Final Fantasy X | A Complete History and Retrospective 

If you'd like to be part of a community who loves talking about Final Fantasy, we'd encourage you to join our Discord server! discord.gg/ffunion

Me: existing peacefully To Zanarkand: im about to destroy this man

Final fantasy 7, 8 and 10 got me through my teenage years and taught me so much about life, passion, story-telling, imagination, love, heart ache, defeat and triumph. They are all pure modern-day works of art.

FFX is just pure perfection, and it will always be my favorite. The characters, the story, the voice acting, the visuals, and the Aeons... everything was just the perfect recipe.

It’s amazing to think that’s it has been 20 years since this game came out; multiple rereleases, 15 million copies, wonderful cast of characters, a protagonist that is still one of the best written characters in all of gaming, this game was my introduction to this iconic series and still lives in my heart in my Mount Rushmore Of Video games along with Super Mario Galaxy 2, Street Fighter 4, and Persona 5 Royal. Such a legendary video game

X was the first FF game I bought as an adult, with my own money and played to death. My wife was in the same boat, and we actually had To Zanarkand as the music we walked down the aisle to on our wedding day! The characters are so vibrant, the world is alive, and there are so many good story developments. My favourite is Wakka having to question his faith and work with the Al-Bhed to protect Yuna, ultimately turning his back on the only life he knew. Also, the Auron/Yunalesca scene gives me goosebumps to this day

20 years, goosebumps every time. The nostalgia is eye watering

I still remember 14 year old me first discovering Final Fantasy X through music videos. Yes, I was a hopeless romantic at that time, so the story really captured me. Little did I know I would get swept away by the franchise starting with FFX ❤

This and Kingdom Hearts were really a one-two punch for Square in the early 00s, weren't they?

I got this game for Christmas with my PS2 back in 2001, so much nostalgia. I still remember how badly I wanted to play it while I was sitting with my family eating dinner waiting for my chance to play it

My favorite cast of characters in ALL of Final Fantasy honestly. I love this game a lot and the OST is the best in the series too.

Final Fantasy X was my first ff, I was excited with this title particularly, because I no longer needed my brother next to me to translate for me. English not being my first language, I'd had powered through ever since having played LoZ: OoC and MM as a kid and being frustrated over not understanding what was going on/what to do. Playstation titles were always very English-heavy for me, which is why I had opted for nintendo as a kid and thus ffx being my first title. I thoroughly enjoyed it and still remember how it made me feel. I remember I beat the game at 4 AM on a Wednesday, a school night. That last boss/section took so long and I just couldn't put it down before I finished it, I even woke up my brother to tell him and we watched the final scene together, then I cried during the credits hahaha, I love this game, will forever be in my memory.

I heard the intro and immediately felt like I was home 🥰

I’m currently writing a book about Final Fantasy X and I mentioned this channel and the team in my forward and probably throughout the book. Thank you so much for helping to inspire me to take on this project! If there’s a way I can give you more credit in my book let me know. For the most part it’s really just about my thoughts! Thanks again!!!

I still remember playing this game when I was younger, so many fond memories. The best memory is when I woke up one day during the week and playing the last bit of the game I had maybe 1 hour before school started but I got so into it that by the time I realized it I was already later then I had intended... in my mind I was im not leaving now gotta beat it here and now I played for another 30 minutes and beat the game enjoyed the ending scenes and credits. Then hopped on my bike and pedaled so fast to get to my high school. I was over an hour late but luckily the students were moving to another class and I got one of them to open up the gate. Over th years I had played it on and off again on my ps2. Then once again when they remastered it bought it for my ps3. This game was a part of me growing up and I love it to this day, my favorite of all the final fantasy I've played.

Final Fantasy X is my favorite game of all time and my favorite Final Fantasy game. It's also the game that introduced me to rpg's as it was from what I remember the first rpg I ever played. It was the game that got me into the Final Fantasy series and I have so many fond and happy memories of it. It's just such a great and beautiful game. Completed it over 5 times, felt happy when playing it, helped me grew as a person and I don't think there will be a game that will ever surpass it.

