Final Fantasy X Retrospective - A Fan Favorite (With a Bad Port)

[@stephenramsey5585]

The ability to name Tidus isn't just a holdover from previous games. It's foreshadowing. You can only name aeons.

[@nicholassmith5611]

That’s a great observation.

[@alicemills5230]

😮😮😮😮😮

[@rd6416]

Exactly

[@Nestnestsoto]

mind = blown

[@TheMetroidblade]

Holy shit. That’s amazing. That fact alone makes me want to replay

[@C_Train74]

Winning that first blitzball match is a badge of honor for me.

[@JimmyPageTV]

Same! 👋🏽

[@cadefranklin2838]

Same, I have to do it every playthrough…

[@BlackWolf207]

I have never been able to beat those damn Luca goers the first time, I’m always in the lead and they beat me with like a minute left. EVERY DAMN TIME.

[@jokinplaysgames]

I never did enjoy blitzball lol I usually. Hated those parts and skipped most of that in my. Playthrough

[@Zjonishealing]

Who would let the goers win

[@c0mplex_Ale]

being able to change Tidus' name might have been some 5head foreshadowing since you get to name the summons and Tidus is basically just that

[@Maser50007]

OH! OOOOOOOH!

[@bzipoli]

tbh: i dont't think they thought of that bc of occam's razor, but it's a good theory

[@tienpham403]

True, he is a stand in for the player, but they could make it so that you can't change summon's name. I think they might have made it intentionally

[@Dr_Donald_Duck]

You are right. Also the OST that plays during the loading file screen is the same one that plays during the cutscene where Yuna summons Valefor...the track is called "The Summoning" and is only used in those 2 instances. (The meta implication being that you, the player, the summoner, are "summoning" Tidus when loading a file. Just as Yuna summons Valefor.)

[@BleedForTheWorld]

@@Dr_Donald_Duck I know he's suffered some health issues in the past but nobody besides Mitsuda has been on par as Uematsu. He is the sound of Final Fantasy.

[@unknwnone876]

The love story between Tidas and Yuna is what kept me captivated throughout the journey. Was Yuna going to accept Tidas or reject him? Full well knowing her life will end at the end of the pilgrimage. Then we have the summonings, limit breaks, ultimate weapons. FFX will always be hold a cherished memory, such a work of beauty for its time.

[@tigerex777]

Tidas....

[@thesultrystrangerdanger6824]

I thought the Yuna tiddies romance was sooooooooo poorly translated.... Or localized.... Completely ruined the game for me

[@MTGHedgefund]

​@@thesultrystrangerdanger6824tell me you have poor taste without telling me.

[@thesultrystrangerdanger6824]

@@MTGHedgefund I think the more I look at final fantasy 10 I think it was too many chefs in the kitchen type situation I know the translations of the writing something about it is just wrong like the localization was translated by a space alien

[@MTGHedgefund]

@@thesultrystrangerdanger6824 I suppose that's a fair position especially if you're familiar with the Japanese source material. But as someone who isn't familiar, I found the writing just fine. Quirky and odd at times, but to me it gave it charm.

[@gavtro2]

The reason Anima looks the way it does is because it represents how the Fayth, Seymour's mother, feels and see's herself. She's a monster that gave birth to a monster, her love is powerful but it hurt her, she feels trapped and restrained and full of anger so she literally has to be ripped out of her prison. She cries blood because she knows that in her attempt to help her son she caused more harm and pain onto the world. The Fayth are representations of the humans they once were, some looks majestic, others powerful or beastly, or a bandaged up dying demon wishing for its own death but so guilt ridden that it can't die until its child has been stopped.

[@idiramara1]

Good point, I just realized and this is probably a stretch but in analytical psychology "anima" refers to the unconscious female aspect of a male individual, an the Mother is one of these important female figure

[@soulteripeasant7317]

Anima has always been my fav summon.

[@bamstarr696]

Bahamut is just a kid. You can hear it in his version of hymn of the fayth

[@justinarzola4584]

I felt bad for anima.

[@tjongdavid1921]

​@@bamstarr696Maybe that's why he's one of the strongest? Because a kid's hopes is still strong and innocent, and laso non elemental because a kid is still pure thus isn't influenced by any attributes? Lol. Might be a stfetch

[@zacheray]

I played FFX for the first time a year ago. I love it like a person. I don’t know if I can say that about any other game. It’s hard to describe.

[@Zjonishealing]

One of us one of us

[@nyquilfilthy7557]

Just finished it for the first time recently and now it’s easily one of my absolute favourite FFs

[@justinlohnes7448]

One of us one of us!

[@One.Zero.One101]

I'm very bad at reflex-based games, that's why I always look for any turn based games to buy. I played FFX for the first time this year and it still holds up. The combat, the spells, the party switching, it has all the elements that I'm looking for. It's really mind-boggling when modern turn based games get it wrong, because you already have the blueprint in games like FFX and Dragon's Age Origins. Somehow developers keep dropping mechanics that fans already love.

[@riplix20]

@@One.Zero.One101I know how you feel, it’s why I like the octopath games, they literally just took ffx’s combat and added some extra.

[@leandrabarros3582]

X is my favorite game of all time. Am forever grateful for what it did to that little girl back in 2007, to the moments of joy she had with her gramma after a hellish day in school. For what it did to me as an adult now and how it holds gramma more closer to me after her passing. I hope more people get to be impacted by it like it did to me too.

[@jakeryan2805]

You played it with your grandma?! Thats badass.

[@leandrabarros3582]

@@jakeryan2805 YES! And she was great! Finished The Prince of Persia Trilogy, Black, Tomb Raider LAU Trilogy and Shadow of The Colossus all by herself! Rpg's were though for her because pf the language barrier so we played them together tho. She was the coolest

[@Yanninho78]

May you grandma rest in peace in the Afterlife ! This game is also my favorite of all time, it brings so many memories.

[@leandrabarros3582]

@@Yanninho78 Thank you so much! I hope I can properly thank the devs someday too

[@DonutSwordsman]

I have a similar feeling towards my older cousin who took care of me for a time. Thanks for sharing. Once i woke up from a dream that had the battle music and he was playing it irl it was so funny.

[@azimel2680]

Honestly when I played the demo for FFX when it first dropped my friends and I literally said "Wow we are living in the future" The jump from PS1 era Final Fantasy to that?! It was palpable how far we had come even to our 10 and 11 year old brains.

[@purwantiallan5089]

Demo port of FFX also great.

[@987ujhpl]

The strength of 10 is its story and character development. The background of absentee parents would resonate with many people. The influence parents have over their children even after their demise. A strong female lead that is believable and endearing. A love at first sight romance novel.

