Today's game on display from our physical collection is Final Fantasy X | X-2 HD Remaster for the PlayStation 3!
Growing up, the Final Fantasy series wasn't really something I had access to. I was typically limited to games my parents approved of, and if it wasn't a title they knew about or felt was okay for me to play, they didn't buy it—which included the entire Final Fantasy series. Of course, there were a few instances where I got hold of a game they might not have liked, or at least my mom wouldn't have, but in general, I stuck to Mario, Kirby, Sonic, and similar titles. Then something changed: I became a massive fan of Kingdom Hearts.
It was thanks to the Kingdom Hearts series that I developed an interest in Final Fantasy, with titles like Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy X piquing my interest the most. Sadly, by the time I was able to purchase my own games, X was a bit harder to come by, so it evaded me. Instead, I took the opportunity to work my way through nearly the rest of the series, hoping to one day complete my collection with both X and X-2. That didn't happen until years later with the release of the HD Remaster, and even then, its pickup came with a bit of a mix-up.
A Pre-Order Mix-Up
By the time the HD versions of X and X-2 were on their way, I was already fairly familiar with the game thanks to my friend Derek. It was one of his favorite PS2 titles, and he talked about it often. Because of that, I already knew the basics of the plot, but I still wanted to experience the journey for myself. I placed a pre-order at GameStop for the PlayStation Vita version and eagerly awaited launch day.
However, due to my day job at the time, I couldn't be anywhere near the store where I placed the order, so I reached out to my parents for help. Since I still lived at home and they happened to be shopping in that city, they agreed to swing by and pick it up, I just had to talk to the store manager on the phone to confirm who I was. Thankfully he knew me, so it wasn't an issue, but they had to be sure. Looking back, it's pretty funny that the very people who originally kept me from playing the game were the ones helping me get my copy!
The downside was that although I had ordered the Vita version, the store had set aside a Limited Edition PlayStation 3 copy for me instead. While I was a bit disappointed at first, I'm actually glad I got it on PS3. I eventually ordered a Vita copy later and swapped between TV and handheld play using the cross-save feature, but my very first playthrough took place on a TV, just as originally intended.
Leaving a Lasting Impression
Before long, I was back home and exploring a strange new world and becoming invested in the characters' lives. The mystery itself had me intrigued, but what stood out to me most was in fact the battle system. While a few elements annoyed me during the main campaign—especially certain dungeon designs—the combat and customization only improved as the game progressed, keeping me completely hooked right up until the end. The active-time elements were gone, replaced by a strategic, pure turn-based system featuring character swapping and an expansive set of skills to utilize. I loved every second of it.
By the time the credits rolled, I had gained a much deeper appreciation for the story, but still to this day it isn't my main reason for going back to Final Fantasy X or even X-2.
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