An absolute masterpiece, the first fully 3D Final Fantasy on a Sony console. The CTB combat system, the moving story of Tidus and Yuna, and the art direction of Spira compose a transcendent experience. One of the greatest achievements in role-playing game history.
Your verdict
Category
RPG1 player12+
Description
A foundational PS2 JRPG released in 2001 (Japan) and 2002 (West) by Squaresoft. The first fully 3D-modelled and fully voice-acted Final Fantasy, it sends Tidus into the world of Spira and its Yu Yevon religion. A free-form Sphere Grid progression system and one of the most enduring stories in the series.
Final Fantasy X review
MAX
Art direction
★★★★★
"Iconic"
MAX
Music
★★★★★
"Legendary"
MAX
Story
★★★★★
"Masterful"
The first fully 3D entry, the game unfurls settings of sumptuous beauty, from tropical Besaid to melancholy ruins. The fluidity of the cutscenes and the expressiveness of the faces marked a turning point. This visual ambition, polished and moving, remains one of the console's finest showcases.
From the heartbreaking piano of "To Zanarkand" to the furious metal of "Otherworld", the score by Nobuo Uematsu, Masashi Hamauzu and Junya Nakano embraces an immense palette of emotions. Each theme accompanies Tidus and Yuna's journey with a rare intensity. This melodic richness ranks among the most beloved of the Final Fantasy saga.
Cast into a world ravaged by a cyclical scourge, a young man joins the pilgrimage of a summoner doomed to sacrifice. Beneath the adventure hide a shattering romance and a biting critique of religious dogma. Carried by unforgettable farewells, this tale moved an entire generation of players to tears.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Advancing along a grid of spheres to shape your heroes, fighting monsters turn by turn and triggering spectacular summons kicks off an always rewarding progression. Earning a skill or an Aeon revives the urge to push on. The linearity and a few stretches of farming weigh on things, but this poignant tale and this crystal-clear system keep a constant hold.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Following Tidus and Yuna on their pilgrimage across Spira unfolds a long-haul JRPG, carried by a striking story and a Sphere Grid of great depth. The generous main quest is doubled by aeon hunting, blitzball and a fearsome endgame. That density, served by memorable staging, earns the title its status as a classic.
The first fully 3D, voice-acted Final Fantasy, a JRPG monument praised for its art direction, soundtrack and rethought turn-based combat system. Still fairly widespread in the West, its interest lies in this status as a series milestone on the console rather than scarcity. A prime piece for fans of Japanese RPG wanting a founding classic of the PS2 era.
Memorable bosses
Between spectacular summons and recurring adversaries, the major fights of this epic blend turn-based strategy with careful staging. Seymour, met in ever grander forms, and the emotion-laden final battle stay etched in memory, carried by a memorable soundtrack. Balancing aeons, status effects and party swaps makes these duels true dramatic peaks.
A cult cover
Pared to its essence, the emblem drawn by Yoshitaka Amano — Yuna sketching the haunting Sending dance — floats on a pale field like a calligraphy of water. This dreamlike minimalism instantly sets the melancholy and ritual beauty of Spira. Elegant and timeless, the cover says everything about the saga's shift toward a more grown-up emotion.
Is Final Fantasy X still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2001 on PS2 in Japan and later in the West, Square's project remains one of the finest RPG frescoes on the console. Tidus, his spiritual journey across Spira and the Sphere Grid system install a true revolution for the series. The conditional turn based CTB combat stays a peak of readability and the pre rendered cinematic staging set a cinematic standard. The International version adds Expert Sphere Grid and Dark Aeons. The 3D modelling has aged. Strongly recommended today for any Final Fantasy devotee and for Square fans curious about a PS2 peak on Sony's second home console hardware globally.
