Final Fantasy X and X-2 HD Remaster: It’s not a Sin to dive back in!

Final Fantasy X is a Japanese JRPG that places you in the shoes of Tidus, a young professional sportsman, who is quickly pulled out of his comfort zone, into a crazy new world. You are tasked with the challenge of supporting the Summoner Yuna in her quest to rid the world of Sin, an evil presence that destroys everything in its path.

X-2 is the continuation of that story, playing as Yuna as you try to save the world once again. FFX and X-2 play like your standard JRPG, You fight baddies, you level up and you fight bosses to progress the story, rinse, and repeat.

Both games brought new elements to the Final Fantasy series FFX brining the Sphere grid, which allows you to either follow a set path to level up your character or branch out and try something unique, and the conditional turn-based battle system which allows you to plan your moves out on a timeline showing whose turn it is to attack.

Both systems have held up really well and do not feel dated. FFX-2 brought us Dresspheres and the garment grid. The Dresspheres harp back to older games in the series that allowed you to pick the class of your character, this is done by changing their attire.

The Garment grid allows you to have a mix of Dresspheres for your characters to switch into to change your teams dynamic at any time, much like the paradigm system in Final Fantasy XIII. Both systems are unique but play really well and give you a sense of freedom and exploration in your playstyle.

It’s been a long time since Final Fantasy X and X-2 were first released. Back in 2002 FFX was our first taste of the series on the then gaming console of choice, the PS2. It was well received across the world, hailed for its impressive graphics and emotionally moving story that kept players gripped to the end.

While FFX-2 did not receive the same amount of love, it was still an interesting and varied addition to the series. Trying something different with the winning formula of its predecessor innovated on the combat in a unique way.

There was an importance to these games as it was the first time that a Final Fantasy had voice actors. The Final Fantasy series was known for its ability to build the most beautiful games with luxurious detailing in the worlds and characters alike.

Square-Enix has updated the game and released this collection numerous times over the last few years and now it’s time for the Nintendo hybrid console to get a taste. This versions of these PS2 classics come with some great additions like improved graphics and additional end game content.

One of the polarising additions is the addition of over 60 rearranged tracks for FFX. For many, it will be seen as blasphemous to make a change to the soundtrack that accompanied them over many hours of grinding but I believe that having the option to listen to an updated audio experience is as important as the graphics and welcome addition.

The world in which FFX and X-2 are set, Spira, is a beautiful and detailed world, only enriched by the enhanced graphics.

It has many unique and diverse areas to explore from the beach towns to thunderous planes, each brings a new layer to this incredible world. In a move away from the usual affair of Western medieval fantasy, the team created a tropical Asian theme with hints of post-apocalypse provide one of the most unique settings for any Final Fantasy game.

It brings a bright and colourful world for players to explore that’s still a joy to traverse to this day. Its design comes at an interesting time in the timeline of Final Fantasy games; it moved away from the explorable open world globe made famous by its predecessors.

Choosing to focus itself on a more linear progression through these zones, with the option to revisit previous locations towards the end-game.

It was a bold move that worked in the most part by keeping the random encounters and allowing players to progress character development how these chose to. This was expanded and developed even more-so in X-2 and provided even more variation on how to level up your band of misfits.

CONCLUSION: Final Fantasy X and X-2 are masterpieces of the JRPG genre, and time hasn’t changed that. The delightful world and expertly crafted systems are enjoyable every step of the way. Updated graphics, additional content and now playable on the hottest console going make this a welcome addition to new and returning players.

source: express.co.uk