Revisiting Final Fantasy X

Let's face it, it has been a very long time since a new Final Fantasy game has been released. What's that you say? Final Fantasy Tactics Advance this? Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles that? FFX-2 Girls Gone Wild addition? Online addiction? Don't even get me started. I am talking about a true Final Fantasy sequel, FFXII!

I didn't quite realize how badly I was jonesing for a new FF until my wife fired up Final Fantasy X on the weekend. I am currently playing Xenosaga II and was amazed to find that Final Fantasy X looks better, plays better, is more in depth and is over 4 years older!

I have to give it up to Square Enix (Squeenix?), they really pushed the limits of the system when they released FFX. Never before had I seen such detailed animations and cinemas that made use of one of the most impressive in-game engines I have yet to see.

So much depth was put into every aspect of this game. The story is cool, the graphics are, in the words of my wife, "impressive", the music is catchy and fitting and the voice acting? Well, ummm, the graphics are nifty!

I need another Final Fantasy game that truly pushes the envelope. Say what you will about Chronicles (too gimmicky), Tactics Advance (too watered down), FFXI (too online) but I miss the days when each subsequent release of the series would blow your mind.

FFVI (III in North America) raised the bar for what was possible using sprites by creating a sprawling, epic quest the likes of which had never been seen on Nintendo's work horse. FFVII opened up RPGs to the mainstream by providing a stunning graphical performance and subsequently launching RPGs into the next generation. FFVIII, which contained a few annoying aspects, was none the less a graphical behemoth that tryed out several new concepts and pushed the Playstation to it's maximum potential. FFIX, well, it copied from some very venerable sources.

All in all, I am truly enjoying going through FFX again, this time from a viewer's perspective. I can't believe I am actually finding myself missing the misadventures of Tidus and crew. Now I need something new to once again make me believe in the series. Come on Square Enix, enough delays, I want my FFXII!

Lee Babin | 7.4.2005 [return]

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