[@leob4403]

FF12 is a far better game

[@mattbrown9631]

To be fair, you don't get Lulu's ultimate weapon from dodging lightning, you get the Venus Crest to fully unlock the ultimate weapon's potential. And it's 200 lightning strikes

[@JeffRB]

My older brother and his friend were so impressed when I did it one night when they were spending the night. It was a really nice memory were all huddled im focused and boom fucking stoked I finally did it. Because it was a good three weeks of me trying over and over again to get it. They gave up and used game sharks but I effing did it. Miss being a kid.

[@robertbeisert3315]

Not me standing over here with a macro because I spent the better part of a summer trying as a kid.

[@xheralt]

It's not worth using in it's original locked No AP state.

[@Kligor2]

WHile not covered here, spoilers for X-2 I guess folks But I think one of my favorite character moments is Wakka and Rikku where he says "Thank you" in Al Bhed. It actually hits super hard cause it shows hes actively fighting his old bigotry and even learning their language to show that and communicate with them easier. Its a small, optional cutscene you can get but it really just solidifies Wakka as a character.

[@CastiellaXIV]

I love that so much

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@CastiellaXIVwhich are your favourite Final Fantasy games? For me: X, 7, 7 Rebirth and 7 Remake.

[@BenkaiDebussy]

Also happy to see a defense of the Tidus laughing. It's a good scene, in both dubs!

[@Skyverb]

As a teen playing this for the first time I hated it. Replayed it as an adult; and saw the meaning of the scenes and how the laughing was intentional. Love it now and defend it too, lol.

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@Skyverbof course. I replayed that 25 times too.😅

[@pitonto16]

32:14 Actually, you can set the blitzball games into manual mode, and use the mini map to know your location while moving (trust me is the best way). You can also set formations on your team to make your plays more defensive or offensive. You can even learn skills for your players. Once you get the hang of it, it gets addicting. Also, you need to win tournaments to obtain Wakka’s most powerful overdrive.

[@FrozenAXL]

Once you understand its mechanics, Blitzball is really easy: you look at the map to navigate, and bait the rival team's players with your defender, leaving your striker basically free to score. The luca Goers first match is tricky one, but the key to this is Jassu, our left back: he has high END and can go through his opposite striker, Abus, really easily and use the above strategy. The weak point is our right back Botta, he has pathetic END and every time he takes the ball he can't keep it and loses it instantly, leaving Bickson alone with poor keepa.

[@TheAssirra]

@@FrozenAXL Keepa is just comically bad and the main reason you will lose the Luca match the second they got the ball. A shot can go from the enemy side of the room and he still fails to catch it half the time.

[@gellister]

It just occurred to me that other people don't play this way... My stupid gamer instincts kicking in made me blind to the fact others get disoriented playing blitzball, this explains why I really love blitzball and most other people hate it. It's weird what your brain naturally glosses over because... Well... It's YOUR brain.

[@gkem2545]

i liked blitz ball i would love it asa dlc too

[@ChicCanyon]

Love love love blitzball.

[@cryptomushroomcommunity5702]

Final Fantasy X will always have a special place in my heart. I don't think i will ever experience this kind of emotional rollercoaster in a video game. Absolute favourite game ever

[@purwantiallan5089]

Lightning Returns Final Fantasy 13 enters the chat.

[@MikeRavia-xp5ig]

I remember back when it came out. I kept going "when am I going to take control of the party and explore the world map." 60 hours later I didn't care anymore.

[@purwantiallan5089]

Tidus and Yuna are still iconic characters in the entire Final Fantasy franchise.

[@TheAurgelmir]

Thing with "Tidus" is that... well... Many of the main characters have had weather phenomenon names: Clous, Squall, Lightning and Tide-us. So yeah, I'm one who refuses to call him Teedus.

[@DemonAmongTheAngels]

You don't have to attack with each member, you can just guard, which sometimes lets them go twice in a row meaning you can swap them out immediately after. MUCH faster and safer.

[@rakino4418]

There's a mod that just makes every party member get XP which I think is just as balanced - use who you want, everyone advances

[@coaster1235]

wait, so guarding counts for participation to get xp?

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

@@coaster1235 Well, they ARE guardians.

[@CryoJnik]

​@@imveryangryitsnotbutter Boo! Get off the stage!

[@onixtalks]

Came to say this.

[@nef36]

Brando: FFX's main menu felt like it was from the future back in 2000 Brando in the future: "the HD version of the exact same menu doesnt feel like its from the future anymore"

[@crazyMLC]

I like your point about how X has similar map design to XIII. People love to complain about XIII's corridors, but they're complaining about the symptom, not the cause. People didn't like going through XIII's corridors because there were no towns to break them up. If walking through corridors is all you ever do, of course that's what you're gonna complain about.

[@Gamingnstuff131]

I felt that way for most of 10. It's not really that different than 13. Sure, 10 has shops and a couple towns but shops are really only useful for items as weapons and armor are useless until you make your own and there are only 4 towns in the whole game, most being tiny. There are more mini games in 10 but let's face it. Most of, if not all of them, suck. They're RNG based and tedious. The best part of 10's post game was the monster arena in the calm lands but finding them is a real pain. Most of 10 felt like a hallway simulator to me like 13 did, just running from cutscene to cutscene with a boss at the end of each area.

[@YTAG33]

The problem is not with the physical map being like a corridor. It is actually a plot problem. In FFX the group has plot reasons to travel together all in the same direction down the same road. They have a goal and destination and talk about traveling together. There is no plot reason for the player to wander off in some other direction. Anyone complaining about it being a corridor is just trying to break the game and not follow the plot. In FFXIII, there is physically only one way to ever go with no real plot reason why that is the case or where they are trying to get to. It often unclear where the party is trying to go next or why yet there is physically only one way to go in the game. Of course you feel stuck on that corridor.

[@bardockshiny]

@@Gamingnstuff131 that's 100% how I feel too

[@calloftheryan3263]

Been saying this for years. Spira is essentially a corridor but the varied camera angles help to mask it. In 13 it’s always behind the character so visually it always looks the same.

[@bardockshiny]

@@calloftheryan3263 to me they didn't help mask shit, ff10 is my second ff after playing ff7remake and the original and hell, I forced myself thru 20 hours of game to then drop it to play ff9, nothing really got me, neither the art style, the summon mechanice, the fucking ball game, the switch party during battle mechanic, for me the original ff7 was better in almost every gameplay aspect

[@Demicore]

Only discovered your channel recently through YT's recommendations and what amazing work you do! Long form content that manages to remain fast paced throughout, wonderful work. It's a pleasure going through your backlog of videos.

