Final Fantasy is one of the most well-known and iconic JRPG franchises and one of the most popular video games RPG franchises in general. Though there are several classic games in the series, one Final Fantasy title stands out from the rest. Final Fantasy X is a beloved entry that's one of the last "classic" entries in the series and a great place to start with the venerable franchise.
In many ways, Final Fantasy X reinvented the look and feel of the series for a new era and console generation, being to the PlayStation 2 what the iconic Final Fantasy VII was to its predecessor. Compared to other entries in the series, Final Fantasy X is perfect as the first step to the wider franchise than any other game in the series.
What Is Final Fantasy X About and Like?
Like most Final Fantasy games, Final Fantasy X doesn't share a direct connection with previous titles in the series (though many speculate it may secretly be set in the same world as Final Fantasy VII). Set in the world of Spira, the story revolves around a young athlete named Tidus who hails from the city of Zanarkand. He comes to Spira after his city is destroyed by the monstrous Sin, who quickly begins ravaging all of the land.
Tidus allies himself with a group of warriors and other athletes such as the summoner Yuna, fellow blitzball star Wakka and the warrior Kimahri. The game's designs and mechanics are both a breath of fresh air and a return to form for the franchise, as previous installments were still seeing a radical shift in tone and story following the revolutionary success of Final Fantasy VII. In the case of the former, the typical European-style fantasy aesthetics of the franchise theretofore were done away with in favor of a look more inspired by Southeast Asia, namely Thailand. Likewise, the battle system went from Active Time Battle System introduced in the fourth game to the Conditional Turn-Based Battle System, which was more like traditional turn-based combat. While these changes likely mean more to older fans, it still makes the game accessible for newbies.
Why Is Final Fantasy X Such a Great Starting Point
The aforementioned turn-based battle system is likely what most people imagine when they think of JRPGs, so having it as opposed to the Final Fantasy series' more esoteric Active Time Battle System is probably an easier way to bring in newcomers. This makes it feel somewhat reminiscent of the first games in the series without being as outdated. Likewise, Final Fantasy X was the first game in the series to do away with pre-rendered graphics and instead take place in a completely three-dimensional environment. The full voice acting also makes it the first truly modern Final Fantasy experience.
The fact that there's no connection to previous games and even an aesthetic break from them also helps to ease people in, as it makes the game feel far more distinct than more traditional games like Final Fantasy VI or even the iconic VII. The fact that it's well-regarded yet lacks quite the same amount of applause as VII also keeps it from having the same baggage or expectations that the franchise's most well-known entry brings with it.
It's also one of the most accessible games regarding which consoles it can be played on. Final Fantasy X was initially released on the PlayStation 2, so of course, anyone with that console can go back to the original version and play it. For gamers with more modern consoles, however, it's even easier to get a hold of. The game was given a glossier coat of paint and packaged with its direct sequel in Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster. This game was released for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, the Xbox One, Windows and the Nintendo Switch. That this contains the sequel is even better, as gamers can then directly continue the story. Final Fantasy X-2 isn't considered to be as good as its predecessor, but to be fair, it had some big shoes to fill.