I’ll never forget the feeling I got as a kid when you reach Zanarkand and there’s no battle music just a fleeting dream playing. Truly one of my favorite memories. I love this game
It wasn't even the first time the game DID this, yet it was SO much more noticeable. Like when you are saving Yuna and the amped up track is playing in the background even during fights, it feels appropriate. But Zanarkand Ruins? That area makes you FEEL like you're walking over a massive graveyard and never lets the normal battle music break that tone. It is a dire, depressing reminder that millions of lives were lost here and the creatures you are fighting aren't just monsters, they are souls that have been twisted by their own envy and rage in their feelings of being cheated out of their lives. But on top of that, it's the final stretch before Yunalesca. You FEEL like the game is approaching its end and you know reaching Yunalesca means Yuna will die. This moves it up from a graveyard to a funeral procession. You don't feel like you're about to conquer your enemy, you feel like you're escorting your friend to her demise, and Auron has done nothing but remind you of that fact up until that point. And all of that conveyed by MUSIC.
I appreciate how the story went from everyone but Tidus originally knew that Yuna would've died at the end of the pilgrimage, but once she is saved, it's Tidus that takes her place. He doesn't burden anyone with that knowledge so no one will hesitate to see it through to the end. Protect the summoner even at the cost of one's life. The code of the guardian.
@@AndysTake It was an absolutely fabulous narrative switch and, honestly, I prefer the Canon where he is gone. It was a great wrap up to the story and don't need him to magic his way back.
To be fair, there has since been some clarification about the ending of FFX. For one, the visual novel and FFX-2 never should have happened. They were unplanned, rushed out products trying to ride off the back of a Greatest Hits game that had JUST come out. But the ending of FFX itself is... Interesting. You guys know the cover art to the game? The one where Tidus is standing in the water with Brotherhood and you see Besaid in the background as well as Zanarkand in the horizon? That wasn't just cover art. That was meant to be the cannon ending of the game; he comes back. That's why that after credits scene of him swimming up exists. And there are a TON of chekov's guns in place suggesting his return. For example, right before Yuna's final speech where she is whistling for Tidus just like he taught her to do when she needed him to hurry back to her. Seems like a bitter and sad passing moment.. until you realize from a writing standpoint, they never even USED that whistle throughout the game, it was just brought up and dismissed for the rest of the game until that scene. Then there is the fact that Auron leaves slightly sooner than Tidus and says "This is YOUR world now". Awfully strange thing for him to say given he never really expressed any broad altruistic desires for the whole party, but he DID talk to Tidus quite a bit about similar topics throughout the story... EXCEPT in this cutscene, UNLESS you consider he is speaking directly to Tidus. There's the fact that Tidus has an incredibly CASUAL greeting to his father when he sees him upon rejoining the spirits, just giving him a high five, unless you consider he intended to return to Spira somehow and the period after was him focusing on doing that very thing. And this is where the cover art comes from. Disclosure, this isn't fan theory, this was CONFIRMED by the devs: Tidus is standing in the water with Brotherhood, a sword he hadn't yet acquired yet nor ever went into the water with and he is surrounded by PYREFLIES.. but there were no Pyreflies on Besaid's beach... But there WERE in that post credits cutscene. Originally, the deve wanting his emergence from the water with the sword to BE the final shot of the game. They just, y'know, "ran out of time". The classic.
TL;DR Tidus was always supposed to be resurrected, but the cutscene from FFX-2 was not how it was originally envisioned and was a lot more subdued in the original pitch.
50:00 Bahamuts human spirit is a child I always knew it of course but it never really clicked why a child is the “strongest” aeon. Because that was the weight of the child’s sacrifice.
It could also be why anima is so powerful too, a mother sacrificing herself for her son, but seymour didn’t follow through which is why he never became a high summoner and now she still only wants to protect her son despite his insanity
I interpreted it slightly differently. Since all summons are the dreams of the fayth. I always saw it as a child's dreams are the most powerful. But I like the way you see it too.
@@MiliGenkishi yeah that's how I interpreted it as well. A child's dreams are so much more vivid and powerful than adults. But the weight of the sacrifice makes sense too. Like they said Anima being so strong because of the mother/son bond so a child sacrificing itself for the world could also be seen as a strong/selfless sacrifice.
I though it was a child but with mentality of an adult. Resembling childhood trauma that Tidus had. I might be wrong. Tidus always get ti deal with his childhood trauma feeling not loved and negolected by his mom when his father was nearby. His fathers narcissism reflects his parenthood. Saying to his son hes better then him that no one is better then him. He didnt do encouragement more rediculement off his son. Mind that hes a child that dont have benifits of an adult to understand his father.
I never even thought of Tidus as immature or annoying. I'm 26 and honestly his "wtf is going on and why?" Reactions make sense to me. He wants answers and clarity. As anyone in his position would. He NEVER came off as too much or annoying to me. A guy thrown into a situation he knows nothing about and makes the best of it. In fact for a 17 year old....compared to others I know. Tidus may be the most mature 17 year old to ever live lol
EXACTLY, thank you. I think they did an excellent job portraying that, and anything less would have been weird and unrealistic, in my opinion. They really dared to take a unique approach to their main character, and I love that so much.
Such a great point, he is absolutely mature for a 17 year old. Dude fights fiends and cataclysmic level battles and still keeps his composure, he doesn’t deserve all the grief he gets from people who (a lot of the time) have barely, if ever, played this masterpiece of a game.
One thing I appreciate as an adult that I recognized as a kid but couldn’t articulate was Tidus and his different tone when narrating versus how he talks every other time. He lacks any of his usually higher octaves and optimism and as you play the game he slowly matches that more cynical tone he has when he’s in narrator mode
Yes exactly. It’s like he’s speaking to us from at least past when reaching Zanarkand. Because those narrative things kind of stop post that, don’t they?It’s amazingly done.
@@Scantronacon We, also, didnt know the truth. Getting to real world Zanarkand and learning the truth was such a gut punch, I even remember not understanding it the first time. My mind couldnt accept that Tidus was in essence, not real.
I love IX, is my favorite, is the best, Vivi is the GOAT, but Tidus was the first (and possibly only) main character in the series who actually felt like a real person. He is a 17 years old kid having to deal with the fact that his dad, who was already an asshole, is a literal monster killing millions, and he has to put him down, while dealing with the fact he is in another world, the love of his life is going to die, and, you know...learning he doesnt even exist. How was a 17 years old kid going to react to all of this??? As a teenager, I remember I disliked him, back when I though Cloud and Squall were "cool", but as an adult, I apreciate how relatable Tidus is.
I was in my late teens when I was playing this game and got up to Yuna's wedding scene when due to unforeseen circumstances, I left my home and my family and this would be the last game I ever played. Looking back at this brings a conclusion to a story that remained unresolved in my mind for 20 years. Your narration and pacing was seamless and felt like part of the game itself. Thank you for devoting the time to make this 4.5 hour epic.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and watching, my friend! I’m so glad you enjoyed the video, and that I could guide you through the rest of the story! I hope you’re doing well, mate.
An interesting play on their names: I heard that "Yuna" means "Moon", and "Tida" means "Sun". It is said in the game that Yuna "walks in the darkness but shines her light around", just like the Moon does. While Tidus both shines and walks in the light (believing everything to be good and optimistic) - he shines and he is in the light, too, like the Sun. But the Sun must eventually set - it's no coincidence that "listen to my story" cutscene happens at the sunset, and in the darkness Sun can go no more. Still, the Sun - well, it "still shines as it sinks into the sea", or so the song goes. The funny thing about Jecht, by the way, is that Auron was wrong about him. Jecht said he'll cook up something to stop Sin for good, but Auron then narrated that "yet Jecht managed to do nothing in the end, and the cycle continued". But, on the contrary - Jecht delivered his son into Spira! A son as stoic and stubborn as he himself was! And this very act of bringing Tidus to Spira was the end of Sin ultimately!
The cutscenes lend themselves well to the sun and moon names. Tidus glistens in the light with bright surroundings and Yuna glows in the dark with ambient lighting. "Suteki Da Ne" is such a beautiful song 😭
This isn't quite right, I've been on a bit of a FFX content binge these past few days and another video I saw actually cleared up this misconception. While its true that the creator of the game was quoted saying that Tidus means sun and Yuna moon, in japanese this isn't quite true. Tidus does mean sun but Yuna doesn't mean moon, instead Yuna is the name of the Hibiscus flower which itself is commonly associated with moonlight because it blooms at night. Yuna's dress and design also match the Hibiscus flower. I'm sure I botched something here but that's the general gist of it, I'm not sure if the creator was incorrect when he said Yuna meant moon, if it was a mistranslation, or maybe that's just what Yuna symbolizes to him personally.
@@13thnite But is it in Japanese really? It was said that Tida and Yuna are words from Ainu language, which is not language of Japanese Empire, but rather of Indigenous people they assimilated?
To all those that have come here, those that played this game back when we were kids on the ps2. This game is special and still holds such a deep place inside all of our hearts for very good reasons. The story was both intimate and epic. The love story was heartbreaking. The score was incredible and the world was so beautiful. But this game was greater than the sum of its parts and has brought us all here for a reason. I still ache for this game from time to time. I will never get lost in a game like this again. There was just something magical about this game and I'm so happy we all got to experience it.
I agree with you. We're all together in this. This game has marked an era in my life where I was alone, lonely, and felt unloved by my parents who hated each other. FFX was my escape from all the pain, and I was totally immersed in its world. It felt more real and accepting of me compared to the real world, family, and 'friends'. Several years after, I have been through a lot and is wiser and mature, have a wife and kid. Life is far from perfect but I am able to create an environment for my family that is healthy, healing myself from my dark and painful past. The story of FFX taught me how to love, cherish the people around me, face the truths about life (rather than believe a beautiful life) and be curious about the mystical nature of our reality. I somehow think that the people who truly LOVED this game to their heart and soul are the ones I'm going to truly vibe with. To all of you fellow FFX fans, I wish you all the best years of your lives. Have a good one!
Resonant Arc just started their story analysis of FFX with episodes dropping weekly. Should end up being over 4 hours. Not saying this to take the spotlight away from op, moreso to let you know that there's even more long-form FFX goodness coming :-)
@@Y-two-K I'll second this. They do good work over there at resonant arc. Lots of content for jrps from that channel so fans cup runneth over. Nice video here as well for sure.
This game is really a love letter to how you feel when you are suddenly hit with grief, despair, loss and just the inevitably of losing someone and how you grow and change and just deal with everything that is coming at you all at once.
That was the absolute best way to describe this game 💯🙌🏾. I’m going to use this from now on when I tell people about it for the few people that some how missed this wonderful game .
The fact that Tidus embraces that he is not real with joy rather than concern made me appreciate him a lot. He keeps this to himself even when the Fayths warn him he will disappear. The fact that he forgives his abusive father like nothing is quite a nice take of unconditional love. Many say Yuna is supposed to the MC, but Tidus is really the Sun that shines in the dark game.
Oof I just love that last sentence. In the narrative of Final Fantasy X, Tidus is without question the Protagonist. Yuna I would apply an interesting term I learned called the Deuteragonist, which is the second most primary character of a narrative.
@@BlindUnknown I think the intent is also that the main character shifts over time. Tidus is the main character up until zanarkand. But after that the story gives much more agency to yuna, because it's not a story about Tidus anymore, it's a story about yuna and how she defeats Sin. And that accompanies the fact that she goes from passive, following her pilgrimage and the teaching of yevon to actively rejecting it and finding another way, defying the status quo.
