katano, and with two English language voice actors, James Arnold Taylor (Tidus) and Hedy Burress (Yuna). Also included are two Final Fantasy X trailers, the Tokyo Game Show and E3 previews for Kingdom Hearts, and the original theatrical trailer for Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. A gallery of Final Fantasy X artwork, including storyboards, image boards, and illustrations from Tetsuya Nomura and Yoshitaka Amano, and a music video of "Suteki Da Ne" as performed by Rikki round out the disc.
Voice cast
English language version
- James Arnold Taylor — Tidus
- Hedy Burress — Yuna/Fayth (Anima)
- Matt McKenzie — Auron
- John DiMaggio — Wakka/Kimhari
- Paula Tiso — Lulu
- Tara Strong — Rikku
- Alex Fernandez — Maester Seymour Guado
- Gregg Berger — Jecht
- Andrew Philpot — Lord Braska
- Michael McShane — Cid
- Roger Jackson — Maester Wen Kinoc/Fayth (Ixion)
- John DeMita — Luzzu/Barthello/Hypello/Graav
- Adam Paul — Gatta
- Candi Milo — Dona, Lucil, Pacce
- Julia Fletcher — Elma/Yunalesca
- Matt Miller — Clasko
- Sherry Lynn — Shelinda/Fayth (Shiva)
- Tom Kenny — Rin/Wantz/Bobba
- Quinton Flynn — Issaru/Bickson
- Robbie Rist — Maroda/Fayth (Ifrit)
- Dwight Schultz — Maechen/O'aka XXIII/Maester Mika
- Corey Burton — Trommel Guado/Maester Kelk Ronso
- Andre Sogliuzzo — Zuke
- David Rasner — Brother
- Debi Derryberry — Fayth (Bahamut)
- Cree Summer — Lady Belgemine/Young Tidus
Japanese language version
- Masakazu Morita — Tidus
- Mayuko Aoki — Yuna
- Hideo Ishikawa — Auron
- Kazuya Nakai — Wakka
- Rio Natsuki — Lulu
- Marika Matsumoto — Rikku
- Masuo Amada — Jecht
- Junichi Suwabe — Seymour Guado
- Kouichi Sakaguchi — Cid
- Takayuki Yamaguchi — Brother, Clasko, Wantz
- Takuma Suzuki — Braska, Maechen
- Nanaho Katsuragi — Donna
- Jun Ishimaru — Barthello, Father Zuke
- Kayoko Fujii — Belgemine
- Momomori Sumomo — Elma
- Sayaka Ouhara — Lucil
- Shunsuke Sakuya — Rin
- Miki Nagasawa — Shelinda
- Ryuuzou Ishino — Luzzu, Tromell Guado
- Hiroshi Kamiya — Gatta
- Satou Masaharu — Jyscal Guado
- Ugaki Hidenari — Wes Kinoc, O'aka XXIII
- Suyama Akio — Isaaru
- Nakai Masataka — Maroda
- Kumai Motoko — Pacce
- Youko Koyanagi — Yunalesca
Packaging artwork
 Final Fantasy X |
 Final Fantasy X |
 Final Fantasy X International |
 Final Fantasy X |
External links
| Final Fantasy X |
|
Tidus —
Yuna —
Auron —
Wakka —
Kimahri —
Lulu —
Rikku Final Fantasy X: Jecht, Braska Final Fantasy X-2: Paine — Baralai, Nooj, Gippal, Shuyin, Lenne |
| Final Fantasy series |
|---|
| I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII |
| Compilations and collections |
| I-II | Collection | Anthology | Chronicles | Origins | Dawn of Souls |
| Spinoffs and related titles |
| Before Crisis | Crisis Core | Dirge of Cerberus | X-2 | Rise of the Zilart | Chains of Promathia | Treasures of Aht Urhgan | Crystal Chronicles | Mystic Quest | Tactics | Tactics Advance | Kingdom Hearts | Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories | Kingdom Hearts II |
| Film and television |
| Advent Children | Last Order | Legend of the Crystals | The Spirits Within | Unlimited |
fr:Final Fantasy X it:Final Fantasy X ja:ファイナルファンタジーX pt:Final Fantasy X sv:Final Fantasy X