[@akiinmoonlight79]

FF10 is and will forever be a masterpiece ❤

[@CombatClient]

So true! Gameplay wise it’s the best imo.

[@Force-Multiplier]

my favorite game of all times and the only literal 10 in this entire franchise you can like others better and they can be a 10 to you but that's just an opinion X being a 10 is both my opinion and a fact!

[@snuggie1849]

​@@Force-Multiplier 10 is maybe one of 20 games that ive played that i would give it a 10/10. Ive played well over a thousand so anyone who says 10 is their fav gets a lot of respect from me!

[@ShayCormac0]

Good for you. I just can't get myself to like it. Too moody and slow. But it's a good entry to the FF series it seems.

[@KryMoore]

It’s just as linear as 13 but people don’t complain about that for some reason.

[@MalevolentMinun]

Hitting Triangle to defend is not only stupidly quick, but absolutely counts as a turn for the characters you're only using to gain exp with instead of using an attack. Also helps if they get targeted between turns.

[@shadow_blaze2317]

Changing gear like swapping a weapon is also very fast. I honestly forgot that you could defend and thought it was Aeon exclusive via their Guard command.

[@GreyFoxVinzin]

Speaking about the Sphere Grid, I accidentally sent Wakka on my 2nd playthru down Auron's path midway thru, and let me tell you, with Attack Reels, he was one shotting bosses left and right with all that added Strength with his natural high accuracy

[@ElTequilla]

How could it be accidental tho? You need to use a key sphere. But yeah Wakka is sort of the main min/max char for the standard grid - which I find hilarious because his combat style is throwing fucking BALLS .

[@5chneemensch138]

Do that with Yuna and Ifrit has dmg cap when you get him. Bahamut literally oneshots literally all bosses from there on.

[@ElTequilla]

@@5chneemensch138 another pro tip indeed. Yuna scaling into Aeon stats is sort of nuts. Which is probably why Banish is a thing

[@vigo2669]

@@ElTequilla He probably was playing with the expert sphere grid where Wakka can easily enter Auron's path without key spheres.

[@anthonydelfino6171]

Expert grid? Because Auron's path isn't accessible early game otherwise, there's no lead in to it from the central hub.

[@YoshiTheOreo]

Brando: "Blitzball sucks." Me: *S K I L L I S S U E*

[@frankmarinero6431]

Finished this game for the first time a few days ago and it really stuck with me. What an incredible journey

[@Bevtone]

I felt it, never played it as a kid and played a few years back finally,.....epic they just dont make games like that anymore well squire enix doesn't

[@jusuke1980]

i love how these games are still talked about in length to this day.

[@prestonexzabe2997]

I don't know why, but I've been going on a FFX kick for the past few days, so many videos about it lol and I can't get enough

[@wheatwhisky9670]

05:23 What's funny about "Riku" from KH and "Rikku" from FFX is that they both have appeared in the same game in Kingdom Hearts II; lots of jokes at the time were made of how Sora was constantly looking for "Riku" when "Rikku" appears way earlier in the game. Confusion between the two is avoided in KHII, where Rikku along with the rest of the Gullwings of Yuna and Paine appears, but are never introduced by their name, being instead referred to as a collective group of "treasure-seekers".

[@vigo2669]

That's the same reason Rikku wasn't in the original KH. They were gonna have Rikku in it, but swapped her out for Yuffie so no one got them confused.

[@justskip4595]

Finnish has the single double consonant differences all over the place. Best example for English speakers I can think of what level of difference they have are Bob and Boob.

[@Kasaaz]

The enemies/monsters in FFX are some of the most cooperative I've ever seen. Look at those diverse types just living and working together in harmony. A little strange.

[@azuredeath]

I always thought the reason for Yuna saying "Thank You" at the ending was because, during her sphere recording, she was interrupted by Tidus before she could thank him like the rest of the party. The whole point of the sphere recording was so she could share her last words with her guardians. It was thrown away because it wasn't necessary anymore because the group intended to beat Sin without sacrificing anyone.

[@Jim-pq9pm]

I literally just played Blitzball a week ago, and I beat the Goers on my first try. Yes it's introduced poorly, but no, it does not suck. I actually turned the game on , made a file, played to Luca, just so I could play Blitzball. Don't listen to this man, it's the best mini game and the greatest sport ever conceived

[@owangejewice]

The Luca Goers are a cakewalk if you get the Jecht Shot on the boat to Luca. Drop a Jecht shot with Tidus in the first half then another Jecht shot before Wakka gets subbed in. Then as Wakka grab the ball and "hide" in the Aurochs goal behind Keepa until the time winds down. I've never gotten any outcome but a 1-0 or 2-0 win for the Aurochs with this strategy.

[@j-rey-]

I was looking for this exact comment. This guy doesn't seem too good at the game in general. Although, you can't use Jecht Shot until the second half bc Tidus needs to level up from 2 to 3 over the first half in order to use techniques

[@alexisauld7781]

You can't use it in the first half but you can sphere shot. Also don't be afraid to shoot with Datto or even Letty if they manage to get good positions without the defenders around (Who you can bait out to free up space). It's also always a feel good if you can get one with Wakka in the last quarter. People love to shit on Blitzball but it's fun and engaging enough if you get into it...

[@mikeclark7519]

Pass the ball between tidus and whoever you have in goal to maximize exp

[@owangejewice]

​@j-rey- yeah, coming back to me now. I think I was remembering the second half of the match as two halves. Before Wakka and after. My point is still valid, the Jecht shot makes the match trivial. And what do you mean I'm not too good at the game in general? My skillz killz breh lol

[@driftingmemories5737]

I always call Tidus the way I would pronounce Tidal Wave. Because I considered each main character named based around nature. Terra, which is Earth, Cloud being somewhat a persona of a Cloud, Squall meaning Wind and Tidus probably a resemblance to A Tidal Wave since he revolves around water. Hence why I will always call Tidus Like Tidal 😅

[@sammitch524]

What about Zidane?

[@robertkitchen3069]

Zidane doesn't exactly count considering.... Spoilers lol

[@sammitch524]

@@robertkitchen3069 I've finished FF9 several times, but I still can't figure out what you mean lol

[@Zjonishealing]

I’m Suprised at the people who say it teedus don’t call cloud, as clood

[@Coraijin]

Same here. I always feel weird with calling him Teedus instead of Tideus

[@lambdadelta3119]

Still in the first minute but, "I bought a PS2 in late 2010 and it became my main console for 4 years" goes SO hard.