They don’t really say he was abusive. It’s not really forgiveness. It’s admitting he was wrong. The only thing he ever really knew about his father was his mom didn’t pay as much attention to him when he was around. That’s what he hated and when he was finally out of the picture his “death” changed his mother. He really didn’t do anything. Tidus was just always jealous and jecht came to symbolize everything wrong in his life or the world. Same thing in spira.
A detail I noticed on a recent playthrough that I didn't see you touch on in this video. When Tidus is distraught when he learns that Yuna will die he begins hitting Valefor, but she covers him with her wings, like a mother hen protecting her chick, almost like she's trying to comfort him, letting him release his frustration. Ever time I play through this game I see other little details that I missed and I love the game that much more. Everything, EVERYTHING, in this game is intentional and it's why this is my favorite game.
Yes that is a beautiful moment indeed :) it shows that the aeons are much more than just “monsters”, that they are actual people/beings just transformed into these things. Thank you for bringing it up!
I thought other games had it right but the more i play 10 the more i love it. it is becoming one of the greatest ff games IMO, 6/3 still holds that top spot for me currently though
It blew my mind when you spoke about each Aeon singing their own Hym of the faith. Its such a small detail, but shows how much love went into creating this game. Its truly a masterpiece in everyday. I must have bought it 3 times and finished it at least 4. I first picked it up on ps2 becauss I thought the cover looked good and it was the 10th game! I might buy it again on the switch to support the team. Maybe one day we can get a prequel with Jeckt, Auron and Yunas Dad.
Not only that, but the voices are those of the spirits in the fayth. The fact that Bahamut is a kid comes through in the singing voice. Same with Seymour's mom. It's heartbreaking.
Hardly ever comment, but this video is an actual gem. So much work has gone in to this and I can really feel your love for this game. It made me wanna replay FFX again. Much respect.
Thank you so much for leaving the comment, makes my day when I read stuff like this :) so much work HAS gone into into, but your response makes it worth it, and especially if you get to play FFX again! Cheers, mate!
The "girl talk" moment with Rikku I think was the fact that Rikku knows that they are cousins and she was the daughter of Cid who Yuna has been told to trust.
@asdfghjkllkjhgfdsa8725 There wasn't anything in that scene that didn't make sense. The only way you could think that the scene doesn't make sense is if you forgot the fact that Yuna is half Albhed. Also, if you pay attention, then you'd realize that Yuna and Rikku already knew who each other was at that point.
I've watched many ffx retrospectives over the last few months, and this is the best one on UA-cam, in my opinion. You do a great job capturing the little details and generally what makes this game so great. Your commentary is pleasant and well delivered. Thank you for allowing me to relive a game that meant so much to me, with putting the feeling into words I could never come up with myself. Cheers
@@FantasticQuack thank you so much for both the super thanks and the kind words my friend, it means a lot :) as my favourite game I still wonder how they managed to make such a compelling and thoughtful story and cast of characters, not to the mention the music and the extreme visual jump from FFIX just a year earlier. Cheers again!
This game was a formative experience for me. It kept me going during a huge shift in my life and cracked my emotional brain open like an egg. It's so sad at times. Yuna's resignation to dying and wanting to experience a happy final journey is so powerful. And coming to realise that's it's all a sham. And that's ignoring the love story. I absolutely love it.
This has been in my “watch later” for a few months because I knew when I started watching I was gonna go all the way to the end in one sitting, you really did this game justice explaining how good it really is.
Thank you so much, Rashad, that really means a lot to hear. I’m so glad you watched it (and after all these months haha!) and am so happy you think I did justice :)
It's extra sad when at the end of the laughing scene she says "I want my journey to be full of laughter" when you consider what she believed that journey's end would be. I'm not done with the video yet, but I want to say props to you for reviving my feelings for this game. I was obsessed with it when I played it when I was younger, but with time I thought that was just me being a kid. Watching this, I'm struck that no, it really was special and worthy of that.
@@TheEnigmaticBM39 i took turns with a friends grinding in 12 hours shifts during summer holidays to level up lmao. I remember we did that at 4 points in the game, but i can only remember this one
This is in my opinion the greatest game of all time, no game has touched my soul in a similar manner. The story has been etched into my memories as though I had lived every moment in real life, I remember all the characters like old friends, the laughter the saddness, the romance and especially every victory along the way, a game that spirits you away into another world and back, a true master piece ❤😢
Finally someone did justice to my favorite game of all time. My life begun the moment I started playing Final Fantasy X is what I say. Such a special gem that I hold very dear in my heart.
My favorite scene in the game, is when Tidus first meets Auron in Luca. It's exactly how anyone would react. Tidus is obviously upset at Auron, but he has to go with him
I think everyone who grew up gaming has that "one" special game. I'm so glad that this was mine. To zanarkand just does something amazing to my brain when i hear it.
It's my "one" special game too! The entire soundtrack makes me feel so many different emotions....a lot of it is nostalgia, but it's also deepened in meaning with time as my perspective on the game changes. Similarly, the Prelude song in FFVII just hit different as I played more and more of the game. As if its meaning was slowly unveiled to me with every successive play session.
The intro is just so iconic, epic and special. When you are walking over the bridge and the radio host is talking about running away from home and how the disappearance of Jeht brought him and his dad closer together.... perfect. They dont make games like that anymore. So much love and passion put into a work of art.
@2:39:32 Sin doesn't just appear. The party has been hanging out on the back of Sin the entire time after they fell through the ice. You can tell by the ruined buildings that are around them. They're identical to those found on Sin. Jecht saved the party as Sin.
I don't blame him for missing this I certainly did playing it as a child but it is alluded to in game as well in the dialogue. The party doesn't realize it, except Auron probably, but they evaded death here by landing on Sin's back.
This game is so much deeper and spiritual than any other FF-game by far. While many are futuristic and military-focused, this one is personal and epic. A true hero's journey. Yeah, it is the best Final Fantasy game, no doubt. While the voice actor of Tidus wouldn't be my first... or second... or whatever choice, and it may be too easy overall (even without ever using a Aeon) this game is near perfection in every other sense. At least, to me. I've played many RPGs, since the mid 90ies. This one I can play over and over again and it never bores me. I didn't need to see more of spira, for this game is not about a world alone. It's a personal story full of self-sacrifice and believe. Also, I really love the character of Jekkt. He grows so much. A prequel is all I pray for. Imagine this game with Unreal Engine 5.
0 seconds ago “While many are futuristic and military focused.” Apparently Zanarkand, the numerous war robots and an airship equipped with nuclear missiles flew right past you.
@@ranzigerkaefer FF7 is contemporary/steampunk. FF8 is contemporary/futuristic. FF15 is contemporary. FF10 is futuristic/post-apocalyptic. It in fact has the most futuristic intro of any FF after FF13. Zanarkand is more advanced than Midgar or Insomnia or any city in Cocoon. It’s arguably more advanced than Esthar because Esthar can’t levitate water.
It's weird how people dislike his VA so much, I thought he did a great job under the same restrictions as the rest of the cast (having to match lipflaps/make not super well localized dialogue in some cases work) James Arnold Taylor is the VA, and he does amazing work, he's been the voice of Ratchet in all the Ratchet and Clank games, and he voiced Obi-Wan in the star wars: the clone wars animated series, on top of a million other big profile things cus he does genuinely good work. Him, Wakka (John Dimaggio, voice of Bender in Futurama), and Rikku (Tara Strong, voice actor of everyone's childhood including kids today haha) are like, the biggest names in the cast
It is a beautiful game. The pacing, the drama, the characters, the soundtrack, the atmosphere and world-building, the technical skill involved in weaving a compelling game experience with minor loading. The developers had spend years honing their craft and ability, to create a strong narrative and technical execution of these types of RPG. One of the strongest titles ever - and something a whole generation of gamers remember.
I remember playing this as a teen and loving it but it wouldnt be until I played through it again as an adult that i realized how grim and tragic its story really was.
The first time you play you are Tidus, exploring a new world and experiencing everything as he does. All future plays its like Yuna, enjoying the journey to tragedy you know is waiting. I do wish I could experience the game for the first time again, since it feels so different on subsequent playthroughs.
Great video thanks for making, a note on 02:36:50 - I read speculation that where the party is here is literally on top of Sin, that little mini city you can see on it's head, that's then how the party gets transported to Bikanel Island.
@@randallmart92 duuuude yes :o I have talked to friends about this game before. I remember playing it at my cousin's house, I don't think I ever beat it though. I could never remember the name of it though. I am now buying this game asap. Thankyou so much!
Wow, that was really beautiful. It's been so long since I completed FFX, so it was really nostalgic to relive the journey like this. I definitely remember the different story beats better than I do for almost any game I haven't played in that long, which really speaks to how memorable the game is, but there were also fascinating details I had forgotten. I am, for instance, fairly sure I made the exact same mistake back then of thinking Lulu's flare was some kind of teleportation spell, not just a signal to Wakka. Strange! Another thing I had forgotten was that Auron was killed by Yunalesca, which raises the question, if he died back then,why did he seemingly continue to age? Also got a renewed appreciation for how hard Auron's theme hits every time it plays in the actual story. A great theme on its own, but they use it for several of the most unforgettable moments. Must have been a massive amount of work to put this together, but time really flew by watching it Amazing work!
Thank you ❤️ haha it’s kinda crazy about that Lulu flare, it just looks like teleportation because the whole scene is about moving fast and then getting back to the stadium, but it’s fun we both made that connection. Also about Auron, I read something on that, and you’re very right, Auron looks 55, when he’s actually only 35. But I think, despite being unsent and therefore theoretically stuck at his 25 year old age (?), that using Sin to move to Zanarkand aged him there, since he was no longer in Spira. Might just be a way to explain an overlooked thing or poorly thought out age gap though, he definitely looks like 20-30 years older than in the Jecht Spheres, but yeah, that’s sort of what I’ve found
@@AndysTake I always thought her flare was her like magicking up a screen for them to watch on then and there, because she mentions watching him float in the sphere. Amazing detail to notice, love how this game changes my perception of stuff even 15 years down the line!
I always interpreted fiends and such, the way they appear, as being the result of a sort of self perception thing. Maybe Auron ages because he perceives himself as having aged.
I was 11 when it came out and my sister is a year and a half younger than me. We were best friends. She watched me play this ENTIRE game because of the story. With both cried our hearts out when it ended and we watched it together.
The third fight with Seymour, on Mt. Gagazet, is definitely the toughest. Every play through I do, I grind and grind on the mountain to prepare with the right abilities. It is a tough fight that can really catch you slacking.
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People who mock it have no intention of playing and haven't played it. They don't have the context or wish to know it. Hehe fart voice acting bad is as far as it goes
As this is a video of considerable lenght, im watching this in pieces. but thank you for bringing me back to a game ive easily spend hundreds of hours on. From the funny, to the emotional. ive been on a rollercoaster every time i played this game. (ps. nice going into the details. there are thing i havent paid attention to ever. can still learn about this game it seems ^^)
This game always has a special place in my heart. It's really hard to put into words the emotions it evokes but you said it perfectly. Thank you for making it!
Yeah I was 19 years old when I played this game, and it blew my mind. I saw voice acting for the first time, insanely beautiful cutscenes that seemed far ahead of their time...when Tidus and Yuna were in the water together and he kissed her-WOW! And yeah the ending was gut wrenching. Two games I want a remake of, or at least a continuation of, FFX, and Chrono trigger.
I recently replayed this as an adult and honestly it’s probably one of the only games that leaves me completely sobbing at the end. That and Dragon Quest 11 in the tower of time… I would add Crisis Core too… but that game didn’t leave me sobbing. It just left me broken.
