LogFAQs > #951506608

#7. Final Fantasy X (PS2, 2001)
This game still holds up. The style no longer does, but somehow the game does anyway and I find that incredibly impressive. When I replayed it when FFX Remaster came out several years ago, I found myself still greatly enjoying (ALMOST) every part of it, and some of that sure, might be nostalgia, but a lot of it is not. The fact that this was the first RPG I ever played (besides the Pokemon games) not withstanding, as I never really played that style of game until I borrowed this one off of a friend because I saw him playing it and it looked cool.



Anyway, there is so much to like about this game. It looks absolutely beautiful for its time and the remasters look great too, even trying to de-render those famous PS2 renders. The music on the whole is great (not fantastic), but very memorable. There are some fantastic tracks like the dulcet tones of To Zanarkand, the THUMP THUMPing of Someday the Dream Will End, and my favorite track in the game- Seymour Omnis. Otherworld though. Man. The first time I heard this (well, second, at the end of the game. I dont think I processed it at the start of the game), I could not stop laughing. The temple themes are also memorable I think thats a good thing but Im not sure. The prerendered cutscenes though have always looked great- and that opening Blitzball game, plus the Yuna dancing scene (ok ok and that one scene on the lake), plus the whole Listen to my Story intro (not pre-rendered) are some of the most visually memorable gaming experiences Ive seen. Muscle memory though? Obviously however many times weve heard the spiel before the Seymour 3, and the Yunalesca fights. I think I might be able to do bits and pieces of those cutscenes still.



The story and characters very memorable. Enjoyable characters that most of us can still quote and enjoy to this day. Obviously looking back, a lot of them do wind up maybe a bit annoying, stereotyped, or what have you. But theres so much memorable stuff about all of them, its obviously had a lasting impact. Hah hah hah hah hah. All of the characters have a lot to like about them, even if Wakka is kind of a racist dick. The story is a goddamn mess and a lot of times I still have no idea whats going on, its sort of time travel but not really and Tidus may or may not exist, and theres so much stuff that makes no stuff, but again. Its endearing. I appreciate it. I like it.



The battle system is very compelling, I never really liked ATB systems all that much and prefer a more think it over/tactical style than just trying to get in as many attacks as possible quickly in a time limit in my RPGs. So being able to see the turn order and how its affected by using various moves was a huge selling point to me. Further, being able to freely swap characters in and out without wasting a turn adds to how you can strategize too, and allows the game to have its battles actually be more strategic and that is fun! Being able also to customize weapons was a great addition, and of course, the Sphere Grid is legendary, starting off developing your characters down specific paths, but then giving you the freedom to branch off as you please if you want to get a bit creative and have a tank Yuna or Black Mage Auron or what have you.

Then you have the side content, and this is where the game really shines. There is SO much to do and (ALMOST) all of it is so interesting, fun, and well-worthy of your time sink into these events. Trying to do all the stuff to get the ultimate weapons, all the side dungeons, the dark aeons (in the remaster), the Al Bhed primers/passwords, the endless content of capturing monsters for Monster Arena and fighting the side bosses, the Cactuar Village, travelling around pre-end game with the airship, even the annoying stuff like lightning dodging, Chocobo Racing, butterfly capturing I love all of it

..



But Im sorry. I just think Blitzball is the worst minigame ever. I dont hate it though. I like it in THEORY. I loved it as a kid. It ALMOST works. Its just so damn easy to break by hiding behind the net, and even if you dont do that, its just so incredibly easy besides that almost impossible to win first match, but hell, you know we all kept resetting until we won that won. That was at least a challenge. I feel like this game is SO CLOSE to being really good, it just becomes mind numblingly easy, especially once you recruit all the good FAs. You know the ones. Mostly the Al Bhed, like Eigaar and Nimrook.

Anyway. There is so much good and so much memorable about this game. It has a lot of flaws, but ultimately everything else endearing and memorable about this game stands out so much, its impossible for me not to love.


Next up: This is a game from a genre that has not shown up on my top 100 so far.

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~Wigs~ 3-Time Consecutive Fantasy B8 Baseball Champion
2015 NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPION NEW YORK METS