[@kienisgaming]

29:10 Yeah nothing feel better than to have someone who can wipe off your whole team with 1 hit, waiting for you patiently on top of the mountain.

[@Somnifuge]

In my head, he was definitely describing the Cloister of Trials as _"tidius"_

[@midnightstrike3625]

Hironobu Sakuguchi was the executive producer of FFX so technicalities he WAS involved with it despite you saying FFX was the first game without him.

[@LilMellick]

Personally 9 is my favorite final fantasy, but 7 and 10 are close seconds. Vivi's story is just too good.

[@joshuacoons9517]

I liked FF9. 100% it once. Then put it down for years and couldn't finish it again. Not a bad game. Just I think it lack replayability. My first FF was Mystic Quest, the IV (II in USA), VI (III in USA) then VII and every one after. Everyone says that your first is typically your favorite. Mystic Quest isn't in my top 10. I like VII (including remake), VI, X, VIII and IV. Those are my top 5 for main entries. IX is down there just above XIII and XV for me

[@ohcharlie428]

I know Tactics might not count for some people because of technicality. But Ramza and Delitas whole best friends gone wrong drama hit me so hard and personally. But I did get back to the Black Mage Village in ffix...the scene where vivi kind of goes off by himself while garnet and zidane talk about him and life overnight...so incredibly heartfelt. Makes me sad playing over those moments then seeing ffxvi trailers -.-

[@AzureZelkova]

Vivi’s epilogue was just written too well

[@justinarzola4584]

Vivi was a cool character.

[@johnstarks7759]

These games are terrible and the story is absolute nonsense.

[@sciverzero8197]

The toxin actually makes a lot of sense in game when you realize that people who get close to sin sometimes experience visions in their dreams, and many of them who survive are likely those that were knocked unconscious to begin with.

[@charlesthompsonjr8126]

I need an indepth look into X-2. Being the bizarre but interesting sequel to this massive addition to the franchise, it makes interesting choices with character direction and plot points. Totally stocked for it!

[@MekBoooooi]

I still love this game and wanna replay it all the time. Part due to the pacing story and part due to connecting with Tidus. I didn't have the best relationship with my dad but deep down I still love him. I feel like that's something Tidus had to struggle with. Such a good game and story.

[@theerealatm]

Same. I didn't have the best relation with my father but he taught me discipline but I love him for what he has done.

[@Omnicloudx13]

First ps2 game I ever played back in 2001 and it was beyond amazing.

[@Poet482]

You and me, both! Got it solely because of the cover, too, though possibly in early 2002.

[@bobincognito]

Same here, it was my first videogame ever

[@Ingisen]

Excellent introduction

[@DakotaofRaptors]

This was back in 2007, but I remember watching my uncle playing this game - even getting invested in it occasionally - before I usually kicked him off to play Medal of Honor: Frontline. Still hella nostalgic tho

[@BlackWolf207]

I remember I didn’t like this game at first when I played it as a kid cuz my stepdad got this instead of another JRPG I wanted (Wild Arms 3). But then it became my favorite game of all time.

[@DonutSwordsman]

I love this game, its nostaligic while also being a true immersive fantasy that really has a lot of depth. The fact that the falling ice segment is on sins back was very interesting etc. I really hope they revisit this entry it would really be extremely hype.

[@WinkleAbiding]

Dont know if others have mentioned, but Sakaguchi was the Executive Producer on FFX, so its not post Sakaguchi. Sakaguchi was also EP on X2 as well, which was his last credit with Square

[@kaiusxazlas2291]

Bro your voice metaphors & ties to the game made me enjoy your video appreciate you bro keep making these

[@lindthechaoticheretic8708]

My favorite part of FF10 is something that I think most people miss. Jecht wasn't an abusive father. He wasn't even a mean father. He was just a celebrity with a drinking problem due to a decline in talent from old age. All of Tidus' flashbacks show how he was a big bully except for one. It's the one he almost has to force himself to remember, where he's calling for his mother, she tells him to wait cause she wants to spend more time with Jecht, but Jecht tells her to go to him. It's the only flashback where Jecht's voice isn't antagonistic, but is instead soft and warm. Remembering this time is when Tidus actually realizes the core of why he hates his father. He was a mama's boy who hated that she seemed to ignore him whenever Jecht was around. This one moment recontextualizes every other flashback in the game as Tidus being an unreliable narator and wrongly interpreting Jechts words and actions as antagonistic. The stand out example for me is the Jecht shot flashback. If you read every line by itself with no voice acting, instead of a jerk bullying a little kid for failing, you could just as easily interpret it as just a dad showing off and reasuring his son that it's okay that he can't perform a dificult technique that even professionals can't perform. What I find even more fasinating about this is that it's a real and beleivable way for trauma to have occured in a child, a trauma that is never resolved due to Jecht's "death" and then reinforced by the way his mother died, that being that she lost the will to live and passed away or possibly commited self no life all because she loved her husband so much she couldn't live withought him but not feeling the same for her only son. Given that Tidus is a child when this happens, it makes sence for this misunderstanding to persist to adulthood withought writing him to be stupid. Edit: I also just remembered that the only time Jecht actually insults Tidus isn't a memory, it's a dream Tidus has, the one were he steals the girls from him. All that said, I can only speak for the american localized version of the game. BrandoSP brought up a few examples of small but important changes in the script that I certainly wasn't aware of, so for all I know the original intent was for Jecht to just be a jackass that later regrets his ways and that being very obviously portrayed in the JP version.

[@Dr_Donald_Duck]

I agree. I also see Jecht as this macho celebrity who is just very very bad at expressing his emotions and being open/self reflective in a conversation. When he "taunts" Tidus to not cry - he actually means it: He doesn't want his son to cry because he doesn't want his son to be sad. But Jecht's voice and blunt attitude makes him come over as provocative. He reminds me a bit of Kratos but Jecht only gets to opportunity to grow emotionally during his journey with Braska, never alongside Tidus. That's why he leaves the Jecht spheres and that's one of the reasons he transports Tidus to Spira: He wants Tidus to have "a shot at life", as Auron says.

[@jessielefey]

Iunno if it's an unreliable narrator, I think on it more that you don't have to be abusive to hurt your kids. You don't have to be malicious, you can think it's not a big deal, you can even be trying your best, and still hurt your kids. Little things you don't even remember happening are scars your kids wear. The ax forgets, but the tree remembers, for me it was a Tuesday, and all that. Sure, there's context that the child is missing when the situation happens, but that doesn't dismiss the child's pain or prove they're overreacting. If your kid actually sees you as competition, that's not the kid being selfish that's a screwed up dynamic that the kid is reacting to, and that's on you (and his mom); kids don't have the agency to change anything even themselves, they're just little balls of reflexes. It's up to the adults to help them sort it out. Being an alcoholic just by itself hurts your kids. There's a whole very famous support group just about being children of alcoholics.