No wonder FF12 had a hard time living up to FFX's expectations in terms of how deep, long and well developed the story of FFX was. I am inspired to get back to this game as I last played it back in the ps2 era. I hope you make a follow up for FFX-2 on how it has supplemented or unnecessary at all depending on your take why they had to make a "true ending" for FFX.
Thank you, Patrick! I will consider FFX-2, it would take a massive amount of time, and since I’m not paid by the hour, it’s hard to do right now. But perhaps one day :)
@@AndysTake I would love to see a video for FFX-2! But totally understand about the time commitment! ❤ It takes a lot of heart to create something this amazing.
@@szymps 53 downvotes using the browser extension to see how them... anyway FFX is one of my favorite FF games and Auron is still one of myfavorite video game characters of all time.
Real quick I just wanted to touch on the narration of Tidus, I think it was the first time I can remember a story being told like this, and it was done SOOOOO well.
This game - to see someone else love it as much as I do Honestly puts me in my feelings. This game is so important to me as a person. I can’t explain the amount of tears I’ve shed over this beautiful story and what it means to me.
Thank you so much for watching, Yuukio, I’m so glad you found the video and enjoyed it! I put all my love for the game into it, and I’m glad you recognize the passion for FFX :)
Want more Final Fantasy analysis? Check out my FF7 Rebirth Nibelheim in-depth review right here, and follow my new RPG-focused channel :) ua-cam.com/video/JH2TEhS4C0w/v-deo.html
And here I am 180 minutes in with not a chance of not finishing. You reminded me why this game was the first piece of art that I played. This game changed my life. It instilled empathy, looking past what’s right in front of you, and duty to be above yourself. This is the greatest game I’ve ever played and I owe my own development to this game. Thanks for the 4 hour video 🤩
Mate. First of all thank you for putting in all the work into creating this masterpiece. You talked about so much stuff I’ve never noticed or really thought about while playing the game years ago. You really made me fall in love with the game again and you made me appreciate the story so much more. Secondly I started to download the game again yesterday with the intention to replay the story myself and grind the *expletive* out of it. Much love ❤
Got the remaster worth it. Auron's BITTER, yet calm commentary throughout the game. Which becomes urgent sincerity after Zanarkand, "a promise I made to Jecht"
This game was my first Final Fantasy game, together with Tales of Symphonia it got me through so much and also helped me learn about right and wrong. It also taught me how to properly read, speak and write English, so many fond memories.
Absolutely unreal how many layers there are to the story. To the origin of Spira and Sin, to the religious and social commentary, to the concept of death, to how we interpret dreams, etc.
I really like how, in the ending scene, the way that each character has talked about grief reflects in the way they hold themselves when Tidus is leaving them - Rikku's happy waving him goodbye, Wakka's desperate fidgeting, like he needs to find some way to fix it, Lulu's acceptance, Yuna's quiet stillness, and Kimahri's simple observance of it. It shows just how much thought they put into the characterisation of everyone. This is my second time watching this video. The first time, it really hit me just how much religious connotation was there. Not only that, but the amount of things they call back to and set up in the beginning of the narrative. Final Fantasy X was my first ever Final Fantasy, and I loved it so much. I still play it to this day. I remember how, when I first played it, getting to Mt. Gagazet had me in tears. Kimahri's battle with Biran and Yenke with Servants of the Mountain playing in the background was emotional enough, but finding out that, hours of being on the mountain later, (because it took that long the first time, lol) Seymour had killed every single one...man, those scenes really got me, and it sucks seeing other reviewers of the game calling Kimahri a useless character. Even though he doesn't say much, he has so much emotional weight to him, and even in the sphere of Yuna's, where she tells the story of how she begged him not to go, and he stayed, it shows just how caring he is. I just love Kimahri so much and I wish he was real so I could give him a big hug.
There's something special and more real about Titus's courage, it feels bigger for how much he isn't a badass. It feels pure. There's also something sweet about the narrative juxtaposition... Titus spends the first 3/4ths of the game with everyone understanding what's happening better than he does, but then spends that last part of the journey as the only one who really understands the true scope of events and that has a complete picture. This is something few games manage to pull off, but it's awesome in FFX. It makes the ultimate sad victory feel well earned. Edit: also I'm not sure if FFX is the best video game story (FF: Tactics is the game that competes most fiercely for affection) but, it is my favorite and is personally the most meaningful story to me.
This may sound silly to some, but this game is what made me start to doubt my religious beliefs. The idea that religion can be used for the benefit of those in power to control people. This game taught me to stop praying in vain for hardship to end and instead make my own story. Favorite game of all time for this
Hey, I know I'm a couple of months late, but I saw this and wanted to reach out. I actually left Christianity when I was doing a Master's Degree in Theology. If you ever want to talk about your doubts and going through struggles as a result, let me know. I'm an atheist now and have been for about a decade. It was liberating and when I replayed FFX, I felt like I understood the story on a deeper level having gone through such an experience with religion as well. Anyway, I'm here if you want to talk. Either way, I love that we share such an appreciation for this game!
@@FluffyFractalshard I'm really skeptical of things like this. You make a claim and even imply that it's something I'll find out. Then, however, you just drop it. I think this can be a bit harmful to the wrong person. As I've said, I left religion as I was doing a Master's Degree in Theology, so I'm secure in my view of the world. That being said, a person searching could receive false hope from this and stop their search. That can have devastating consequences.
I don't doubt my Christian beliefs but Grandia 2 beat FF X and the anti church plot line by a year. One of the reasons i have always disliked FF series is other games do it first but people only know it from FF when all they did was rip off games that came before them. Same thing i said when everyone said FF7 was the first game to kill off a party member and i had to roll my eyes.
One of the things that I find so fascinating about Yuna is that she isn't actually optimistic until very late in the game; she's a realist with a lot of resolve. Since Titus is the narrator, we never see her breakdowns. She goes to great lengths to hide that, and it's frequently implied that she has times where she isn't great and Titus doesn't usually recognize the subtext. Yuna is also able to understand a person's nature quickly unless there is incredibly skilled deceit at play. Her initial reactions to Seymore seem genuinely fearful, but her religion kept her from telling that to anyone. I think it's because of her realism about how effed up their world is, and her empathy, that she initially believes Titus about Zanarkand. Like, monsters roam the world and I have to conjure basically dead monster people after entreating them in rituals in order to finally die at the end. What? Someone has arrived under mysterious circumstances claiming to be from the dead city? *meets him* nah, this is legit.
Man, you were so right about the "awkward" laughs, back then I just graduated from uni and I had so little understanding to pains in life. Now, when I played this part again last week, it totally felt different, it was so well written, along with the dialogues from NPCs in their world.
Having played the PS1 FFs I remember being blown away by how gorgeous this game was. While not my favourite, it's definitely the one I'd recommend to newcomers to the series.
I actually think this game is the best game for newcomers since it's relatively easy at first and has a gentle learning curve with some good difficulty spikes along the way. The battle system is easy to get to grips with and the sphere grid is easy to understand despite looking daunting at first. The story is good and blends a lot of the futuristic and more traditional fantasy elements together. Also, despite how some view the quality of the voice acting, most of it is quite good with some excellent direction and voiced characters are easier for new players to get into games, especially since voice acting has been the standard in most games since the late 90s and early 00s
Fun fact, the ruins under Macalania lake are the ruins that are on top of Sin apparently. That's how Jecht transported them to Bikanel Desert. Dansg08 had a video on it a while ago. "This Little FFX Discovery Blew My Mind" Also, great video, thanks for making it.
Not just Macalania Lake either at 10:21, 1:43:25 & 2:37:32 those buildings all appear, the top of Sins back appears multiple times. Sin was with them the whole time, following them, helping them. Taking them and Tidus to where they needed to go.
FFX will forever be my favourite game. First FF I completed, and since then I've completed it on PS2, PS3 and PS4 including Penance all times. Loved the atmosphere, the music, the battle system, the colours, the fact that it truly felt like a fantasy game, and above all: the story. Haven't finished the video yet, but I'm just a few minutes in and can already tell this will be a great video. FFXII comes second, feels like an overlooked game sometimes, but it's really good too.
Exactly the same as you. Played through X when I was only 6. I can't strain enough the fact that It changed me from the inside. This game never left me completely. XII is my second favorite which I tend to place first in terms of gameplay.
I just want to say,first off….Thank you so much for this.FFX is a game close to my heart and I’ve watched a LOT of videos about it and listened to a lot of people telling the story of FFX but yours……yours was simply amazing.You tell it so well,offering your narrative whilst combining the gameplay elements to a T.A very big well done to you sir. I would also like to offer my thanks for not infecting your video with Adverts every 6 or so minutes like many others.You have earned a sub and I look forward to more content. Take care.
Thank you so much Nick, that means a lot :) I'm so glad you enjoyed the video, I'm excited to hopefully bring more Final Fantasy longform content soon :)
Must have been 20 years ago on PS2, hundreds of hours so I could beat the dark aeons and Penance.. but what a story, still the best story in gaming I've ever seen. "The friends that we've lost and the dreams that have faded.. never forget them.." Roll end credits.. and roll the tears down my cheeks
Top tier video celebrating a top tier game. It is amazing to me how much more I appreciate this game as the years pass. When it came out I was 13, and while I enjoyed the gameplay, the story did not resonate with me. Now, having adulted for a while now including raising a 9 year old little guy, this story wrecks me. Things such as Wakka bringing joy to people by winning as a way to distract from the harsh reality of life, or the relationship between Tidus and Jecht, or taking a deep look at your beliefs and religion in order to get past inherited biases - they all strike a deep connection now. It is a masterpiece that I just wasnt ready for at 13.
Well said, Daniel! Thank you so much for watching and sharing your thoughts. This game definitely ages like a fine wine as people grow up and understand the story better than when they were kids
This video was insane to watch, I enjoyed every minute of it during the 2 weeks that I played the shound while driving to work. You treated every aspect of it so well I'm speechless. Thank you very much for doing this video!
As a Person who lost his dad at age 6 in year 2003... I played Final Fantasy X shortly after... I cannot express how much this Story always meant to me. I'm always crying seeing how this affected me up till this day. thank you.
I love this game, honestly my only issue with it is the unskippable cutscenes. It can really drag on if you die on some bosses. The worst offender in my opinion is the yunalesca fight.
You’re right, as much as I love them, unskippable cut scenes can be a real drag when you HAVE to rewatch them before a boss fight you just can’t seem to win, especially when they’re several minutes long.
This is the single greatest FFX review on youtube period. Not only do I love this game, i love how detailed it is. I understand it mustve took months to edit this and i congradulate your hard work for this excellent video. Thanks, now i gotta play a fresh new game of ffx as its my 2nd favorite ff game of all time
Thank you SO much, GreyMatter! An amazing compliment, and I’m so happy you enjoyed the video and share my love for this beautiful game. Now I gotta ask - which IS your favourite FF game?!
@@FloAfree I really liked FFX-2 at the time, but FFXII was just good but boring. I absolutely despise FFXV and think it’s the worst piece of **** ever.
I've spent my day watching this while working. Absolutely fantastic work, I hate to think how much of an undertaking it was to create this video. Thanks for reaching out to our channel and pointing out this video, truly superb work!
Thank you so much my friend, I’m so glad you decided to watch the video and that you enjoyed it as well! :D all the best with your channel, I’ll look forward to more chill music!
