Final Fantasy X just celebrated its 20th anniversary yesterday. The JRPG classic first came out in Japan on July 19, 2001 for the PlayStation 2. Since then, it has been Remastered for modern consoles in 2013, and has continued to leave a lasting legacy in the Final Fantasy series and the gaming landscape at large. Art Director Yusuke Naora celebrated the anniversary with a new piece of artwork.

Depending on who you ask, Final Fantasy X seems to be both “the last good Final Fantasy” or “the first bad one”. Personally, I find it to be the best entry point to the Final Fantasy series for an aspiring newcomer. Why? Because it clearly embodies the ‘essence' of a Final Fantasy game. It caters to both the staunch old guard of players who grew up playing the older Final Fantasy games on the SNES. Meanwhile it also appeals to the newer players who started their console gaming days with the PlayStation 2.

The Final Fantasy Crossroads

Final Fantasy X was a game that was developed during a changing-of-the-guard period at SquareSoft. This was the last single-player Final Fantasy with the series' founder, Hironobu Sakaguchi in a major role. This was also the last Final Fantasy with legendary composer Nobuo Uematsu taking the helm of the soundtrack. Contemporaries who would later on become major composers in later games, Masashi Hamauzu and Junya Nakano, also contributed to the masterful soundtrack. It would also be the last Final Fantasy to apply the classic (albeit slightly tweaked) turn-based battle system the franchise was known for.

Final Fantasy X also features one of the most remarkable things about the Final Fantasy franchise – embracing change and innovation. This readiness to adapt is what sets the series apart from its JRPG rivals such as Dragon Quest. Dragon Quest is like the best JRPG comfort food, with familiar tropes and battle systems that are all generally similar. Meanwhile, each numbered  Final Fantasy is like taking a chance at that new restaurant that opened downtown – you might find yourself becoming a regular, or just discover some new dislikes. Final Fantasy X embraced this spirit in droves. It eschewed the tried-and-tested world-map traversal of previous games for a more linear experience. It was the first Final Fantasy to feature voice acting and a plethora of real-time cutscenes. This was also the first game in the series to introduce a flexible, grid-based character-progression system.

Accessibility as a Priority

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Additionally, Final Fantasy X is one of the easiest in the series to get into, especially for newcomers. The battle system, while still offering a challenge to those looking for it, is easy to understand and play. Similarly, the story is delivered in a mostly linear, easily digestible fashion. Final Fantasy X puts you in the shoes of main character Tidus, who begins the game as a Blitzball (think magical water polo plus soccer) star. Suddenly, a giant monster attacks his hometown of Zanarkand. He then mysteriously wakes up transported into the world of Spira. This is a magical tropical-inspired landscape full of different towns and peoples with their own histories and cultures. There, he meets the summoner, Yuna. She bears the burden of defeating Sin, the same monster that destroyed Zanarkand. From there begins a long adventure filled with an interesting cast of characters.

There are themes of overcoming loss, the price of duty, and more, all handled with a deft hand and impressive nuance. The world of Spira and its inhabitants are beautiful and distinctly Final Fantasy X with an art direction that stands out even within the Final Fantasy franchise itself.

All these factors make Final Fantasy X the best entry point into the series. It will give you a good litmus test for whether the franchise is for you. This is of course, at least when it comes to those who prefer a single-player experience. Those who don't mind the trappings of an MMO might be more at home in Final Fantasy XIV – a game that's seen a significant surge in popularity lately. You can check out our guide into getting into FFXIV here.