[@Dr_Donald_Duck]

@@jessielefey Very well said. Some beautiful insight for a youtube comment. You are right, young Tidus is not to blame and absoultely justified in his feelings. As an adult and Father it was Jechts responsibility and if Tidus hates him then that's that. End of story. It's sometimes just sad when even giving your best isn't good enough. Like I always remembered Jecht being a bad parent but I just recently noticed/felt that, he at least tried in his own way to be good to Tidus...so I i give him at least him for that. And credit to the writers for giving his character this nuance.

[@bigstopowens]

it's really not that complicated, jecht steals his mommy when he's around and tidus is just a babyback b that can't do anything without mommy, and jecht doesn't think he's doing anything wrong but a celebrity dad as we see in real life fucks up kids, theres more that probably doesn't get explained, but it seems like jecht was a great husband but not a great father. also i have other theories of what happened about tidus and his dad, like sin killed both of them 1000 years ago like they actually lived then, and sin being a aeon connected them to the future that tidus shows up in as a dream because the fayth knew about tidus and his dad from 1000 years ago

[@FeraNelia]

I think mocking your son at almost every turn counts kinda as abusive. He's always shaming Tidus in the memories, how he can't do anything but cry. Jecht was a bad father even if his intentions weren't bad, that was one of the major points in Tidus' story, getting over his dad's shadow and proving himself after spending his childhood listening how he's good for nothing but crying. In the end he both hates and loves his father. (Not that his mom was much better, letting Jecht do all that and then giving up on life after he went missing.)

[@weldy00]

Incredible. Thank you for always bringing in so much context from your knowledge of Japanese Culture and language. As a pretty big anime fan, I've gotten better at noticing the differences in subtitles vs whats being said, but I'd never be able to compare localizations so directly in games like this, so huge thank you for that, it only increases my appreciation for them

[@ryantaylor8398]

Every ultimate weapon being tied to an awful minigame is what turned me off. Especially since you need the ultimate weapons to tackle endgame bosses and speed up endgame sphere mode grinding.

[@Malisteen]

8 is defs worth the replay. the ways you can bust that game open with foreknowledge of the mechanics just make it a completely different experience from a first play through.

[@DrAbKaN]

He is hoping for a second wrenching moment from FF7…. 😂

[@gibbleway]

i found myself playing back through ff8 multiple, yes multiple times, may not have played a lot through, but it was just that feeling of familiarity for me, and yes played 7, 8, 9, then 4, and 3 and I think 1back down but 8 as you started to list was just easy and played through 9 once when it came out, liked it, its polished for what it is but dont have a curiosity to really go back kind of cartoony yes?

[@justinarzola4584]

I go back to 7 and 10 the most, definitely my favorites.

[@qownsqud3207]

Im actually playing this for the first time about 10 hours in after playing FF16. Honestly. They just dont make games like FFX anymore. The character development, the focus on STORYTELLING, deep and varying gameplay, the side content, the world building. Its sad that the era we're in now has the graphics and the technology but lacks the passion and the creativity

[@ReelRai]

Thanks for adressing the laughing scene, I get brain damage any time someone talks about that scene as if its bad localization.

[@draconuuse9731]

Man. This game is so good. I would love for them to go in and make a true remaster to bring the visuals up to modern standards. Maybe tweak the gameplay in a few bits(blitz ball could use some polish and some other small tweaks like xp all). But overall it is probably the most complete and polished game in the series. That and X-2 slaps far more than expected with its premise.

[@bbouncy12]

FFX will always be my #1 FF. I will probably never play it again because turn based combat and random encounters no longer appeal to me, but this games music, story, world, and characters will stay with me until I die. There's a lot that I don't like about my life, but it's hard to not be deeply appreciative that I got to exist in a time and place where I got to experience this. I'm not sure I can stand for the blitzball slander, but definitely watched the whole vid and appreciate the respect for this work of art. The laughing scene really cements Tidus' place as the most personally inspiring hero in the series.

[@doriansz3130]

25:49 you dont even need to attack just press triangle and guard not only you guard but your turn rate is quicker. Sorry but that argument is a little flawed it actually doesnt take that much and you never need to attack with lulu.

[@Studycase3000]

I started this yesterday, the house got busy and you had already sucked me in. I firmly said to myself THIS is mine. I turned it off and waited to finish today when no one would disturb me. I made the right choice, it was wonderful. Funny enough Laaate last night while looking forward to this upload, I started (Tidus hasn't even met Wakka yet) the steam remaster and am on my way back now to go further in the story. It is SO crystal clear. Thank you as it's been well over a decade since I've had a full playthrough.

[@PhoenixEnforcer101]

My first and favorite final fantasy. It may not be the objective best but it definitely holds a special place in my heart. Even X-2 is a pleasure

[@MrSkullMerchant]

Last time i played x2 when i was young i didnt understand the combat lol

[@romeostruedude]

@@MrSkullMerchantthe combat is sooo cool once you get a hold of it. It brings back changeable classes and the ending really helps it. The true ending is extremely difficult to get and should be way easier to obtain as it easily closes off X’s story. Def retry it if you can. Just to finally see what’s on offer

[@francescagreetham1804]

@@romeostruedude yes! I regularly go back to X-2 for the combat. I find it so soothing and it brings me such good nostalgia; it’s my happy place!

[@jasonwb6884]

The "I love you" line at the end is more fitting because Yuna truly loved Tidus.

[@torenreaves8810]

You have become my favorite retro reviewer- I am SO pumped to watch this

[@cassiedevereaux-smith3890]

'Look at what we can do with rendering water now' is on record the reason for Big the Cat and the first level of the original Sonic Adventure, and that was the same generation. yeah, I think you're dead on re: all the water in games.

[@loboneiner1034]

You can get extremely OP in this game and beat Jecht with one Magus Sister Grand Summon but yet the Dark Aeons are still way too challenging lol

[@everythingBLUE]

Yeah, the weird static faces in the HD version has sort of been the single issue keeping me from replaying this game for so many years. It's not a minor issue and I'm glad it's finally getting some attention. For those of us who play for the story, the fact that this game HAD decent facial expressions and now... they look like this... is a real deal-breaker. Hopefully we get a more worthy remaster someday.