I can’t even describe in words how incredible this video is and how much it meant to me. I cried so many times. You perfectly encapsulated why this is my favorite game not just in the Final Fantasy series but just as a whole. It’s truly such a beautiful, incredible, fantastic game and it deserves so much love. Thank you for all the time you took making it and sharing it with us. It’s a masterpiece in video game analysis. ❤️
Thank you so much for saying that, my friend. Hearing comments like this makes me so happy not only because it makes me feel like my time and efforts were well spent, but also because it lets me know I’m not alone in loving this game. I’m so glad you enjoyed the video, and thanks again for leaving such a nice comment ❤️
I have the itch to replay FFX for its 21st anniversary but got no time. But this video made me relive FFX's beautiful story so thank you! I've watched the entire 4 hours of it. Appreciate not just the retelling but also the explanation of the nuances of the story.
Truly the greatest game I’ve ever played… honestly the vibes of this game are unmatched.. never played a game with such a perfect story, soundtrack, characters etc…. legendary.
I've played this game at least 10 times and I've watched let's plays at least 20 times all the way through. The fact that I'm still learning stuff in this video is mind-blowing.
Man, this game have the power of making me feel very sad and emotional. I was 15 the first time i played it, i remember it was 23:30 PM and the next morning i had a test of biology but i didn't give a damn about that, FFX was more important. I end the game at 00:15 AM and i was really bad, i was connected to Yuna because like her i like helping people, both have a gigantic sense of duty and Tidus is a fine guy. After 3 days of feeling bad, i restart the game for 2 things 1: i wanted to do the journey again 2: i didn't grab the item of Cadalbog (or Ultima Weapon in Spanish, my Language) in Yunalesca's room and i didn't want to fight Dark Bahamut.
Well, an almost 4 hours and a half video and it felt like 10 minutes. Snyder's Justice League would be jelous. I loved this video. Not only it conveiled everything I love about this game (my personal favourite FF and the one I truly believe to be the absolute best, i'll die on this hill), but it made me realize things I didn't realize or I forgot. And despite this, I would have loved some mentionings of the things you didn't talked about, like the astral weapons or the Dark Aeons. Truly an amazing job.
@@Lionblaze-Prime thank you so much! I intend to actually make a new version of this also covering the dark aeons! I’ll make an announcement when it’s made :)
Absolutely spectacular video. This is hands down the best retrospective of any final fantasy game I have ever seen. You took us, the viewers, through such an amazing journey. This game is truly one of the greatest stories ever told, and this video shows that off to an extraordinary level. Amazing work mate!
My father had not yet passed away when this game came out. He died soon after. This story has been seminal, pivotal, intrinsic to who and what I am ever since.
I still think the best detail in the game is that after Sin appears outside the Zanarkand Dome and turns to leave, the screaming and wailing coming from it follows the cadence and tempo of the Hymn of the Fayth. Same thing is heard when you go inside Sin. EDIT: After a year and another playthrough of FFX HD Remaster, I had to come back and point out that Tidus actually remembers the girls from the very start of the game when he was signing Blitzballs. They tell him they're sitting in "East Block, in the front row" and "Fifth from the right!" Then when Tidus is talking to Yuna at the first Rin wayhouse, he mentions that Blitz players can't let themselves be distracted by that "cute girl in the fifth seat from the right". God, there's just so much really incredible detail in this game.
I loved this review, I recently beat the game and it's one of the best stories I've encountered in any media and I wondered why wasn't popular o well known for addressing the mature topics that most games would shy away from touching nowadays..all the reviews I saw prior playing the game were talking about as if it was just another average game..calling villains like seymour your tipical bad guy but he's far from that I mean this game is underrated imo but you did justice to it and I'm sure that I'll come back to this review just to remember how awesome it was
Thank you so much, Manuel. I’m so glad you enjoyed the video and agree with my thoughts on the game, it’s such a beautiful and unique game, even among Final Fantasies. I think a lot of people failed to really take in the gravity and maturity of the story, and therefore dismisses it. But you and I know what’s up, and that’s what matters. Thanks again for watching and leaving a comment, I really appreciate it!
I remember playing this as a kid. I was so immersed in the story and talked about it at school with friends a lot. I ended up adopting the name Zanarkand as my online name. I've played many mmo's/rpgs .I love when people recognize my name, they remember everything about the story and you just connect with people from that. It was always my intention to remind people of this amazing story, I love hearing people be happy from the memory. I'm looking forward to a remake one day, it would be amazing to see the locations in this game truly explored in amazing detail just like FF7. Great video
Thank you so much for this video! I was curious about the story of FFX, and this was a perfect way to learn about it (since I don't currently have the time to play the game). You definitely succeed in breaking the story and characters down in an understandable way that got me attached to them. I actually paused the video when you got to it and went to go watch the final cutscene for myself, and it was enough to bring me to tears.
Oh man, I’m really glad I managed to convey the game to you if you’ve never really played it either! And yeah, great choice of watching the ending separately! I really wanted to use the music from the end, but sadly the cut scene and ending music was copyrighted so I wasn’t able to. Either way I’m really happy that the video made sense to you, and that you’ve experienced the emotional roller coaster that is FFX! Thanks for watching, my friend!
Dude this is one of the best full reviews of this game on UA-cam. This is my first rpg i played when i was 10 in 2003 and the first game i got emotionally attached to the characters and world and music and story. And also the first game that made me cry . I hold it close to my heart . Thanks for this man. As i got older tidus is the most relatable character in the entire final fantasy series.
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I’ll never forget the feeling I got as a kid when you reach Zanarkand and there’s no battle music just a fleeting dream playing. Truly one of my favorite memories. I love this game
Oh yes me too… just so fantastic.
And then when the piano hits. A true work of art.
It wasn't even the first time the game DID this, yet it was SO much more noticeable. Like when you are saving Yuna and the amped up track is playing in the background even during fights, it feels appropriate.
But Zanarkand Ruins?
That area makes you FEEL like you're walking over a massive graveyard and never lets the normal battle music break that tone. It is a dire, depressing reminder that millions of lives were lost here and the creatures you are fighting aren't just monsters, they are souls that have been twisted by their own envy and rage in their feelings of being cheated out of their lives. But on top of that, it's the final stretch before Yunalesca. You FEEL like the game is approaching its end and you know reaching Yunalesca means Yuna will die.
This moves it up from a graveyard to a funeral procession. You don't feel like you're about to conquer your enemy, you feel like you're escorting your friend to her demise, and Auron has done nothing but remind you of that fact up until that point.
And all of that conveyed by MUSIC.
I appreciate how the story went from everyone but Tidus originally knew that Yuna would've died at the end of the pilgrimage, but once she is saved, it's Tidus that takes her place. He doesn't burden anyone with that knowledge so no one will hesitate to see it through to the end. Protect the summoner even at the cost of one's life. The code of the guardian.
Exactly.
@@AndysTake It was an absolutely fabulous narrative switch and, honestly, I prefer the Canon where he is gone. It was a great wrap up to the story and don't need him to magic his way back.
To be fair, there has since been some clarification about the ending of FFX.
For one, the visual novel and FFX-2 never should have happened. They were unplanned, rushed out products trying to ride off the back of a Greatest Hits game that had JUST come out. But the ending of FFX itself is... Interesting. You guys know the cover art to the game? The one where Tidus is standing in the water with Brotherhood and you see Besaid in the background as well as Zanarkand in the horizon?
That wasn't just cover art.
That was meant to be the cannon ending of the game; he comes back. That's why that after credits scene of him swimming up exists. And there are a TON of chekov's guns in place suggesting his return. For example, right before Yuna's final speech where she is whistling for Tidus just like he taught her to do when she needed him to hurry back to her. Seems like a bitter and sad passing moment.. until you realize from a writing standpoint, they never even USED that whistle throughout the game, it was just brought up and dismissed for the rest of the game until that scene. Then there is the fact that Auron leaves slightly sooner than Tidus and says "This is YOUR world now". Awfully strange thing for him to say given he never really expressed any broad altruistic desires for the whole party, but he DID talk to Tidus quite a bit about similar topics throughout the story... EXCEPT in this cutscene, UNLESS you consider he is speaking directly to Tidus. There's the fact that Tidus has an incredibly CASUAL greeting to his father when he sees him upon rejoining the spirits, just giving him a high five, unless you consider he intended to return to Spira somehow and the period after was him focusing on doing that very thing.
And this is where the cover art comes from. Disclosure, this isn't fan theory, this was CONFIRMED by the devs: Tidus is standing in the water with Brotherhood, a sword he hadn't yet acquired yet nor ever went into the water with and he is surrounded by PYREFLIES.. but there were no Pyreflies on Besaid's beach... But there WERE in that post credits cutscene.
Originally, the deve wanting his emergence from the water with the sword to BE the final shot of the game. They just, y'know, "ran out of time". The classic.
TL;DR
Tidus was always supposed to be resurrected, but the cutscene from FFX-2 was not how it was originally envisioned and was a lot more subdued in the original pitch.
He was no guardian.. nothing but a simp.
People who say the laughing scene is bad or an example of bad voice acting, understand NOTHING from that cutscene.
Very true.
@Kel Rowland Are you serious?
@Kel Rowland Joke
@Kel Rowland you’re very mistaken man.
- "that laugh sounds so fake"
- "yes...that's the point, its a forced laugh to hide how sad they actually are"
50:00 Bahamuts human spirit is a child I always knew it of course but it never really clicked why a child is the “strongest” aeon. Because that was the weight of the child’s sacrifice.
Damn, I never thought about it like that
It could also be why anima is so powerful too, a mother sacrificing herself for her son, but seymour didn’t follow through which is why he never became a high summoner and now she still only wants to protect her son despite his insanity
I interpreted it slightly differently. Since all summons are the dreams of the fayth. I always saw it as a child's dreams are the most powerful. But I like the way you see it too.
@@MiliGenkishi yeah that's how I interpreted it as well. A child's dreams are so much more vivid and powerful than adults. But the weight of the sacrifice makes sense too.
Like they said Anima being so strong because of the mother/son bond so a child sacrificing itself for the world could also be seen as a strong/selfless sacrifice.
I though it was a child but with mentality of an adult. Resembling childhood trauma that Tidus had. I might be wrong. Tidus always get ti deal with his childhood trauma feeling not loved and negolected by his mom when his father was nearby. His fathers narcissism reflects his parenthood. Saying to his son hes better then him that no one is better then him. He didnt do encouragement more rediculement off his son. Mind that hes a child that dont have benifits of an adult to understand his father.
Words cannot describe how beautiful these 4+ hours were
Thank you so much, Shino :) I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I never even thought of Tidus as immature or annoying. I'm 26 and honestly his "wtf is going on and why?" Reactions make sense to me. He wants answers and clarity. As anyone in his position would. He NEVER came off as too much or annoying to me. A guy thrown into a situation he knows nothing about and makes the best of it. In fact for a 17 year old....compared to others I know. Tidus may be the most mature 17 year old to ever live lol
EXACTLY, thank you. I think they did an excellent job portraying that, and anything less would have been weird and unrealistic, in my opinion. They really dared to take a unique approach to their main character, and I love that so much.
people just dont have empathy anymore it seems. too much TeChNolGy i guess lmao
Such a great point, he is absolutely mature for a 17 year old. Dude fights fiends and cataclysmic level battles and still keeps his composure, he doesn’t deserve all the grief he gets from people who (a lot of the time) have barely, if ever, played this masterpiece of a game.
As someone who's watched and read a lot immature protagonists in films and books, I can say with absolute certainty that Tidus is NOT one of them.
I was 2 years younger than Tidus when this game came out and I thought he was remarkably mature for a 17 yo.
