Tidus finally comes to Xbox.
The original release of Final Fantasy X was monumental. It was the first Final Fantasy game on PS2, as well as being the first one with full voice acting for the characters. It was an event, and I remember it being a huge deal at the time. Years passed though and what most people remember about the game was its awkward karaoke sequel and the ‘laugh’. While this is not the first remaster of these games, it is the first to grace Xbox as well as a Nintendo console, and that is a big deal. Gamers on these platforms may have never experienced this series or these characters, and there has never been a better time to experience this piece of history.
MSRP: $49.99
Platforms: XB1 (reviewed), Switch, PS4, PC
Price I’d Pay: $29.99
I am not going to dive deep into what makes both of these titles tick. We have covered these games ad nauseum over the years and this review is more about the ports and the package being brought to new consoles. With that said, both games still hold up extremely well. Sure there are nuances of it being a PS2 game originally, but the combat and characters hold up over time. Tidus had a bad rap over the years, but he is a more in-depth character than people give him credit for. Also, say what you want about X-2, but that music is still catchy even by today’s standards.
This new re-release contains everything found in previous versions. There are both original games and both the original soundtrack as well as an arranged version. The Switch version requires a rather large download that has to be completed before the game can be booted. The Xbox One version supports 4K on the X and the textures look good. The frame rate is solid and it looks much like you would imagine a PS2 game brought into the new era. The cut scenes are still a bit lower resolution than the actual game, which can be jarring, but it is forgivable.
If there is one spot to get hung up on, it is the price. This package comes in at $49.99 on both XB1 and Switch. While it does not sound like a lot for two massively large titles, it comes in contrast to the huge drop in price the PS4 version has already seen. So I get it – on one hand the content is worth the asking price, on the other it feels like a slap to those that didn’t buy it on PS4 and had to not only wait, but pay more down the line. Still, being able to play it portably on Switch is a nice touch, while the XB1 version features a sharper image and still looks gorgeous at 4K.
Final Fantasy X/X-2 is a monster collection of the series in the peak of its greatness. FFX alone set so many standards for JRPGs that still hold true today. Both games are well represented here, and it is nice to see them show up on Microsoft and Nintendo consoles. The price tag may be steep, but the content matches it pound for pound. If for some reason you have never experienced these games, get this collection. It is more than worth your time to see a genuine piece of JRPG history.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