[@MrPsymind]

I'd actually love to watch a video like this on X-2. I never managed to beat that game and love your videos format so keep em coming! :D

[@dimhue]

I usually hate youtube essays, especially about games, but your FF retrospectives have been great!

[@mauriciobetimpaesleme8702]

******SPOILERS***** 9:40 Tidus name is the only one you can choose because he is a summon... like all the summons in the game, you select the name.

[@YustinJ420]

*All the summons the player can control. You didn't get to choose Jecht's or Anima's name and if we're being technical Zanarkand (the aeon one)

[@SuperLumianaire]

Minor rant here on FFIV. The voices were a mistake. The voice actor for Cecil sounds like his balls never dropped.

[@wylon87]

I think not addressing him by name is actually canonically on point. It just adds to Tidus's detachment from Spira and how alone he feels in this strange alien world. Almost as if he is nothing more than a passing dream.

[@michaeljohnlee8036]

I dont think ive played any game as many times as FFX This was the first game i vividly remember playing and i will never get sick of it I love this game so much, the story, characters, world, aesthetic, THE SPHERE GRID All of it is just utter perfection imo

[@Meikyu1]

Quality work as always!! Love your commentary and this really brings me back to coming home after school and booting up FFX on the PS2 and just looing forward to the next awesome CG Cutscene!

[@radicalcentrist4990]

There are some people that don't look back too fondly on it nowadays, say it didn't age too well or that it wasn't that great to begin with. But in its days this game had almost the same impact as 7 but for the PS2. It was basically THE RPG for PS2. Every PS2 gamer probably had it in their library, it's the 5th best selling game of the system after all.

[@AT-qu2bz]

Bro stop inventing shit, I never ever heard a person saying this game didnt age well

[@AndrewBluett]

Solid work, dude! I especially appreciate how you went the extra mile to talk about how the game's themes of dualism is more apparent in the Japanese version, and trying to confirm the inspiration for Auron's arm sling. Will definitely help when I get around to my own FFX video in a couple years. Final Fantasy X is a fantastic game, and a great entry point. It brought me to tears several times and that ending...damn, that ending left me an emotional wreck. I haven't had the time to play X-2 yet (been working on my own FF retrospective series) but I'm looking forward to your video on it. And your FF9 video. I look forward to that, too, whenever it happens. We'll see who gets theirs done first.

[@The80Kat]

This is my all time favorite ff!!!!! Glad to see some love thrown that wY

[@PTM_97]

I was a "little" late to the party, FFX was my first Final Fantasy game, around 2 years ago. Since then I've played IX and VI, VII is the next on my list. VI is probably my favorite story wise, and I can't deny how airtight IX is. X still has amazing music, good characters, powerful moments, and was really approachable for a first timer like me. Definitely a memorable game, even though I have since played entries in the series I like more.

[@joshuacoons9517]

Once you play VII you going to have to change your line up. lol by far the best for me at least.

[@PTM_97]

@@joshuacoons9517 The only issue is that I've been exposed to it for so long since it's by far the most popular one, so I've been spoiled on a few plot points. But still excited to try it.

[@shaclown7721]

Ok, i abaolutely LOST you at the blitzball part. What the hell so you mean, "it f'in sucks"?? Blitzball was my favorite part of the game! I loved playing tournaments, improving my players, hiring new ones you find on the streets that had amazing abilities etc. The blitzball of FFX-2 however, was absolute garbage. Instead of controlling your player, you managed your team from afar, which felt horrible..

[@Rithysak101]

This game is my favorite final fantasy game besides XIV and it's the game i would always recommend first time players to try.

[@at0micl0bster]

4, 6, 9 and 10 id say are "good" first time games

[@cocacody1]

Trials are great for the world building, they challenge the summoners to weed out the weakest.Blitzball is a fantastic FF minigame. Best of FF, you just hate having the odds against you until you level up. FinalFantasyX is the greatest FinalFantasy

[@Warorc194]

You know honestly Brando, I am surprised you don't seem to have a patreon. This stuff is high quality analysis, and I'd be glad to donate some to show appreciation to you for how good this stuff is. I never even considered FFXIII's localization woes until hearing about them from you. As well a lot of other neat facts about a game series I love.

[@ThBrando]

These videos are just something I do in my spare time. I have a day job that pays reasonably well, and there isn't much financially I could do to improve the quality of the videos, so I'd feel bad for taking people's money to essentially just pocket it.

[@HaykInWonderland]

​@@ThBrando imagine a world..... 🥲

[@Ephraim225]

51:12 dude whatever I don't care just let me skip the cutscenes and we're good, that's the real issue, I wouldn't hate it so much if I didn't have to re-watch it on every replay

[@wiseguy240Winston]

10 was my 2nd favorite, but lately, I found myself at a tie with now between itself & FF6. Nowadays, I really wanna play FF13 again, and personally, I like that game, especially more than 15. Hopefully, Square has been listening to ppl wanting a remaster of the 13 trilogy.

[@curtisspence2321]

This! Every numbered game is available to play on ps5 right now except 11 and the 13 trilogy. I'd buy them in a heartbeat

[@shaunalburt901]

I am watching this video while I’m at work and it’s very interesting to learn more about the world of Final Fantasy 10

[@flight240]

my only gripe with the Final Fantasy X "universe" was that it didn't end with FFX. FFX's ending was the perfect crescendo to an awesome journey where we knew the consequences. it wasn't a fairy tale ending where everyone gets to leave completely whole- and sometimes, that's just life.

[@lolz-rf7ry]

Correct me if Im wrong, doesn't Tidus come back to life and then immediately die kicking an exploding Blitzball

[@an_impasse]

​@@lolz-rf7ryjust bad fan fiction

[@NOVA2509]

Kinda sad to make an hour+ long retrospective and not talk about the biggest thing the game does which the lore of Spira itself. Things like why and how Sin exists in the first place or actually explaining why Bevelle as machina all over the place eventhough it's the "place of faith" (nice reference). Granted the video would be 1 hour longer if we started to explain what happened in Spira at the time Zanarkand wasn't yet ruins and why it's even more sinister that Bevelle is trying to play the "good guy" in the whole Sin story. Spoilers alert for FFX and X-2 if you want to read more. 1st thing to clear up : The Bevelle vs Zanarkand war, who do you think was the machina city, with all the war machines, and the summoner city ? The response is clear cut if you play X-2 by the simple existence of Vegnagun and it's very easy to argue that Zanarkand wasn't the machina city since technology was present thoughout Spira. The second piece of evidence is Yu Yevon himself who is described as a peerless summoner from Zanarkand. It's easy then to deduce that he summoned Sin to win the war. At what cost though ? Most technology of the world and his home town itself. The past Zanarkand we see in game was never the real one but dreams from the faiths in mount Gagazet, purposely summoning the entire city for a thousand years. With Zanarkand gone, Bevelle easily acquired the summoning arts and repurposed it as the church of Yevon as a tool to control the masses, playing the role of false prophet with a fabricated prophecy that Sin will be gone if everyone repents with an easy scapegoat for why it is never going to happen : the al-bheds. And that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the crimes Bevelle actually piles on. This whole comment is to give more insight to think more about the game and how it's not just about the journey to defeat the final boss but also discovering a twisted society with bankrupt morals. Also, Wakka is racist towards al-bheds and became a Yevon zealot because his brother died while using one of their weapon.