One thing I appreciate as an adult that I recognized as a kid but couldn’t articulate was Tidus and his different tone when narrating versus how he talks every other time. He lacks any of his usually higher octaves and optimism and as you play the game he slowly matches that more cynical tone he has when he’s in narrator mode
Yes exactly. It’s like he’s speaking to us from at least past when reaching Zanarkand. Because those narrative things kind of stop post that, don’t they?It’s amazingly done.
He didnt know the truth, it changed him 😭😭
@@Scantronacon We, also, didnt know the truth. Getting to real world Zanarkand and learning the truth was such a gut punch, I even remember not understanding it the first time.
My mind couldnt accept that Tidus was in essence, not real.
I love IX, is my favorite, is the best, Vivi is the GOAT, but Tidus was the first (and possibly only) main character in the series who actually felt like a real person.
He is a 17 years old kid having to deal with the fact that his dad, who was already an asshole, is a literal monster killing millions, and he has to put him down, while dealing with the fact he is in another world, the love of his life is going to die, and, you know...learning he doesnt even exist.
How was a 17 years old kid going to react to all of this???
As a teenager, I remember I disliked him, back when I though Cloud and Squall were "cool", but as an adult, I apreciate how relatable Tidus is.
@@Jose-se9pu Glad to hear it, I think Tidus is soooo under appreciated because people just didn’t understand him when they played the game.
I was in my late teens when I was playing this game and got up to Yuna's wedding scene when due to unforeseen circumstances, I left my home and my family and this would be the last game I ever played. Looking back at this brings a conclusion to a story that remained unresolved in my mind for 20 years. Your narration and pacing was seamless and felt like part of the game itself. Thank you for devoting the time to make this 4.5 hour epic.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and watching, my friend! I’m so glad you enjoyed the video, and that I could guide you through the rest of the story! I hope you’re doing well, mate.
Wishing you the best as you progress through life.
Damn bro, wanna borrow my xbox or somethin'? You're missing out 👍
An interesting play on their names: I heard that "Yuna" means "Moon", and "Tida" means "Sun". It is said in the game that Yuna "walks in the darkness but shines her light around", just like the Moon does. While Tidus both shines and walks in the light (believing everything to be good and optimistic) - he shines and he is in the light, too, like the Sun. But the Sun must eventually set - it's no coincidence that "listen to my story" cutscene happens at the sunset, and in the darkness Sun can go no more. Still, the Sun - well, it "still shines as it sinks into the sea", or so the song goes.
The funny thing about Jecht, by the way, is that Auron was wrong about him. Jecht said he'll cook up something to stop Sin for good, but Auron then narrated that "yet Jecht managed to do nothing in the end, and the cycle continued". But, on the contrary - Jecht delivered his son into Spira! A son as stoic and stubborn as he himself was!
And this very act of bringing Tidus to Spira was the end of Sin ultimately!
You’re right :) so beautiful!
The cutscenes lend themselves well to the sun and moon names.
Tidus glistens in the light with bright surroundings and Yuna glows in the dark with ambient lighting.
"Suteki Da Ne" is such a beautiful song 😭
@@ivercingetorix1367 A good point! They have thought it through so much, and put in little details that are there for the attentive people to catch!
This isn't quite right, I've been on a bit of a FFX content binge these past few days and another video I saw actually cleared up this misconception.
While its true that the creator of the game was quoted saying that Tidus means sun and Yuna moon, in japanese this isn't quite true.
Tidus does mean sun but Yuna doesn't mean moon, instead Yuna is the name of the Hibiscus flower which itself is commonly associated with moonlight because it blooms at night. Yuna's dress and design also match the Hibiscus flower.
I'm sure I botched something here but that's the general gist of it, I'm not sure if the creator was incorrect when he said Yuna meant moon, if it was a mistranslation, or maybe that's just what Yuna symbolizes to him personally.
@@13thnite But is it in Japanese really? It was said that Tida and Yuna are words from Ainu language, which is not language of Japanese Empire, but rather of Indigenous people they assimilated?
To all those that have come here, those that played this game back when we were kids on the ps2. This game is special and still holds such a deep place inside all of our hearts for very good reasons. The story was both intimate and epic. The love story was heartbreaking. The score was incredible and the world was so beautiful. But this game was greater than the sum of its parts and has brought us all here for a reason. I still ache for this game from time to time. I will never get lost in a game like this again. There was just something magical about this game and I'm so happy we all got to experience it.
You said it, Leigh :) thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
I totally agree!
I agree with you. We're all together in this. This game has marked an era in my life where I was alone, lonely, and felt unloved by my parents who hated each other. FFX was my escape from all the pain, and I was totally immersed in its world. It felt more real and accepting of me compared to the real world, family, and 'friends'.
Several years after, I have been through a lot and is wiser and mature, have a wife and kid. Life is far from perfect but I am able to create an environment for my family that is healthy, healing myself from my dark and painful past.
The story of FFX taught me how to love, cherish the people around me, face the truths about life (rather than believe a beautiful life) and be curious about the mystical nature of our reality.
I somehow think that the people who truly LOVED this game to their heart and soul are the ones I'm going to truly vibe with.
To all of you fellow FFX fans, I wish you all the best years of your lives. Have a good one!
Well said, i downloaded an emulator to play it on my gaming laptop. Just so i could experience it again. And it didn't disappoint at all.
@@kingoftheorienti feel this 💯
The fact that someone would analyse this gem of a game for 4 hours make me feel so proud.
Respect.
Thanks, man, appreciate it :)
Resonant Arc just started their story analysis of FFX with episodes dropping weekly. Should end up being over 4 hours. Not saying this to take the spotlight away from op, moreso to let you know that there's even more long-form FFX goodness coming :-)
I got stuck in front of a train waiting to go home for like an hour tonight. This retrospective was very entertaining and now I'm just hooked lol
@@tylerhaunted so glad to hear it, Tyler! That really means a lot.
@@Y-two-K I'll second this. They do good work over there at resonant arc. Lots of content for jrps from that channel so fans cup runneth over. Nice video here as well for sure.
This game is really a love letter to how you feel when you are suddenly hit with grief, despair, loss and just the inevitably of losing someone and how you grow and change and just deal with everything that is coming at you all at once.
Ooof. Ya hit me right in the feels
That was the absolute best way to describe this game 💯🙌🏾. I’m going to use this from now on when I tell people about it for the few people that some how missed this wonderful game .
Profound ❤
This is why I need to play it in cycles. At the right time in my life
The amazing score doesn't ever get enough credit, it's one of the best out of any video game
100%, I think it’s the best ever made.
It is an absolute masterpiece. Seriously one of the best ever made across any medium.
Almost every mainline final fantasy game has one of the best video game soundtracks ever.
@@AndysTake I have yet to find a score that brings up as many emotions as this games.
I love the fact that Yu-yevon is just a tick, a parasite that is completely harmless without a host. But with one he becomes the ultimate entity.
well harmless is a stretch, he has pretty strong magic on its own (he will cast osmose + ultima if you waste enough turns)
@@hyper_channel Forgot about that 😅
@@lordplague3555 no worries mate, it has been over 20 years after all 💀
You get auto-life during that fight tho
As yes. We all know ticks become all powerful but ONLY when they’re biting something
The fact that Tidus embraces that he is not real with joy rather than concern made me appreciate him a lot. He keeps this to himself even when the Fayths warn him he will disappear. The fact that he forgives his abusive father like nothing is quite a nice take of unconditional love. Many say Yuna is supposed to the MC, but Tidus is really the Sun that shines in the dark game.
He's an amazing protagonist. Obviously he is the MC, but Yuna is definitely the second one.
Oof I just love that last sentence. In the narrative of Final Fantasy X, Tidus is without question the Protagonist. Yuna I would apply an interesting term I learned called the Deuteragonist, which is the second most primary character of a narrative.
“Sun Crest + Sigil”
@@BlindUnknown I think the intent is also that the main character shifts over time. Tidus is the main character up until zanarkand. But after that the story gives much more agency to yuna, because it's not a story about Tidus anymore, it's a story about yuna and how she defeats Sin. And that accompanies the fact that she goes from passive, following her pilgrimage and the teaching of yevon to actively rejecting it and finding another way, defying the status quo.
They don’t really say he was abusive. It’s not really forgiveness. It’s admitting he was wrong. The only thing he ever really knew about his father was his mom didn’t pay as much attention to him when he was around. That’s what he hated and when he was finally out of the picture his “death” changed his mother. He really didn’t do anything. Tidus was just always jealous and jecht came to symbolize everything wrong in his life or the world. Same thing in spira.
A detail I noticed on a recent playthrough that I didn't see you touch on in this video. When Tidus is distraught when he learns that Yuna will die he begins hitting Valefor, but she covers him with her wings, like a mother hen protecting her chick, almost like she's trying to comfort him, letting him release his frustration. Ever time I play through this game I see other little details that I missed and I love the game that much more. Everything, EVERYTHING, in this game is intentional and it's why this is my favorite game.
Yes that is a beautiful moment indeed :) it shows that the aeons are much more than just “monsters”, that they are actual people/beings just transformed into these things. Thank you for bringing it up!
Valefor is the goodest girl
I thought other games had it right but the more i play 10 the more i love it. it is becoming one of the greatest ff games IMO, 6/3 still holds that top spot for me currently though
I recently played it again with my boyfriend and when I noticed it I was in awe. And I played the first time when I was 13
Like when Tidus dancing in the background when Donna trying to start catfight with Yuna?
It blew my mind when you spoke about each Aeon singing their own Hym of the faith. Its such a small detail, but shows how much love went into creating this game. Its truly a masterpiece in everyday. I must have bought it 3 times and finished it at least 4. I first picked it up on ps2 becauss I thought the cover looked good and it was the 10th game! I might buy it again on the switch to support the team. Maybe one day we can get a prequel with Jeckt, Auron and Yunas Dad.
Yeah it’s an awesome detail :) I’ve bought it like 6 times myself, PS2, PS VITA, PS3, PS4, PC, Switch. That’s weird to think about haha
Lord Braska!
Not only that, but the voices are those of the spirits in the fayth. The fact that Bahamut is a kid comes through in the singing voice. Same with Seymour's mom. It's heartbreaking.
@@andyandy9449 Bahamut being a child kinda broke me, tbh. Such an aggressive dark character design to contrast.
Before they decided on the all female team for FFX-2, Square actually had that prequel idea in mind. I would have liked to see that too.
Hardly ever comment, but this video is an actual gem. So much work has gone in to this and I can really feel your love for this game. It made me wanna replay FFX again. Much respect.
Thank you so much for leaving the comment, makes my day when I read stuff like this :) so much work HAS gone into into, but your response makes it worth it, and especially if you get to play FFX again! Cheers, mate!
The "girl talk" moment with Rikku I think was the fact that Rikku knows that they are cousins and she was the daughter of Cid who Yuna has been told to trust.
There is so much in that scene that doesn't make sense. It's like they cut important scenes.
@asdfghjkllkjhgfdsa8725 There wasn't anything in that scene that didn't make sense. The only way you could think that the scene doesn't make sense is if you forgot the fact that Yuna is half Albhed. Also, if you pay attention, then you'd realize that Yuna and Rikku already knew who each other was at that point.
I've watched many ffx retrospectives over the last few months, and this is the best one on UA-cam, in my opinion. You do a great job capturing the little details and generally what makes this game so great. Your commentary is pleasant and well delivered. Thank you for allowing me to relive a game that meant so much to me, with putting the feeling into words I could never come up with myself. Cheers
@@FantasticQuack thank you so much for both the super thanks and the kind words my friend, it means a lot :) as my favourite game I still wonder how they managed to make such a compelling and thoughtful story and cast of characters, not to the mention the music and the extreme visual jump from FFIX just a year earlier. Cheers again!