"Listen To My Story. This May Be Our Last Chance." - Tidus

Ff12s 20 year anniversary is gonna be rough for me, have very vivid memories of not only playing it but my life when it came out. It was the first time I lived on my own. Have so many bitter sweet memories around that time and I associate it with ff12.

Final Fantasy X is my favourite game of all time and, like you two, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve played it. I can still remember how exciting it was experiencing the story on the ps2, and the hd remaster actually got me to buy a ps3 and got me back into gaming in general. Happy 20th birthday Final Fantasy X, and thank you FFUnion for a great video!

FFX was my first plot heavy game and I still replay it almost every year.

Thank you for doing this video. Everytime I hear To Zanarkand, I just want to cry. I can't believe it's been 20 years. I still didn't finish this game, but I always felt it was special to me. From characters, to music to story.

I can't believe I first laid my eyes on Spira 20 years ago. Time to go back there for the 100th time I think

This is indeed a special game, with the passage of time I've grown to love even more the characters, the themes, the lore, it might not be perfect, but it's my personal favorite

I’ve always wanted a braska jecht auron play through. I know they go through their story. But still.

Final Fantasy X arrived around that time in my youth when I was old enough to follow along and anticipate it's arrival with great fervor. The PS2 had also arrived around that time, and I was fortunate enough to actually have one to experience FFX on day one. Originally, even after having played through Origins, and IV through IX all on PS1, FFX didn't resonate with me like I had hoped. I regret to admit that I put the controller down just shortly before finishing Mt. Gagazet. I did play and enjoy X-2 but, it didn't wow me. Years later, I would return to Spira with X HD on PS4. This time my heart sang out with approval and the game finally hit on all levels.

Thank you both for your work in this. There is no single game that has been as impactful on me personally. The music. The characters. The locations. The ADVENTURE. I will never forget the chills it first gave me when the team went up against Seymour at Macalania and again at Mt Gagazet. Or the melancholic anticipation on the short road through the Zanarkand Ruins before you face Yunalesca. Or the final embrace between Yuna and Tidus before they say goodbye. This game will always deserve celebration.

Has it been 20 years already? I remember getting this game as, if it was yesterday. Yuna and Tidus story accompanied me on those long hours on the weekend staying at home and playing this game, truly a masterpiece :)

My first ff, Will always hold a place in my heart ❤️

FFX was the first PS2 game I had played with my cousin, back when my grandma was alive and I was but a boy in school... I remember getting all the way to Shiva's temple before getting a game over, with no memory card. Id watched my cousin play for 5 hours. Sadly it's one of the last games I played with my cousin. My little brother and I got to play it again after I finally got a ps2 damn near the middle to end of PS3's life, and I think it's the only FF game that I've beaten more than twice. While it's not my favorite, that title goes to FF8, I still have countless memories of this game. Hearing "To Zanarkand" always makes me feel... A lot of things... And for all the love I have for FF 10 and the series in general, I don't think it needs a third game.

Final Fantasy X was my first proper Final Fantasy, after my cousin introduced my to the series and I was a bit mid on 7 as a kid. It was massively impactful on how I grew to see stories and media growing up, and honestly is what made me such a huge JRPG fan today and lifelong Final Fantasy fangirl. I remember sitting in front of my old tv playing this game and trying to solve puzzles for hours at a time. The music still makes it onto my playlists today and To Zanarkand actually inspired me to want to learn to play piano just so I could play it. This is a very long winded way of saying X and honestly X-2 were a huge formative part of my life.

"Sony fights Cube with Square" is a brilliant title for an article. I'm sure that journalist is still proud of that.

Final Fantasy X came to me when I was fighting with depression and it really helped and kept me going.

20 years later Everyone: you're as beautiful as the day I lost you.

Listen to my story... I remember sneaking out of school during lunch time to go to my local video game store and buy FFX with my bday/xmas savings. For the rest of the school day, all I could do was read the game's manual front to back, multiple times and stare at the artwork. I spent the next few weeks, simply mesmerised by the game, the voice acting, the characters, the story... it was like nothing l have ever experienced before. My brother once walked into my room and teasingly asked if I am playing a game or watching a movie... I just replied, "both", without even turning my head away from the TV. This game has so many awesome moments, I tear up just thinking about them. Needless to say, this is my favourite FF game. My original save had over 200 hours of play time, which might not sound like a lot for some of you, but it's something I had never done before. Thanks for all the memories...

