• ID = PS0285
• STYLE = Third-Person 3D RPG
• DEV. = Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
• PUB. = Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
• R-DATE = Nov-05-2001
• ESRB = T / For Teen
• PLAYERS = 1 player
• LIST PRICE = $19.99
  

Final Fantasy X is the first title in this landmark RPG series to be released for the PlayStation2. The main characters are Tidus, a star of blitzball (a hugely popular sport in the Final Fantasy universe), and Yuna, who has learned the art of summoning and controlling aeons, powerful spirits of yore. These two people of different backgrounds must work together as they journey through the world of Spira. This installment of Final Fantasy has a distinctly Asian influence, bringing a fresh feel to the characters, music, settings, and story.

Features include voice-overs for the first time in the series (utilizing the Facial Motion System), high-polygon, motion-captured player characters designed by Tetsuya Nomura, and a camera that automatically adjusts its perspective to correspond with the movements of the characters--a feature now possible because the game is largely polygonal.

• Milestone RPG game
• High polygon, motion-captured characters
• Camera automatically adjusts to character movement
• Voiceovers for the first time in the series
• Rotate characters in and out at any time

Description 2:
If the FINAL FANTASY franchise was any more popular, they’d have to name a parkway after it: With countless video games, a feature film, action figures, and all the rest already to its credit, the series returns with another detailed chapter. In this installment, the story focuses on Tidus, a superstar in the blitzball league. Along with Yuna (a dedicated young woman who’s learned the secret art of summoning and controlling powerful spirits), Tidus will work his way through mysteries and adventures throughout the land of Spira. Bringing an undeniably anime-influenced feel to the table, FINAL FANTASY X furthers the visual achievements of its predecessors. As you’d expect, the title delivers hundreds of gameplay hours, wrapping the action in a multi-layered mystery the likes of which gaming has never seen. With literally hundreds of characters packed in, the game ensures no two players will have exactly the same experience, making the replay value high.

Amazon.com Review
Each installment of the Final Fantasy series has featured strong storytelling, characterization, and strategic combat, fun minigames, and hours upon hours of captivating gameplay. The 10th title in the series is no exception. This is the first time a Final Fantasy game has appeared on the PlayStation2, and it takes full advantage of the increased technical capabilities.

The story this time concerns Tidus, a blond-haired star of a sport called Blitzball. While he is playing in a match, Tidus's city is attacked by an evil force called Sin, and everything is destroyed save Tidus and his guardian Auran. The adventure begins as the pair are somehow transported to another world. From here on, it's standard Final Fantasy gameplay: fight battles, manage experience points, learn new powers, and recruit a motley crew of nonplayer characters to join your quest.

The graphics, however, take things to a new level. They are amazing not only for their realism, but also for their imaginative art design. The world these heroes inhabit is breathtakingly beautiful, flowing, and full of inventive surprises. You haven't lived until you've surfed cables high in the air, or ridden a graceful airship through the clouds. The stunning effects are on display when you use magic in combat, summon gigantic monsters, and use fire columns to devastate your foes.

One new element is voice acting. The innovation yields predictably mixed results: it's wonderful to hear spoken dialogue rather than read subtitles, but as with most games translated from Japanese, the acting is mediocre and sometimes unintentionally hilarious.

Still, the game's new graphics engine and solid gameplay are sure to please fans of the series waiting to see what Square has in store for them. While Final Fantasy X doesn't offer much innovation, it also doesn't disappoint. And fortunately, with Final Fantasy XI already in development, the title is still a misnomer. --Andrew S. Bub

Pros:
Gorgeous graphics
Epic story line
Voice acting

Cons:
Little innovation
The voice acting is sometimes laughable

L1 + L2 + R1 + R2 + Start + Select Button = soft reset

FIELD D-Pad = move character
Left Analog Stick = move character
Circle Button = cancel
Circle Button (hold) = walk
X Button = talk, examine, confirm
Triangle Button = menu
Start Button = pause

MENU
D-Pad = move character
Left Analog Stick = move cursor
Circle Button = cancel
X Button = confirm
L1 Button = change character
L2 Button = scroll menus back
R1 Button = change character
R2 Button = scroll menus forward

BATTLE
D-Pad = move cursor, change pages
Left Analog stick = move cursor, change pages
Circle Button = cancel
X Button = confirm
Triangle Button = defend (skips turn)
L1 Button = display switch window, select character
L2 Button = scroll switch window
R1 Button = scroll CTB window up
R2 Button = scroll CTB window down