This game was a formative experience for me. It kept me going during a huge shift in my life and cracked my emotional brain open like an egg. It's so sad at times. Yuna's resignation to dying and wanting to experience a happy final journey is so powerful. And coming to realise that's it's all a sham. And that's ignoring the love story. I absolutely love it.
Indeed it is, it’s absolutely fantastic.
This has been in my “watch later” for a few months because I knew when I started watching I was gonna go all the way to the end in one sitting, you really did this game justice explaining how good it really is.
Thank you so much, Rashad, that really means a lot to hear. I’m so glad you watched it (and after all these months haha!) and am so happy you think I did justice :)
@@AndysTake Would you ever personally want to see a remake of ffx? Or do you think it would end up “soulless” and not compare to the original?
It's extra sad when at the end of the laughing scene she says "I want my journey to be full of laughter" when you consider what she believed that journey's end would be. I'm not done with the video yet, but I want to say props to you for reviving my feelings for this game. I was obsessed with it when I played it when I was younger, but with time I thought that was just me being a kid. Watching this, I'm struck that no, it really was special and worthy of that.
It really was something truly special indeed.
And we experienced it in real time., easily top 5
The descent from the airship to disrupt the wedding was the most hype moment of the game.
unforgettable moment!
That boss battle before was a pain in the butt
@@trump_won_3261smh it was. I was stuck on it for almost a year
That scene alone in the commercial on Toonami made me get the game when it launched
@@TheEnigmaticBM39 i took turns with a friends grinding in 12 hours shifts during summer holidays to level up lmao. I remember we did that at 4 points in the game, but i can only remember this one
This is in my opinion the greatest game of all time, no game has touched my soul in a similar manner. The story has been etched into my memories as though I had lived every moment in real life, I remember all the characters like old friends, the laughter the saddness, the romance and especially every victory along the way, a game that spirits you away into another world and back, a true master piece ❤😢
save!!
Finally someone did justice to my favorite game of all time. My life begun the moment I started playing Final Fantasy X is what I say. Such a special gem that I hold very dear in my heart.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video, my friend. FFX is truly astounding, and this game changed my life forever as well. It will never get old.
Dansg08 also makes great ffx videos.
Po
MKMnnnN
My favorite scene in the game, is when Tidus first meets Auron in Luca.
It's exactly how anyone would react.
Tidus is obviously upset at Auron, but he has to go with him
It’s one of my favourites as well. It’s amazing in every way, and I love the genuine emotions expressed in that scene.
I think everyone who grew up gaming has that "one" special game. I'm so glad that this was mine. To zanarkand just does something amazing to my brain when i hear it.
I know that feeling, Cal!
like instant tears lol in a good way, game means a lot to me
It's my "one" special game too! The entire soundtrack makes me feel so many different emotions....a lot of it is nostalgia, but it's also deepened in meaning with time as my perspective on the game changes.
Similarly, the Prelude song in FFVII just hit different as I played more and more of the game. As if its meaning was slowly unveiled to me with every successive play session.
The intro is just so iconic, epic and special. When you are walking over the bridge and the radio host is talking about running away from home and how the disappearance of Jeht brought him and his dad closer together.... perfect. They dont make games like that anymore. So much love and passion put into a work of art.
I really agree. We can only hope FF16 offers half of the love and passion FFX did.
@@AndysTake I come from the future and the answer is nahhh. FF16 is just bad GoT fanfic with some decent combat
@2:39:32 Sin doesn't just appear. The party has been hanging out on the back of Sin the entire time after they fell through the ice. You can tell by the ruined buildings that are around them. They're identical to those found on Sin.
Jecht saved the party as Sin.
I don't blame him for missing this I certainly did playing it as a child but it is alluded to in game as well in the dialogue. The party doesn't realize it, except Auron probably, but they evaded death here by landing on Sin's back.
What. No way.
I've never realized that, holy shit
Goddamn...
This game is so much deeper and spiritual than any other FF-game by far. While many are futuristic and military-focused, this one is personal and epic. A true hero's journey. Yeah, it is the best Final Fantasy game, no doubt. While the voice actor of Tidus wouldn't be my first... or second... or whatever choice, and it may be too easy overall (even without ever using a Aeon) this game is near perfection in every other sense. At least, to me. I've played many RPGs, since the mid 90ies. This one I can play over and over again and it never bores me. I didn't need to see more of spira, for this game is not about a world alone. It's a personal story full of self-sacrifice and believe. Also, I really love the character of Jekkt. He grows so much.
A prequel is all I pray for.
Imagine this game with Unreal Engine 5.
0 seconds ago
“While many are futuristic and military focused.”
Apparently Zanarkand, the numerous war robots and an airship equipped with nuclear missiles flew right past you.
@@zephyr8072 Lets compare FF8 to FFX. Or FF7 to FFX. Or FFXV to FFX. And so on. Do you see my point....?
@@ranzigerkaefer FF7 is contemporary/steampunk.
FF8 is contemporary/futuristic.
FF15 is contemporary.
FF10 is futuristic/post-apocalyptic. It in fact has the most futuristic intro of any FF after FF13.
Zanarkand is more advanced than Midgar or Insomnia or any city in Cocoon. It’s arguably more advanced than Esthar because Esthar can’t levitate water.
Ff7 is considered better in America.
Iff7 also sold more. Ff7 wins
It's weird how people dislike his VA so much, I thought he did a great job under the same restrictions as the rest of the cast (having to match lipflaps/make not super well localized dialogue in some cases work)
James Arnold Taylor is the VA, and he does amazing work, he's been the voice of Ratchet in all the Ratchet and Clank games, and he voiced Obi-Wan in the star wars: the clone wars animated series, on top of a million other big profile things cus he does genuinely good work.
Him, Wakka (John Dimaggio, voice of Bender in Futurama), and Rikku (Tara Strong, voice actor of everyone's childhood including kids today haha) are like, the biggest names in the cast
It is a beautiful game. The pacing, the drama, the characters, the soundtrack, the atmosphere and world-building, the technical skill involved in weaving a compelling game experience with minor loading. The developers had spend years honing their craft and ability, to create a strong narrative and technical execution of these types of RPG. One of the strongest titles ever - and something a whole generation of gamers remember.
Well put!
It's crazy that it's the first 3d entry. This is 1yr after ff9. That's insane. Imagine going from addition and multiplication to trigonometry
♡♡♡
Its definitely the magnum opus for squaresoft
I remember playing this as a teen and loving it but it wouldnt be until I played through it again as an adult that i realized how grim and tragic its story really was.
Same
The first time you play you are Tidus, exploring a new world and experiencing everything as he does. All future plays its like Yuna, enjoying the journey to tragedy you know is waiting. I do wish I could experience the game for the first time again, since it feels so different on subsequent playthroughs.
That’s a very good way to put it! Thank you so much for watching :)
Great video thanks for making, a note on 02:36:50 - I read speculation that where the party is here is literally on top of Sin, that little mini city you can see on it's head, that's then how the party gets transported to Bikanel Island.
I can safely say that FFX is one of my all time favourite games. I regularly go back, and thank my lucky stars I was introduced to it by a friend.
Thank the stars for friends! :D
Facts! Chrono cross a close second.
@@randallmart92 duuuude yes :o I have talked to friends about this game before. I remember playing it at my cousin's house, I don't think I ever beat it though. I could never remember the name of it though. I am now buying this game asap. Thankyou so much!
@@jacobburr3570 Np :) they got the remaster coming out on the 7th this Thursday i believe. 20$ for all the consoles/pc i think.
@@randallmart92 :o your like guardian gaming angel! Perfect timing! I'll wait a few days in that case, I'll come back and give you an update :D
Wow, that was really beautiful. It's been so long since I completed FFX, so it was really nostalgic to relive the journey like this. I definitely remember the different story beats better than I do for almost any game I haven't played in that long, which really speaks to how memorable the game is, but there were also fascinating details I had forgotten.
I am, for instance, fairly sure I made the exact same mistake back then of thinking Lulu's flare was some kind of teleportation spell, not just a signal to Wakka. Strange!
Another thing I had forgotten was that Auron was killed by Yunalesca, which raises the question, if he died back then,why did he seemingly continue to age?
Also got a renewed appreciation for how hard Auron's theme hits every time it plays in the actual story. A great theme on its own, but they use it for several of the most unforgettable moments.
Must have been a massive amount of work to put this together, but time really flew by watching it Amazing work!
Thank you ❤️ haha it’s kinda crazy about that Lulu flare, it just looks like teleportation because the whole scene is about moving fast and then getting back to the stadium, but it’s fun we both made that connection.
Also about Auron, I read something on that, and you’re very right, Auron looks 55, when he’s actually only 35. But I think, despite being unsent and therefore theoretically stuck at his 25 year old age (?), that using Sin to move to Zanarkand aged him there, since he was no longer in Spira. Might just be a way to explain an overlooked thing or poorly thought out age gap though, he definitely looks like 20-30 years older than in the Jecht Spheres, but yeah, that’s sort of what I’ve found
@@AndysTake I always thought her flare was her like magicking up a screen for them to watch on then and there, because she mentions watching him float in the sphere. Amazing detail to notice, love how this game changes my perception of stuff even 15 years down the line!
@@robbennett2436 Haha love the interpretations of her magic!
I always interpreted fiends and such, the way they appear, as being the result of a sort of self perception thing.
Maybe Auron ages because he perceives himself as having aged.
I was 11 when it came out and my sister is a year and a half younger than me. We were best friends. She watched me play this ENTIRE game because of the story. With both cried our hearts out when it ended and we watched it together.
That's wholesome and sad. Did the same thing with my brother who's 3 years younger than me. It was very special indeed.
The third fight with Seymour, on Mt. Gagazet, is definitely the toughest. Every play through I do, I grind and grind on the mountain to prepare with the right abilities. It is a tough fight that can really catch you slacking.
This is the game that got me into gaming, and basically shaped my teen years, and to a degree, who i am. I love this game more than any other.
Love this game. The setting, themes, music... just perfect.
Thank you for making such an in-depth review.
Thank you so much, Bjorn, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER or show your support with SUPER THANKS! :D If you enjoyed the video, and if you’d like more long format reviews/analysis of games like this, I’d REALLY appreciate it if you’d consider supporting me by becoming a channel member or supporting me on Patreon. This review took an entire moth of full time work to make, but I’d love to make more. So if you’re feeling generous or just want to support me and see more stuff like this, I’d really appreciate the support :) www.patreon.com/andystake.
I’ve never understood people’s hate of the laughing scene, even when I was playing it on release I’ve always loved it
@@princton23 same with me :)
People who mock it have no intention of playing and haven't played it. They don't have the context or wish to know it. Hehe fart voice acting bad is as far as it goes
As this is a video of considerable lenght, im watching this in pieces. but thank you for bringing me back to a game ive easily spend hundreds of hours on. From the funny, to the emotional. ive been on a rollercoaster every time i played this game. (ps. nice going into the details. there are thing i havent paid attention to ever. can still learn about this game it seems ^^)
@@Bahalex1991 thank you so much for watching, my friend, I’m so glad you’re liking it and taking your time with it :)
Final fantasy 10 is truly a masterpiece of a game, it just goes to show that games are art, this game just exemplifies that IMO
This game always has a special place in my heart. It's really hard to put into words the emotions it evokes but you said it perfectly. Thank you for making it!