Ffx will always be the game i return to for the rest of my life. And the ending always make me cry. Just the sound of "To Zanarkand" brings everything back.

7 is my favorite FF game hands down. I played 8, it was okay. I played 9, loved it. But 10...that was something special. And the thing about is, some days I say I like 7 better, others I say 10. This game truly was one of the most emotion wrenching games I had ever played up until that point. I loved the game, still do, and always will!

FFX was my first FF and made me fall in love with the series. PS: now I have to start a new playthrough…. Thanks for that… xD

This is actually my first FF game.. Cause I never have ps1 and the only console I've ever had is ps2.. I really enjoyed this as my first FF game.. It somehow helps me grow as a person? Glad that there's actually a lot of people liking this game too..

Considering this was the first game I’ve ever played after first moving to Canada, it holds a special place in my heart and it’s what got me invested in the storytelling aspect of games. It was so good in using elements (character development, music, gameplay, etc) to add to the already emotional story of FFX.

This is my 2nd favourite game of all time. The feelings I have for the characters and music are nothing short of wonderful nostalgia. That being said, still waiting for History of Square Part II!!!

"Tide-us". Like the tide. Water. You're wrong, Square. Fight me.

My fave game of all time - solid vid

I believe this was the first game I've played I had to cry (the ending, obviously). That is an achievement for almost 30 year old at the time. It then has not happend again until Wither 3 (Gerald finding Ciri in the shed). But at that point I was old, and crying comes a lot easier to me now :)

This game is so special to me. It's the only game I've ever played where I played 5 hours straight the night I got it. It was an absolutely incredible experience, and I had to force myself to stop, even though I wanted to keep playing!

I love FFX, it is my first and favorite (didn’t care much for X-2). My interest in Final Fantasy games began back during FFVII days. Back then we only had one game console and it was in the main room. I enjoyed watching my daughter play almost like watching a movie. Didn’t start playing any FF games for myself until FFX came out on the Switch. I asked my daughter if it would be a good one for an entry into FF. She said definitely so I bought it and fell in love with the story, music and battle style. Yes, I love the battle style because I prefer turn-based fighting. It gives me time to think and I like the strategy of selecting moves. I love how they allowed you to switch players in battle in which other turn based games that I have played never allowed. It also made it easier to adapt to the fighting styles in the later games. FFX will always be my favorite Final Fantasy game.

I have no idea why before, I resisted playing this game. Once I did, man, I told myself I was missing a lot.. I truly enjoyed the game from the moment I started it.. Since then, I never stopped playing it and I want to play this game over and over again.. I can say that this is one of the best, if not, the best Final Fantasy game I have ever played.. I am so impressed with the gameplay mechanics, as well as the story.. I have a lot of things to say about this.. But we all know why.. Thanks for having us this wonderful game!

I'm so glad that FFX was my first Final Fantasy game I played

Beautiful video. Made me appreciate the game even more than I already do. You brought great insight and emotion to it. I observed FF go from NES to SNES, then played through it's transition into 3D. When I played X, I felt very quickly that the quality of storytelling had advanced more than any prior technological jump. The characters, world and plot felt rich and alive in a way no prior one did, and all crafted around a story being communicated to and from the heart. I felt connected to it, where in every other FF prior I felt interested.

Last real wow factor.... now graphics and voice acting common and each gen are so similar to the last, ffX was a huge impact at the time.

I need to play though this game again with the expert sphere grid. Great game.

I fully truly wholeheartedly and genuinely appreciate the quality of your content. I did not even watch this video yet but was so happy to open RU-vid and see it recommended because I know I don't have to sift through 23498 garbage videos til I find a good one. I can just sit here, watch 30 incredible minutes of well researched and eloquently reviewed about one of my favorite games. Thank you for all the work you do - can barely believe it's free!

Excellent content FFU! You always appreciate the games so much more when you find out about what went into making them. Great tribute to the game!