[@TofuSG98]

Why does Sin keep coming back? And where is it from?

[@TofuSG98]

Gotta find a decent Spira lore vid

[@NOVA2509]

@@TofuSG98 Sin comes back because it's the armor of Yu Yevon. To destroy the armor, one summoner needs the Final Aeon which is provided by Yunalesca in Zanarkand (reminder that a guardian becomes the Final Aeon). Yu Yevon then leaves the broken armor to fuse with the Aeon and comes back when it's reformed. That's why the plan in the last fight is to summon all Aeons so Yu Yevon would possess them all and weaken it further. Also important to note is that, at one point, Yu Yevon just forgets his own existence and just summons Sin endlessly being just a shell of himself that's just capable of one action.

[@calvinmatthews1527]

To me, FFX is in a deadlock for best game along with VI, VII, & IX for many. But you're right Brandon, IX is the best, although X is more important. X made a huge step for series with it voice acting, full 3D world, etc. and is a timeless masterpiece for such. Sure, it has problems (it's an over 20 year game), doesn't change the fact that it's still a generation-defining masterpiece.

[@Thex-W.I.T.C.H.-xMaster]

2:22. I feel you bro.

[@travelsizedlions]

> Insists on pronouncing Tidus Teedus because it's technically correct > Refuses to pronounce the "c" in Jecht Frustrating, but I'll allow it. Can't knock a guy too much for working so hard to make an hour long retrospective on such a great game. Thanks for this. :)

[@YustinJ420]

He probably doesn't do it on purpose. For some people it can be difficult to pronounce the "kt" sound properly

[@sparkyboy4142]

KZbin suggested this video. Never heard of BrandoSP before, but I clicked. I'm enjoying the video and then got to: "And that's a shame, because FF9 is the best one. I said it" Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand subscribed.

[@bombomos]

Literally reasons why i still have my PS2. Cuz PC sucks. Also the OG OST is too beautiful. Also one thing to add, Wakka's hate for the al bed is because he blames them from his brother's death. His racism isnt anything other than him grieving for his brother. As his story progresses and he starts to heal from his brothers death he inturn stops his hatred for the al bed.... But yeah. Its a different racism than the one you see today all over social media

[@the_bee_hippie]

My bruda, you must be suffering from Sins toxin. Blitzball is love, blitzball is life! On my travels I met a kid that aspired to BE a blitzball. How can you say blitzball is a matter of chance? It its a way of life. Sounds like you just didn't practice enough with your team, yeah?

[@DeathsHand97]

Now that I have completed the video. Pretty good quality overall I would still say there was still a bit of spoilers before the spoiler section but I mean the game is a few decades old. I have a few things I want to say though. 1. I actually really like blitzball (especially compared to ffX-2). If you are having trouble on the match against the goers(trust me I hated it as a kid) you can learn the jecht shot and for the first entire half just pass the ball back and forth a few times between tidus and one of the aurochs, then hide behind your goalie( the ai freaks out and just spins in circles) also make sure you use manual to control your characters. Fun thing to note is that during my most recent playthrough I won 5 - 0 and if you score more and more points different little scenes play like the crowd cheering more and tidus flipping in the water. Also after you can make your own team blitzball is super easy ( really all you need is a decent goalie and recruit brother from the airship) then you can unlock the jecht shot mk II 2. Yeah I'm in a minority because I like the cloister of trials but after you beat it once it really just becomes tedious. 3. I will always get the bonus in all cloisters because anima is my favorite summon 4. Best summon is in fact anima and she is a queen 5. Also if you are having trouble getting the 100 consecutive lightning dodges there is a small hole above one of the towers that when stepping in will force lightning to strike and if you pair that with the equipment that stops encounters it actually becomes decently easy 6. And most importantly if anyone gives you crap about the laughing scene always remember that it is in fact supposed to be cringe. And thus when someone says that it is cringe they have admitted that it is in fact one of the best voice acted scenes in history.

[@MoreImbaThanYou]

When I replayed FFX some years ago, I simply named Tidus "You". Problem solved.

[@baahcusegamer4530]

Although I never played FFX, I certainly watched a playthrough. It is a touching story and for it’s time an exciting technical feast. And the soundtrack is legendary. Glad to see you reviewing it!

[@bzipoli]

you should definitely try it yourself now. even on emulation (including mobile ps2 emu and such) if you have the time tbh. it's a fun ride and imo having seen being played doesn't ruin the experience (hence why is ok to come back and play it again for so many people) have fun ❤

[@matthewd9822]

I spent ENTIRE SUMMERS inside playing Blitzball. I LOVED it! Thanks for the vids buddy, great content!

[@Animus_Altia]

Brando, I have massively helpful advice I can give whenever you replay this game and want to properly level the party evenly. Guarding with the triangle button counts as a battle action for exp gain. You take less damage, and it has a MUCH smaller cost on the battle timeline.

[@chainsofgames]

Thanks

[@MyOrangeString]

There's also a very simple mod on PC, that distributes exp evenly even with non participants.

[@kinsan89]

Switching weapon/armour is also a very fast action

[@Animus_Altia]

@@kinsan89 True, though it isn't as universally useful as guarding.

[@kinsan89]

@@Animus_Altia i use it when I see it will let that character move before the next enemy movement, so I can swap back to a different character quicker, but I definitely do use guarding when that's not the case. It's a matter of circumstance

[@keithbowlin207]

7 will forever be the og .. I attempted it like 4 times in my life and always get stuck at same part .. I bought it on my ps4 last week and I beat it in 33 hours

[@uq473]

Let's go! Love your reviews and this is by far my favourite Final Fantasy

[@LaBelleKairi]

I'M SO HAPPY! You did a retrospective of FFX!!! Thank you!

[@vietdinh8135]

The best devil’s advocate defense of Yuna saying “thank you” in Japanese is that it adds further motivation for her journey in X-2. There’s more emotional weight to her actions and to her eventual reunion if regretted not telling him she loved him when she had the chance.