Thank you so much, Minh, I’m so glad you enjoyed the video :)
IMHO, this is the saddest story ever written. When Yuna tries to hug Tidus at the end, I break every single time. 10/10 video.
Yes :’(
Yeah I was 19 years old when I played this game, and it blew my mind. I saw voice acting for the first time, insanely beautiful cutscenes that seemed far ahead of their time...when Tidus and Yuna were in the water together and he kissed her-WOW! And yeah the ending was gut wrenching. Two games I want a remake of, or at least a continuation of, FFX, and Chrono trigger.
I recently replayed this as an adult and honestly it’s probably one of the only games that leaves me completely sobbing at the end. That and Dragon Quest 11 in the tower of time…
I would add Crisis Core too… but that game didn’t leave me sobbing. It just left me broken.
Believe me its not.. They write the sequel novel n believe me u going to rage if u know the continuation from the audio bonus
@@lastboss2418Let’s just pretend that never happened
No wonder FF12 had a hard time living up to FFX's expectations in terms of how deep, long and well developed the story of FFX was. I am inspired to get back to this game as I last played it back in the ps2 era. I hope you make a follow up for FFX-2 on how it has supplemented or unnecessary at all depending on your take why they had to make a "true ending" for FFX.
Thank you, Patrick! I will consider FFX-2, it would take a massive amount of time, and since I’m not paid by the hour, it’s hard to do right now. But perhaps one day :)
X-2 didnt change the ending of X.
X-3 was going to, but fortunatly, they never made that game.
@@AndysTake I would love to see a video for FFX-2! But totally understand about the time commitment! ❤ It takes a lot of heart to create something this amazing.
@@ria.thrift Thank you so much, Ria, I’m excited to get it done EVENTUALLY, but have no idea when :D
How could anyone downvote this masterpiece? I'm only halfway through, but this just spectacular. UA-cam recommended me a real gem.
That means the world, Kenshin, thank you so much ❤️ let me know your thoughts if you finish the full video :)
Thanks to UA-cam removing dislike count, we will never find out how many people did downvote this video
@Kissalude same. Tidus was crybaby. But I stick with him till the end. I hated the cloister of trials. No open world too.
@@szymps 53 downvotes using the browser extension to see how them... anyway FFX is one of my favorite FF games and Auron is still one of myfavorite video game characters of all time.
I mean, the use of HD Remastered footage pretty much requires a downvote.
Astonishing video. This reminded me of how good this game is and how happy I am that I shared my Final Fantasy games with you way back then! ❤️
MVP ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing your games with him! We all benefit with these wonderful videos.
Real quick I just wanted to touch on the narration of Tidus, I think it was the first time I can remember a story being told like this, and it was done SOOOOO well.
This game - to see someone else love it as much as I do
Honestly puts me in my feelings. This game is so important to me as a person. I can’t explain the amount of tears I’ve shed over this beautiful story and what it means to me.
Thank you so much for watching, Yuukio, I’m so glad you found the video and enjoyed it! I put all my love for the game into it, and I’m glad you recognize the passion for FFX :)
Want more Final Fantasy analysis? Check out my FF7 Rebirth Nibelheim in-depth review right here, and follow my new RPG-focused channel :) ua-cam.com/video/JH2TEhS4C0w/v-deo.html
And here I am 180 minutes in with not a chance of not finishing. You reminded me why this game was the first piece of art that I played. This game changed my life. It instilled empathy, looking past what’s right in front of you, and duty to be above yourself. This is the greatest game I’ve ever played and I owe my own development to this game. Thanks for the 4 hour video 🤩
I feel exactly the same way, my friend. Thank you so much for watching, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Mate. First of all thank you for putting in all the work into creating this masterpiece. You talked about so much stuff I’ve never noticed or really thought about while playing the game years ago. You really made me fall in love with the game again and you made me appreciate the story so much more. Secondly I started to download the game again yesterday with the intention to replay the story myself and grind the *expletive* out of it. Much love ❤
Thank you so much for saying that, my friend, it means a lot to hear! I hope you enjoy the game again, it's so incredible to relive :)
Beautiful work! This game is at the top of my list, I play it through every 5 years or so and love it more each time
Got the remaster worth it. Auron's BITTER, yet calm commentary throughout the game. Which becomes urgent sincerity after Zanarkand, "a promise I made to Jecht"
This game is gonna break so many people emotionally when the remake eventually comes out. First timers and veterans alike.
Stay away from the summoner but don't stay away from this review!
Thank you so much! 😊
You're a bad man!
This game was my first Final Fantasy game, together with Tales of Symphonia it got me through so much and also helped me learn about right and wrong. It also taught me how to properly read, speak and write English, so many fond memories.
Absolutely unreal how many layers there are to the story. To the origin of Spira and Sin, to the religious and social commentary, to the concept of death, to how we interpret dreams, etc.
I really like how, in the ending scene, the way that each character has talked about grief reflects in the way they hold themselves when Tidus is leaving them - Rikku's happy waving him goodbye, Wakka's desperate fidgeting, like he needs to find some way to fix it, Lulu's acceptance, Yuna's quiet stillness, and Kimahri's simple observance of it. It shows just how much thought they put into the characterisation of everyone.
This is my second time watching this video. The first time, it really hit me just how much religious connotation was there. Not only that, but the amount of things they call back to and set up in the beginning of the narrative. Final Fantasy X was my first ever Final Fantasy, and I loved it so much. I still play it to this day.
I remember how, when I first played it, getting to Mt. Gagazet had me in tears. Kimahri's battle with Biran and Yenke with Servants of the Mountain playing in the background was emotional enough, but finding out that, hours of being on the mountain later, (because it took that long the first time, lol) Seymour had killed every single one...man, those scenes really got me, and it sucks seeing other reviewers of the game calling Kimahri a useless character. Even though he doesn't say much, he has so much emotional weight to him, and even in the sphere of Yuna's, where she tells the story of how she begged him not to go, and he stayed, it shows just how caring he is. I just love Kimahri so much and I wish he was real so I could give him a big hug.
Thank you for the comment, Jake! You’re so right, every character is truly their own, even Kimahri, whose depth is shown throughout the game.
People who say Kimahri is useless are the ones who didn’t pay attention at all and just sped through and didn’t care about the context.
There's something special and more real about Titus's courage, it feels bigger for how much he isn't a badass. It feels pure.
There's also something sweet about the narrative juxtaposition... Titus spends the first 3/4ths of the game with everyone understanding what's happening better than he does, but then spends that last part of the journey as the only one who really understands the true scope of events and that has a complete picture. This is something few games manage to pull off, but it's awesome in FFX. It makes the ultimate sad victory feel well earned.
Edit: also I'm not sure if FFX is the best video game story (FF: Tactics is the game that competes most fiercely for affection) but, it is my favorite and is personally the most meaningful story to me.
Exactly, you put that so well.
This may sound silly to some, but this game is what made me start to doubt my religious beliefs. The idea that religion can be used for the benefit of those in power to control people. This game taught me to stop praying in vain for hardship to end and instead make my own story. Favorite game of all time for this
Hey, I know I'm a couple of months late, but I saw this and wanted to reach out. I actually left Christianity when I was doing a Master's Degree in Theology. If you ever want to talk about your doubts and going through struggles as a result, let me know. I'm an atheist now and have been for about a decade. It was liberating and when I replayed FFX, I felt like I understood the story on a deeper level having gone through such an experience with religion as well. Anyway, I'm here if you want to talk. Either way, I love that we share such an appreciation for this game!
@@EddieMahaffey ...wait until you find out, that god is indeed real - just not as religion wants to tell us.. ;)
@@FluffyFractalshard I'm really skeptical of things like this. You make a claim and even imply that it's something I'll find out. Then, however, you just drop it. I think this can be a bit harmful to the wrong person. As I've said, I left religion as I was doing a Master's Degree in Theology, so I'm secure in my view of the world. That being said, a person searching could receive false hope from this and stop their search. That can have devastating consequences.
May the spaghetti monster bless you all
I don't doubt my Christian beliefs but Grandia 2 beat FF X and the anti church plot line by a year. One of the reasons i have always disliked FF series is other games do it first but people only know it from FF when all they did was rip off games that came before them. Same thing i said when everyone said FF7 was the first game to kill off a party member and i had to roll my eyes.
One of the things that I find so fascinating about Yuna is that she isn't actually optimistic until very late in the game; she's a realist with a lot of resolve.
Since Titus is the narrator, we never see her breakdowns. She goes to great lengths to hide that, and it's frequently implied that she has times where she isn't great and Titus doesn't usually recognize the subtext.
Yuna is also able to understand a person's nature quickly unless there is incredibly skilled deceit at play. Her initial reactions to Seymore seem genuinely fearful, but her religion kept her from telling that to anyone.
I think it's because of her realism about how effed up their world is, and her empathy, that she initially believes Titus about Zanarkand. Like, monsters roam the world and I have to conjure basically dead monster people after entreating them in rituals in order to finally die at the end. What? Someone has arrived under mysterious circumstances claiming to be from the dead city? *meets him* nah, this is legit.
Great points, thanks for sharing! :) she’s a really wonderful character.
Good observations haha, man I love seeing people love this game.
Man, you were so right about the "awkward" laughs, back then I just graduated from uni and I had so little understanding to pains in life. Now, when I played this part again last week, it totally felt different, it was so well written, along with the dialogues from NPCs in their world.
I am so happy I found this! You’ve captured my memories, you’ve brought me such joy, I can’t even say thank you enough… I appreciate you my friend
@@hectorlumbagoCringe thank you so much for watching, for more final fantasy in the future please check out my RPG focused channel, Andy’s Critique :)
@@AndysTakewill do my friend, you are amazing
Having played the PS1 FFs I remember being blown away by how gorgeous this game was.
While not my favourite, it's definitely the one I'd recommend to newcomers to the series.
I was absolutely blown away as well, literally thought it looked realistic
I actually think this game is the best game for newcomers since it's relatively easy at first and has a gentle learning curve with some good difficulty spikes along the way. The battle system is easy to get to grips with and the sphere grid is easy to understand despite looking daunting at first. The story is good and blends a lot of the futuristic and more traditional fantasy elements together. Also, despite how some view the quality of the voice acting, most of it is quite good with some excellent direction and voiced characters are easier for new players to get into games, especially since voice acting has been the standard in most games since the late 90s and early 00s
Fun fact, the ruins under Macalania lake are the ruins that are on top of Sin apparently. That's how Jecht transported them to Bikanel Desert. Dansg08 had a video on it a while ago. "This Little FFX Discovery Blew My Mind"
Also, great video, thanks for making it.
Not just Macalania Lake either at 10:21, 1:43:25 & 2:37:32 those buildings all appear, the top of Sins back appears multiple times. Sin was with them the whole time, following them, helping them. Taking them and Tidus to where they needed to go.
FFX will forever be my favourite game. First FF I completed, and since then I've completed it on PS2, PS3 and PS4 including Penance all times. Loved the atmosphere, the music, the battle system, the colours, the fact that it truly felt like a fantasy game, and above all: the story. Haven't finished the video yet, but I'm just a few minutes in and can already tell this will be a great video. FFXII comes second, feels like an overlooked game sometimes, but it's really good too.
Glad you love the game so much, Aeneiden, and thank you so much for watching :) I completely agree with you!
Exactly the same as you. Played through X when I was only 6. I can't strain enough the fact that It changed me from the inside. This game never left me completely. XII is my second favorite which I tend to place first in terms of gameplay.
