Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster

Genre: Compilation / Turn-Based JRPG

Players: 1

.

Review:

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is a remastered compilation of Final Fantasy X, originally released on the PlayStation 2 in 2001, and Final Fantasy X-2, originally released on the PlayStation 2 in 2003. However, this collection not only includes greatly-improved graphics and remade soundtracks, but also a bunch of extra features and content, including Final Fantasy X: Eternal Calm and Final Fantasy X-2: Last Mission, two additions that more or less act as epilogues to their respective games.

With these being the first Final Fantasy games to release to PlayStation 2, they mark a huge graphical improvement over the previous Final Fantasy games. To be fair, the character models are still a bit lacking in detail compared to more modern games, and characters in Final Fantasy X in particular can suffer from an ugly “bug-eyed” look that detracts from the visuals. However, the increased resolutions in this release do a great job of bringing this game in line with more modern game releases. Plus, it helps that these games had a really appealing visual style that still looks great today.

However, the music is another story. Final Fantasy X in particular had one of the best soundtracks in the series, with some lovely and emotional music that really helped to sell the game’s wonderful story. This soundtrack still holds up really well today… but even so, this game includes a fully remastered soundtrack that does a great job re-imagining the original game’s soundtrack in higher fidelity, and players can opt to switch between the two. Final Fantasy X-2’s soundtrack is… less good. Okay, look, it’s not terrible, but the lighter tone of the game made for an energetic soundtrack that’s honestly one of my least favorite in the series. Oh, this one also got an optional remastered soundtrack as well.

While I’m talking about improvements, I should also mention that this game includes touchscreen controls to access quick menus in the Nintendo Switch’s handheld mode. These don’t dramatically change the game, but they’re nice additions nonetheless.

I should mention, for those not familiar with these games, that as with most mainline Final Fantasy games, Final Fantasy X’s story is unrelated to previous games in the series, and players can play it without having tried any other Final Fantasy game. However, Final Fantasy X-2 is a direct sequel to Final Fantasy X, and assumes that players know the plot of that game.

As for the games themselves, here’s my rundown of what’s in the package and how it stacks up by today’s standards:

Game	Genre	# of Players	Grade
Final Fantasy X	Turn-Based JRPG	1	A+
tl;dr Of all the games in the Final Fantasy series, X very likely represents the best overall package. The gameplay was inventive while still being accessible, and gave plenty of character customization while still keeping each character distinct. The visuals were memorable and the music was some of the best in the series. What’s more, this game has what is arguably the best story in the series, although the voice acting for the protagonist is a bit lacking at times. This is a game that has aged very, very well, and still stands tall as one of the pinnacles of the JRPG genre. If you enjoy JRPGs, you must play this game.
Final Fantasy X: Eternal Calm	Non-Interactive Visual Novel	1	N/A
tl;dr This is not a game so much as an extended epilogue to Final Fantasy X, which doubles as a prologue to Final Fantasy X-2. It’s good for adding some extra character interaction and story to fill out the gap between the two games, but doesn’t really stand on its own in any way. It’s also only maybe a half hour long. It’s addition to this package is appreciated, but don’t expect this to be another full-fledged game.
Final Fantasy X-2	Turn-Based JRPG	1	B-
tl;dr Final Fantasy X-2 is a pretty divisive game, in part because it is so very different from its predecessor that it’s jarring. The previous game’s thoughtful turn-based gameplay and sphere grid are gone, replaced with the series’ usual ATB system and a job-changing costume system that’s at times a bit tedious and nowhere near as elegant as the first game’s system. The story here is also less compelling and less coherent, with a lighter, more bubbly presentation that doesn’t quite gel with what we know of these characters from the first game. Add in re-used visuals and a far less catchy soundtrack, and this game is unquestionably a step down from its predecessor in just about every way, though it still has its charms.
Final Fantasy X-2: Final Mission	Turn-Based Dungeon Crawler	1	C-
tl;dr Final Fantasy X-2 follows three months after X-2 ended, and has the trio of heroines from that game climbing a mysterious tower after receiving an anonymous invitation. The tone here is much like in Final Fantasy X-2, but the gameplay is completely different, in line with a traditional Dungeon Crawler, while working in some gameplay elements of X-2. It might prove a decent distraction for those wanting to see X-2’s characters in a different style of gameplay, but there’s nothing here that truly stands out, the game mechanics can be a bit confusing and under-explained, and the game’s story feels like an afterthought.

In short, Final Fantasy X is clearly the star of this package, and I would argue it is most of the reason to get this release. This is the best version of one of the best JRPGs ever made, a game that still holds up today, and a must-play game. The other parts of this package… not so much. Final Fantasy X-2 has its fans, don’t get me wrong, but many (myself included) felt that Final Fantasy X worked brilliantly as a standalone game, and if the existence of X-2 was in itself superfluous, then the way it completely flies in the face of the tone, characters, and gameplay of X makes it hard to enjoy, even beyond the game’s own flaws.

So then, I come to the question of value. The games in this collection are 15-20 years old, and it’s a really uneven group, with one absolutely must-play game, one that’s decent with some problems, one that’s middling and inconsequential, and one that’s not a game so much as a little more icing on the cake. Is this group of games worth the $50 asking price? That’s a really tough call. If Final Fantasy X were here on its own for $50, I’d say it was overpriced, and I doubt I’d buy the other games here if they were sold separately. However, all together as a package, this isn’t terrible, and it is a comprehensive collection of the entire Final Fantasy X story all in one place.

One other thing I should mention here before wrapping things up. If you buy the retail release of this game, only Final Fantasy X is included on the cartridge. To play the rest, you’ll need to clear over 8GB of space on your MicroSDXC card or Nintendo Switch internal storage. Something to keep in mind when deciding which version of the game to get. Curiously, the Japanese release of the game manages to fit everything on one cartridge, so it’s just those of us outside of Japan who face this frustrating limitation, apparently.

In the end, I would say that if you have never played Final Fantasy X before, it’s high time that you do so, since it’s one of the best games ever made in its genre, and this is the best the game has ever been. If you’re a fan of the original Final Fantasy X and/or Final Fantasy X-2, this is a solid version of both. And while I may think that the other parts of this package don’t reach the same heights as Final Fantasy X, this is still overall an excellent package well worth playing for fans of the genre.

tl;dr – Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is a compilation of every game in the Final Fantasy X saga, with improved graphics and an optional remastered soundtrack. Final Fantasy X alone is an absolute must-play game that makes this compilation worthwhile, although none of the other content here quite measures up to it. If you’re a fan of JRPGs, however, this collection is worth it for that one game alone, and the other content here ain’t too shabby either.

Grade: A-

^{You can support eShopperReviews on Patreon! Please click HERE to become a Sponsor!}