Final Fantasy X Walkthrough and Strategy Guide

Final Fantasy X

Final Fantasy X was released in 2001, re-released, and remastered in high resolution (HD). It was the first game in the Final Fantasy series to feature 3D backgrounds instead of the pre-rendered backgrounds in the previous games. It was among the most popular games in the series. The game was the first to have an official sequel title (Final Fantasy X-2).

This site section contains complete walkthroughs for the game with screenshots and detailed walkthroughs for each part of the Cloister of Trials. Look over this Walkthrough Section and sections for sidequests and Sidequest section for additional details.

Review

Final Fantasy X is one of the most enjoyable games from the Final Fantasy franchise. The series moved to the PlayStation console and then the PlayStation 2. The creators have done a fantastic job of taking the best elements that made earlier Final Fantasy titles great while eliminating some of the annoying features that made them a mess.

To begin, the graphics of the game are stunning. The shift from 2D pre-rendered backgrounds to 3D worlds 3D was executed flawlessly and gave Final Fantasy X a feeling of immersion that none of the previous Final Fantasy games could produce. However, in this process, Final Fantasy X left one of the main elements and hallmarks in the franchise, and that was the world map that linked every single location together. Instead of a global map, the game used a list of locations, allowing players to pick the city or location to return from the Airship. The game was able to provide the same epic feel as previous games could get.

The flaw and the loss of an ‘epic’ feel were not carried into the story. The characters, the plot, the setting, and most importantly, the music made a lasting impression on players, resulting in the subsequent games that followed Final Fantasy X, including the first true sequel in any of the games X-2. The inclusion of voice actors was a significant feature of the game. And even though some of the dialogues within the game are painful to watch (the whistling scene from Luca), they did a superb job overall.

The majority of the game elements were done well and were well-received. Its Sphere Grid system was a unique variation of the standard approach to levelling used in previous RPGs. Aside from being cool, it was a linear levelling system with few customization options. Its Expert Sphere Grid introduced some extra complexity and customization; however, it is only available after your second play to the end (aside from being available in that of the HD Remaster version, which allows for the selection of to use the Expert Sphere Grid when you begin).

The ability to customize the equipment was annoying. Instead of adding a bit of variety to the game, you were likely to get an assortment of bizarre armour with random abilities. It’s a challenge, in the beginning, to design a piece of armour worth keeping and not use up the essential items to build that equipment. Ultimately, you do not customize any item for fear of misusing objects.

Along with the main plot, every Final Fantasy title has the possibility of a mini-game played alongside the main game, which is usually interspersed by the plot in a way. This can include games such as Chocobo racer, the Triple Triad or even the terrible Tetra Master card game from Final Fantasy IX.

The game in Final Fantasy X is Blitzball. Blitzball is a delightful game to play and offers several cool rewards you can get through winning tournaments and matches in leagues. The various optional tasks (Blitzball included) within the game stacked to a variety of extra content for the endgame, which was a nice bonus for players looking to continue playing. The rewards continue to improve gradually, a refreshing break from previous games’ endgame games ( Ruby Weapon in Final Fantasy VII, for instance).

Final Fantasy X is not the most excellent title, but it ranks right up with the very best. It’s a game that is great to replay (because it’s difficult to miss the content when you first start playing altogether), and I have played it numerous times—overall score 9/10.