I just want to say,first off….Thank you so much for this.FFX is a game close to my heart and I’ve watched a LOT of videos about it and listened to a lot of people telling the story of FFX but yours……yours was simply amazing.You tell it so well,offering your narrative whilst combining the gameplay elements to a T.A very big well done to you sir.
I would also like to offer my thanks for not infecting your video with Adverts every 6 or so minutes like many others.You have earned a sub and I look forward to more content.
Take care.
Thank you so much Nick, that means a lot :) I'm so glad you enjoyed the video, I'm excited to hopefully bring more Final Fantasy longform content soon :)
@@AndysTake and I will very much indeed welcome it.Keep up the great work Andy
Must have been 20 years ago on PS2, hundreds of hours so I could beat the dark aeons and Penance.. but what a story, still the best story in gaming I've ever seen. "The friends that we've lost and the dreams that have faded.. never forget them.." Roll end credits.. and roll the tears down my cheeks
Top tier video celebrating a top tier game. It is amazing to me how much more I appreciate this game as the years pass. When it came out I was 13, and while I enjoyed the gameplay, the story did not resonate with me. Now, having adulted for a while now including raising a 9 year old little guy, this story wrecks me. Things such as Wakka bringing joy to people by winning as a way to distract from the harsh reality of life, or the relationship between Tidus and Jecht, or taking a deep look at your beliefs and religion in order to get past inherited biases - they all strike a deep connection now. It is a masterpiece that I just wasnt ready for at 13.
Well said, Daniel! Thank you so much for watching and sharing your thoughts. This game definitely ages like a fine wine as people grow up and understand the story better than when they were kids
This video was insane to watch, I enjoyed every minute of it during the 2 weeks that I played the shound while driving to work. You treated every aspect of it so well I'm speechless. Thank you very much for doing this video!
Thank you so much, Victor, that’s so nice to hear! I’m so glad you enjoyed it :)
The Macalania scene is one of the, maybe THE greatest cutscenes in gaming history. I cry everytime I see it, because it's so bittersweet
You’re right :’( and it’s so incredibly iconic as well. Just so beautiful.
Beautiful tribute to my most favorite FF-Game. Thank you so much for putting all that work into it. I enjoyed every second.
My absolute pleasure, my friend, and thank you so much for watching and sharing your thoughts :)
As a Person who lost his dad at age 6 in year 2003... I played Final Fantasy X shortly after...
I cannot express how much this Story always meant to me.
I'm always crying seeing how this affected me up till this day.
thank you.
I love this game, honestly my only issue with it is the unskippable cutscenes. It can really drag on if you die on some bosses. The worst offender in my opinion is the yunalesca fight.
You’re right, as much as I love them, unskippable cut scenes can be a real drag when you HAVE to rewatch them before a boss fight you just can’t seem to win, especially when they’re several minutes long.
"Hope is comforting. It allows us to accept fate, however tragic it may be."
yeah especially on subsequent playthroughs when you've already seen them all dozens of times lol
I never mind the Yunalesca one though… that speech from Auron is just 🤌🏽
The Seymour fight on Mt Gagazet was my worst one. Hahaha
This is the single greatest FFX review on youtube period. Not only do I love this game, i love how detailed it is. I understand it mustve took months to edit this and i congradulate your hard work for this excellent video. Thanks, now i gotta play a fresh new game of ffx as its my 2nd favorite ff game of all time
Thank you SO much, GreyMatter! An amazing compliment, and I’m so happy you enjoyed the video and share my love for this beautiful game. Now I gotta ask - which IS your favourite FF game?!
@@AndysTake tactics. FF tactics is my number one favorite final fantasy game of all time. I know most will say FF7 but not for me.
@@FloAfree Oh, I never played tactics! Why is it so great? My second favourite is FFIX, then FFVII.
@@AndysTake hmmmmm....u know what, i never played 9 or 8. I definitely didnt like anything after FFX not even FFX2. I kinda hated that game actually
@@FloAfree I really liked FFX-2 at the time, but FFXII was just good but boring. I absolutely despise FFXV and think it’s the worst piece of **** ever.
I love when Seymour tells wakka to "speak how you normally would" LOL shit always cracks me up
I love when Seymour completely ignores Wakka in the fight in Macalania Temple. 😂
I've spent my day watching this while working. Absolutely fantastic work, I hate to think how much of an undertaking it was to create this video. Thanks for reaching out to our channel and pointing out this video, truly superb work!
Thank you so much my friend, I’m so glad you decided to watch the video and that you enjoyed it as well! :D all the best with your channel, I’ll look forward to more chill music!
@@AndysTake all the best mate, looking forward to checking out more of your stuff too!
Want more Final Fantasy content? Please subscribe to my new RPG focused channel! :) www.youtube.com/@AndysCritique
I can’t even describe in words how incredible this video is and how much it meant to me. I cried so many times. You perfectly encapsulated why this is my favorite game not just in the Final Fantasy series but just as a whole. It’s truly such a beautiful, incredible, fantastic game and it deserves so much love. Thank you for all the time you took making it and sharing it with us. It’s a masterpiece in video game analysis. ❤️
Thank you so much for saying that, my friend. Hearing comments like this makes me so happy not only because it makes me feel like my time and efforts were well spent, but also because it lets me know I’m not alone in loving this game. I’m so glad you enjoyed the video, and thanks again for leaving such a nice comment ❤️
I have the itch to replay FFX for its 21st anniversary but got no time. But this video made me relive FFX's beautiful story so thank you! I've watched the entire 4 hours of it. Appreciate not just the retelling but also the explanation of the nuances of the story.
Thank you, Ran, so glad you watched and enjoyed the video! It's an amazing story indeed.
Truly the greatest game I’ve ever played… honestly the vibes of this game are unmatched.. never played a game with such a perfect story, soundtrack, characters etc…. legendary.
Me too, Giio. Thank you so much for watching!
I've played this game at least 10 times and I've watched let's plays at least 20 times all the way through. The fact that I'm still learning stuff in this video is mind-blowing.
This is one of the all time best videos on the internet, and I have been here on the internet since the beginning.
Wow, thank you so much for that, that's an unbelievable compliment! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video, and that my hard work paid off!
Excellent work. Would love to see a X-2 analysis from you. Thanks for the video!
Thank you so much, my friend :) planning an X-2 video in the future!
Man, this game have the power of making me feel very sad and emotional.
I was 15 the first time i played it, i remember it was 23:30 PM and the next morning i had a test of biology but i didn't give a damn about that, FFX was more important. I end the game at 00:15 AM and i was really bad, i was connected to Yuna because like her i like helping people, both have a gigantic sense of duty and Tidus is a fine guy. After 3 days of feeling bad, i restart the game for 2 things
1: i wanted to do the journey again
2: i didn't grab the item of Cadalbog (or Ultima Weapon in Spanish, my Language) in Yunalesca's room and i didn't want to fight Dark Bahamut.
Im an 1 hour deep in this documentary, bro I love it. Beautifully made!
Thank you so much, bro ❤️
Well, an almost 4 hours and a half video and it felt like 10 minutes. Snyder's Justice League would be jelous.
I loved this video. Not only it conveiled everything I love about this game (my personal favourite FF and the one I truly believe to be the absolute best, i'll die on this hill), but it made me realize things I didn't realize or I forgot.
And despite this, I would have loved some mentionings of the things you didn't talked about, like the astral weapons or the Dark Aeons.
Truly an amazing job.
@@Lionblaze-Prime thank you so much! I intend to actually make a new version of this also covering the dark aeons! I’ll make an announcement when it’s made :)
First game I completed of 2022. Got it 12/31/21. It's tough finding another game to play now. Love this game to death
Congratulations! I would recommend FFIX if you haven’t played it already :)
Absolutely spectacular video. This is hands down the best retrospective of any final fantasy game I have ever seen. You took us, the viewers, through such an amazing journey. This game is truly one of the greatest stories ever told, and this video shows that off to an extraordinary level. Amazing work mate!
Thank you so much, Brad, that’s an amazing compliment! I’m so happy you enjoyed the video, to hear that my work paid off is the best feeling :)
My father had not yet passed away when this game came out. He died soon after.
This story has been seminal, pivotal, intrinsic to who and what I am ever since.
I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m happy that this game became so important to you. I hope you’re good, man.
I am... the pain of loss has gone, all that is left is the joy of who he was. Every child deserves a father like him.
One of the best 4 hours I've spent. Every minute counted! Thanks man :D
@@Max-qd2lf very kind of you, thank you so much for watching :)
I still think the best detail in the game is that after Sin appears outside the Zanarkand Dome and turns to leave, the screaming and wailing coming from it follows the cadence and tempo of the Hymn of the Fayth. Same thing is heard when you go inside Sin.
EDIT: After a year and another playthrough of FFX HD Remaster, I had to come back and point out that Tidus actually remembers the girls from the very start of the game when he was signing Blitzballs. They tell him they're sitting in "East Block, in the front row" and "Fifth from the right!" Then when Tidus is talking to Yuna at the first Rin wayhouse, he mentions that Blitz players can't let themselves be distracted by that "cute girl in the fifth seat from the right". God, there's just so much really incredible detail in this game.
2:38:26 knowing now that when they fell under the ice they actually landed on the back of Sin, this scene becomes just a little bit more better
It’s crazy to think about all the details in the game one will 100% miss on the first playthrough!
I loved this review, I recently beat the game and it's one of the best stories I've encountered in any media and I wondered why wasn't popular o well known for addressing the mature topics that most games would shy away from touching nowadays..all the reviews I saw prior playing the game were talking about as if it was just another average game..calling villains like seymour your tipical bad guy but he's far from that I mean this game is underrated imo but you did justice to it and I'm sure that I'll come back to this review just to remember how awesome it was
Thank you so much, Manuel. I’m so glad you enjoyed the video and agree with my thoughts on the game, it’s such a beautiful and unique game, even among Final Fantasies. I think a lot of people failed to really take in the gravity and maturity of the story, and therefore dismisses it. But you and I know what’s up, and that’s what matters. Thanks again for watching and leaving a comment, I really appreciate it!
It's a retelling of the new testament lol
I remember playing this as a kid. I was so immersed in the story and talked about it at school with friends a lot. I ended up adopting the name Zanarkand as my online name. I've played many mmo's/rpgs .I love when people recognize my name, they remember everything about the story and you just connect with people from that. It was always my intention to remind people of this amazing story, I love hearing people be happy from the memory.
I'm looking forward to a remake one day, it would be amazing to see the locations in this game truly explored in amazing detail just like FF7. Great video
Great video! I adore FFX, it was my favorite FF up until recently. It's always fun to replay.
Thank you so much! :) glad you love the game!
Thank you so much for this video! I was curious about the story of FFX, and this was a perfect way to learn about it (since I don't currently have the time to play the game). You definitely succeed in breaking the story and characters down in an understandable way that got me attached to them. I actually paused the video when you got to it and went to go watch the final cutscene for myself, and it was enough to bring me to tears.
Oh man, I’m really glad I managed to convey the game to you if you’ve never really played it either! And yeah, great choice of watching the ending separately! I really wanted to use the music from the end, but sadly the cut scene and ending music was copyrighted so I wasn’t able to. Either way I’m really happy that the video made sense to you, and that you’ve experienced the emotional roller coaster that is FFX! Thanks for watching, my friend!
Dude this is one of the best full reviews of this game on UA-cam. This is my first rpg i played when i was 10 in 2003 and the first game i got emotionally attached to the characters and world and music and story. And also the first game that made me cry . I hold it close to my heart . Thanks for this man. As i got older tidus is the most relatable character in the entire final fantasy series.