Thank you for this video! It brought back so many memories. FF8 got me hooked. And I remember before it released constantly looking at updates. I remember having the game purchased for me for Christmas excited at the prospect of playing! Even though it was 7 months before I had even got a PS2. It was…wow…it was mind blowing. But of course I was much younger… with the way the franchise has/had been going over the last decade and a half I lost touch with it’s magic and with stuff like The Last of Us and GoW (PS4) it has not always been easy to look back on some of the titles from FF. But, I still love FF8-10. 7 was fun and good, but it lacked the emotional intimacy amongst the characters that really gripped me on titles like FFVIII or FFX. So, thank you

Final Fantasy X is both my favourite PlayStation 2 game and favourite Final Fantasy game. Yes, I’ve heard the rumours of a potential Final Fantasy X-3 after the completion of the entire Final Fantasy VII Remake. You know, I’m 100% open to it. If it happens; AWESOME! If it doesn’t, I’m fine with that.

your effort is immense .. thx for such high quality videos

My favourite Final Fantasy game, one of my all-time favourite games and RPGs. That first part in Zanarkand just blew me away after playing FF 7-9 before. I love the story, characters, world-building, progression system, battle system, all of it!

Man FFX means so much for me and my brother!! We spent hundreds of hours on this game over the last 20 years and enjoyed every damn minute of it! ❤️👊

Used to always sit next to my brother watching him play this, being very very good at it! I remember watching this story unravel in awe, even introducing the characters to my friends and looking up images of them on Google (as a 8 year old did at that time). I am almost 28 years old now and I no longer am in contact with my brother. We are estranged due to circumstances happening in our life. I miss those days, they were good memories of our childhood together. I can still see us sitting in front of the tv together..

It was truly a beautiful game

Missed you guys

Greatest game ever made.

Thank you so much for this video. This game brought so much feeling to the table, where many games of the time did not imo. It was my 5th FF game. Like many teenagers at the time of its release, we grew up with videogames as a part of our lives. The story/music/voice acting overall gave us the ability to more easily dive-in and feel a part of the game rather then just decision makers. That is why it is still my 2nd most played and enjoyed FF game. I play it every couple of years to capture that feeling again even if just for a little while, and for the 20th anniversary I will almost positively visit the Spira troop again.

The first FF i genuinely love despite not winning the Chocobo race once.

FFX was the first FF game I played. It was also the game I got with my PS2 at Christmas. I cannot tell you how much I felt for this game. I still think about it from time to time. My first run took over 80 hours because I couldn't help but explore every corner of the map. I'll never forget it and maybe I'll replay it someday.

I still have my original PlayStation 2 copy of Final Fantasy X and it’s signed by James Arnold Taylor (Tidus), John DiMaggio (Wakka & Kimahri) and Tara Strong (Rikku)

I just discovered this channel last week and decided to do a playthrough of X again. I decided to look up the lyrics to the hymn of the fayth, and after learning that it was originally a song in defiance of Yevon, I finally understood why the Al Bhed sing it on the airship, and why Brother is crying while he sings it. Thank you for all these amazing videos and for rekindling my love for Final Fantasy!!

Final Fantasy X was my first and favorite game in the franchise. I first played it on PS2 along with my sister. In some way, it helped me grow as a person and will never grow tired of playing this game. I like the story aspect as it somehow resonated with them during my childhood. My parents went abroad and never felt their physical presence ever since I was 10 tho I still talk and bond with them virtually. I am now 24 and time flies so fast. Happy 20th Anniversary, FFX! As always, that was a great video you guys! Keep it up! Looking forward to more videos FF related! ^_^

As always, great video! FFX is my favorite Final Fantasy!

I postponed playing this game for 20 years, I finished it weeks ago and man, it melt my heart, thank you for the great video.

I’m planning to get a Switch and I will be getting 3 games, 1 from each franchise (Mario,LoZ &FF) each game chosen is my favorite in their respective series and FFX is my favorite among Final Fantasies. Thank you for this video

i really cannot overstate how well written the script of this video is. it was a wonderful experience that really matches my own love for the game for the past 20 years, thank you very much

X is the first Final Fantasy game I played. I still adore this game ♥️

FF10 will forever be one of the best games of all time ❤

This game is my favorite of the series. The story is so amazing. The end of FFX when she says “thank you” to the endings that exist in FFX-2. I mean just *chefs kiss*

I was there witnessing FFX change the gaming industry yet again with its PS2 launch but don’t recall the 17 concept ideas at all. Thank you for such an amazing documentary of a FF game that’s special to so many of us.