[@arkeshn729]

Hearing the alternate line didn't change the scene for me. That quiet "Thank you" or "I love you" after that journey and clear romantic feelings holds a tremendous weight either way.

[@FelixS.]

X is based on eastern culture where feelings are handled differently and not as open as in western countries. The „thank you“ is absolutely in line with Xs setting and only millenials with the attention span for Michael Bay movies are not able to cherish plot elements not thrown in every ones face.

[@vietdinh8135]

@@FelixS. that’s cool. I am from an eastern culture myself and I, as well as very very many Japanese players think “I love you” is a much better line. It’s actually directly addressed at 1:09:00 of the video. So great job being very condescending and also wrong and also clearly showing you didn’t watch the actual video.

[@FelixS.]

@@vietdinh8135 I did watch the video and I lived in Tokyo for five years. I think what is going on here is the actual modern feelings of people from Japan differs greatly from traditions that have been presented within the last decades. I mean common just watch any random anime and see how relationships are handled compared to western cartoons. It is impossible to not come to the conclusion even modern media from Japan displaying relationships in a mostly traditional way. And there is no causality regarding how Japanese audience actually feels about it. We are not discussing preferences here but why the relationship in X is presented the way it is.

[@FelixS.]

@@vietdinh8135 Also please stop this strawman „you disagree with the video -> you didn’t watch it“. It’s just embarrassing to discuss with ad hominem. Doesn’t make you look smart.

[@Gnome_Pepe]

Got FFX When I was atleast 8nor 9 years old and didn't understand it. Later on finally played it on my ps2 in 2014 for the first time and have never loved another game as much as I did FFX. Game/story/gameplay/THE MUSIC everything is perfect for me! I like FFVII and FFVIII but FFX Is the most complete for me for some reason.

[@AmazingOwnage]

I love Blitzball, but I understand the hate it gets. It just clicks for me and I really enjoy destroying the AI.

[@AzraelNewtype0079]

It's a little maddening how much of the early game comes down to "did you manage not to fuck up the minigame that unlocks Jecht Shot?", but yeah I kind of love it too. In X. X-2's changes are a different story.

[@ItachiKai]

Sakaguchi not being involved with FFX is not something that I've heard before, nor am I able to find anything regarding this. He's credited as Executive Producer on FFX which is the same role he's credited with on FF8. I think that saying FFX is a "non-Sakaguchi FF" is just not correct. It's not the first FF game where he was not the director. I did find quotes about him discussing deliberations the team had regarding FFX, so it seems this claim is explicitly incorrect.

[@Lesquille]

Loving these long analysis videos. Would love to see them for the other FF games too, even some of the really old ones.

[@midnightstrike3625]

This is by far the best Final Fantasy in the series. I remember buying it on 2012 for the PS2 after always being mystified by the front cover for years. I was considering waiting for the HD Collection that was recently announced but I'm so glad I didn't add it would have been another 2 years at that point. I have beaten this game 4 times as well. Can't get enough of it!

[@HollowRick]

Wow 2012 I remember I first played the game In 2005 amazing experience playing it with a friend the fight with Seymour flux always brings back great memories with that one friend who unfortunately we well fell out of touch but I still cherish the fun times we had with this game when we were teenagers

[@migovas1483]

It deepens the person, I felt this was a biiig snooze fest for me , I waited years to play on this, something I didn't do often with FF games, because the overall weight on cut scenes CGI, and overly cheese plot points here and there around the time, felt fishy, kept me suspicious about it... I gave it a chance years ago and oh, my...I remembered how Tidus design was Terrible, and the game felt so so linear, the world map felt more like a Chore list , and IF there was some interest on the game, fell apart when you 'unlock the world ' for exploration..., and I completely lost attachment reaching the final Dungeon of the game. I finished it, but is one of those games I feel was a big waste of my time, while some games I praise for the duration and how much time I 'invested', here I wished I could have played something else, instead of giving weeks to this game. And every time approaching the end I just wanted to end..common, common let finish already... At the end I needed to know if there was something that I would like, maybe after some hours? Maybe some plot twist, maybe some side quests.., character development, mechanics?? Nope.. I don' feel it was 'ahead of its time' either, is pretty much standard 90's Anime , not complaining, but the plot was all over the place with too much 'romance' sprinkled all over it , and somehow too light despite all the cut scenes, still feels a bit thin, relaying mostly on the visuals. Too many people , and not much to say . I get it, is 'pretty', good CGI, and probably why most people start with this one, also the PS2 was when Sony was dominating the Gaming industry, so it was a solid game for its time, but was not for me.

[@dartagnan553]

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​@@migovas1483 can you compare a game with another game next time you criticize a video game, because that really makes no sense at all. It's really funny. I would say the game really wasn't to your tastes and it's fine, we all have preferences, but all those things you said speak more about your own personal preference, which is perfectly fine, than the game or if it's bad or good. When one compares the romance aspect of this one with FFXIII or FFXV, for ex., it's clear this one has the more fleshed out and true to life portrayal of two people in love. The amount of interaction is on par with FFIX Garnet and Zidane but it still isn't overkill because of the masterful story telling and pacing. Which is non existent in FFXV, for example. I think FFX has too few romance cutscrnes actually. There are two plot twists in FFX, well, three. Too many people, and not too much to say, I disagree. The plot doesn't really drop to ocean deel levels of philosophical content but it does run deep. There's much backbone to FFX lore, to the events that happen during the game and even a millennia before. O'halland, the origin of the al bhed, Baaj Temple and Seymours time spent alone there during his teenage years, his mother's sacrifice, becoming the final aeon yet Seymour gives up trying to kill Sin. Jecht Auron and Braska back story told through dozens of Spheres. Lulu failed pilgrimage. Wakka brother death. Past summoners. The monster arena guy is actually an unsent and the main villain of ffx-2. Look how much there is and I have to stop because it's too much. Character development. James arnold Taylor has told he deepened his voice as he was progressing throughout the story in order to reflect Tidus's becoming more mature. Tidus becomes less and less playful as the game goes on. He accepts that he won't be going back to zanarkand. Lulu dislikes Tidus at first, then grows fond of him. Kimahri faces the two ronso that broke his horn and doesn't run from them, anymore. Tidus faces reality. Rikku faces her fear of thunder. Lol Wakka, the religious zealot, accepts that maybe their religion is at fault and questions his believes, siding against the religion. Sorry if this seems like a rant because it's not, I'm really chill. it's just that I really don't think what you said is true at all.