Since the release of Final Fantasy XII in 2006, Square Enix's games, especially the Final Fantasy series, have fallen short of the typically high standards fans have come to expect from them. This review is taking a look back at the golden years when Square could do no wrong. Final Fantasy X was released in 2001. It was the first Final Fantasy game I played, and it is my favorite game in the series. You start out as a sports star in the city of Zanarkand who is thrust into the unfamiliar world of Spira that follows the teachings of Yevon. Yevon is essentially God for these people. The teachings of Yevon state that when the world atones for its sins, using machina (machines) to eliminate all strenous labor, they will be able to eliminate the monster Sin that causes destruction all over. At the current time, the only relief the people can obtain from Sin is when a summoner completes their pilgrimage and starts a period of time known as "the Calm". Sin can only be "defeated" through the calling of the "final Aeon". The problem this presents, is that summoners are killed when they call the final Aeon. As the game develops holes start to appear in the story you were told about Spira's past and Yevon's teachings. The main character, Tidus, travels with the summoner Yuna and her guardians. Her guardians originally consist of just Wakka, Lulu, and Kimahri, but soon grow to include the legendary guardian Auron and the Al-Bhed ("heathen") Rikku. As Yuna travels on her pilgramige to the temples all over Spira in order to eventually get the "final Aeon" in Zanarkand. Throughout the story Tidus believes that he will somehow be able to get to his home from this world's Zanarkand. When the party finally reaches Zanarkand, having bonded through their journey, they are informed by Lady Yunalesca that one of the guardians must be sacrificed to form the final Aeon. It is also revealed that the final Aeon defeats Sin, but is taken over by Yu Yevon who turns it into the new Sin. This is the cycle of death that has enveloped Spira for hundreds of years. Yuna refuses to sacrifice one of her guardians. She says, "I live for the people of Spira, and would have gladly died for them, but no more! The Final Summoning is a false tradition that should be thrown away." Upon hearing this, Lady Yunalesca, believing Yuna is speaking out of a hopelessness for the future attacks the party to end their suffering. Auron rallies the team saying, "Now! This is it! Now is the time to choose! Die and be free of pain, or live and fight your sorrow! Now is the time to shape your stories! Your fate is in your hands!". After defeating Lady Yunalesca the party decides to find another way to vanquish Sin. Eventually the plan to land inside Sin and defeat Yu Yevon is formed. The party lands in Sin, fights to Tidus's father, Jecht, who sacrificed himself to become Braska's final Aeon and start the last Calm. Jecht and Tidus share a moment before the party is thrust into battle against Braska's final Aeon which is under the control of Yu Yevon. After the party defeats Jecht and grants him peace, they defeat Yu Yevon and end the cycle of death that had encompassed Spira for so long. *SPOILER ALERT* Auron, it is revealed, was dead the entire time he was fighting with you, and he is finally at peace and can rest at the end of the game. Tidus was a dream of the Aeon's, and he vanishes as they awaken.
Scores:
Character development: 10/10
Story: 9/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Replayability: 9/10
Side quests: 10/10
-Immersive side quests add hours of gameplay to a game that is already easily 30+ hours of entertainment
Overall: 10/10
