The Greatest JRPG of the 2000s Hits So Much Harder Today

by

The Final Fantasy series is one of the most recognizable in gaming history. It started in 1987 and continues to be popular, but many fans consider Final Fantasy X to be its high point, released in the 2000s.

Final Fantasy X was a groundbreaking game that redefined the Final Fantasy series and the JRPG genre. Released almost 25 years ago, its impact is still felt today, making it the standout JRPG of the 2000s.

Final Fantasy X’s World Feels Alive

Final Fantasy X (FFX) takes place in Spira, a world that drew heavily from real-world locations – more so than previous Final Fantasy games. Designers looked to countries like Thailand and Japan for inspiration, making Spira feel more believable and immersive.

The game starts in Zanarkand, a city inspired by Samarkand in Uzbekistan. Here, players meet Tidus, a popular and talented star athlete who plays the game’s central sport, blitzball.

Shortly after the city of Zanarkand is attacked by a mysterious creature known as Sin, it’s destroyed. Tidus suddenly finds himself in Spira, where he’s saved by Al Bhed people who salvage items. They tell him that Sin attacked Zanarkand in a similar way before.

Tidus quickly encounters Yuna, a summoner embarking on a journey to defeat Sin and finally bring peace to the world. He decides to join her and help save Spira.

The detailed world of Final Fantasy X greatly enhances the story, but it also stands out from previous games in other ways. Unlike earlier titles that used the Active Time Battle system, FFX features a traditional turn-based combat system, and players can now switch between characters during battles. Because of these changes, many fans consider it one of the best in the series.

Final Fantasy X took full advantage of the PlayStation 2’s capabilities, delivering stunning graphics and a seamless world to explore without loading screens. For many fans, it was the Final Fantasy game they had always wanted.

The Final Fantasy Franchise Desperately Needed to Change

Many people forget that after fourteen years, the Final Fantasy series needed a major overhaul. Square Enix knew this and aimed for significant changes, ultimately investing about $32.30 million in developing the next installment.

By the time Final Fantasy X was released, the Final Fantasy series had been around for 14 years. Although the earlier games on PlayStation were very popular, the franchise needed a modern update. Square spent about $32.30 million developing FFX to make it feel like a truly new generation of gaming.

Most of the budget for Final Fantasy X was dedicated to upgrading the series from 2D to fully 3D graphics, building on the 3D models used in earlier PlayStation games. It was also the first Final Fantasy title to feature complete voice acting, with talented actors like James Arnold Taylor and Hedy Burress voicing the characters.

While some game series had trouble adapting to the PlayStation 2, Final Fantasy was a major success. It quickly became a standout title and further boosted the franchise’s popularity.

Final Fantasy X Redefined JRPGs

Final Fantasy X was a huge hit right away. In Japan, it sold 2.14 million copies in its first week, exceeding Square’s expectation of 2 million. By the time the PlayStation 2 was discontinued, the game had sold a total of 8.5 million copies.

The game was also a hit with critics, who especially loved its innovative battle system. Many fans consider this to be the high point of the Final Fantasy series, and it hasn’t been surpassed since.

Final Fantasy X had a big impact on role-playing games, particularly in how stories are told and how the games are played. The Persona series is a great example of this influence, letting players take their time during battles and really explore the game world.

Read More

2026-01-07 21:41