The most impactful Final Fantasy in my life, I missed out on 7 but 10, so many memories, had to rent it from blockbuster twice to beat it

LES GOOO. I just finished my second playthrough, where I 100% the game, and I'm still on that high of loving the game. So this was perfectly timed.

Final Fantasy X my first RPG and my 1 of 4 first PS2 game. It was an experience...a journey...I will forever love this game

My favorite FF game

I love FFX, it's my favorite in the series.

Back when I was a kid (like 2005), I inherit an old PC from my cousin, inside there was a folder of FFX wallpaper, I didn't know anything about gaming at the time and thought it was the most beautiful pictures I've ever seen. Many years later when the game finally come to PC in 2016, I got to play it for the first time, and it instantly became one of my favorite game of all time.

I remember watching the intro sequence over and over again because i was so blown away by its graphics and when i finally had my hands on it, it was the best game i´ve ever played. Great graphics, characters, story, soundtrack the huge sphere grid, perfect pacing and so much to do. 10/10, best RPG of all time!

This game will always hold a special place in my life. I used the money I got from graduating high school to buy a PS2 and Final Fantasy X. I have put thousands of hours into this game, whether it be speed running or no sphere grid challenges, FFX is my favorite game in the series.

This was a great video thanks guys!

Final Fantasy X came at time when I was lost in every aspect of life. This game helped me cope with things and as I saw light once again, I actually finished the game. I’m my opinion, nothing else compared to it.

I wish I was around back in the day. These are some of my favorite games and it must have been really special to play them on release.

Even though it's unfortunate that there were issues behind the scenes, it still turned out amazing, FF10 is one of my favorites. Thanks for making this video!

such nostalgia. Thank you for all your hard work FFU.

Great work, amazing video. Thank you!

FFX & FF 8 are my favorites. For the gameplay, the store and MY GOD THE MUSIC. I get this surge of emotion everything I hear those first few notes of "to Zanarkand" in the beginning.

This was my first proper final fantasy. Its bad but I can’t remember the order I played the games in anymore, but I know 8 was one of my firsts and I did time compression too soon etc. couldn’t finish. This game though was the first where I’d watch as the credits rolled and ponder what I had just experienced. I played it at a tender age too, 13, when feelings were expanding into more than just happy/sad. It was so touching. I truly love this game, the sphere grid is the coolest growth system ever, both from the aesthetic and the utility. Pure love for this game from me, thanks guys, great video.

Final Fantasy X made my childhood extremely amazing, and because of this video, i started playing it again on my ps vita. I hope that one day i can get a limited edition final fantasy x merchandise from you.

One of the best story written in a video game

My first and favorite final fantasy game. What lured me in was the graphics but I was so surprised to be completely and utterly swept away by the story and its characters. I laughed and cried while playing this game until deep in the night during my summer holidays from school (I believe I was only 11 when I started to play). I truly felt like I was a part of Yuna's family. I hope I will be able to visit Okinawa one day and I will for sure pretend to be in Besaid! I hope Square does something special for the 20th anniversary of this masterpiece. Thank you for your time and effort that you put into these videos, as a viewer I can feel your adoration for this game and I hope you will continue to have fun making these kinds of videos.

Ah perfect! I just watched your videos on Yuna and Tidus origin.. and now you release this!

Great video! I love both X and X-2. Thanks!

I had played bits and pieces of 7 and 9 through family members when I was a kid, but 10 was the first one I played all the way through by myself and it will always hold a very special place in my heart. I love that world and those characters and I still get a bit wistful whenever I hear the soundtrack.

FFX makes me realize that I can actually cry when playing a game, both through beautiful story, and punishing hardcore minigame...

Such a great video. I never forget the first time I saw this game on the ps2. I’ll never forget it. It was magical.

Great vid, keep it up!