Final Fantasy X: The Game That Changed Square Forever

The arrival of Final Fantasy X on PlayStation 2 wasn’t just a technical upgrade—it was the seismic event that redefined both the iconic RPG franchise and its creator, SquareSoft. Beneath the surface of stunning visuals and newly-voiced heroes, a storm of creative risks, internal drama, and industry milestones brewed. Let’s pull back the curtain on how one groundbreaking game closed an era while charting a bold new path for Final Fantasy.

Final Fantasy X: Ambition and Upheaval Collide

• The first Final Fantasy with full voice acting, lush visuals, and a daring narrative shift
• Launched on PS2, setting a new bar for the series’ technical and artistic ambition
• Development shadowed by the failure of a big-budget movie and the departure of series visionary Hironobu Sakaguchi
• Redefined the franchise’s future—at the expense of SquareSoft’s familiar identity

When Final Fantasy X landed, it wasn’t just another facelift. The game became a PlayStation 2 showcase, boasting vibrant worlds, expressive character animations, and—crucially—full voice acting for the first time. This wasn’t just a surface-level polish: for characters like Tidus and Yuna, it unlocked new emotional resonance, pulling players into a tale that wrestled with themes like grief, destiny, and religious dogma—subjects most RPGs of the era wouldn’t dare touch.

Behind the lush world of Spira, though, SquareSoft was weathering its own crisis. The much-anticipated film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within bombed at the box office, straining finances and shaking confidence in the company’s multimedia dreams. To make matters more dramatic, Hironobu Sakaguchi—the mastermind who’d led Final Fantasy since the beginning—left the company during FFX’s final phase, casting uncertainty over the franchise’s direction.

Despite the backstage drama, Final Fantasy X delivered on nearly every front. The Sphere Grid system ditched traditional leveling, letting players sculpt their party’s abilities in ways that remain innovative even today. Its complex themes and unforgettable cast—including standouts like Auron and Lulu—cemented FFX as a milestone for both die-hard fans and newcomers alike.

Now, over twenty years on, FFX is remembered as both a finale and a beginning—a bridge between Square’s adventurous past and its cinematic present. Its influence can be felt throughout modern Final Fantasy, especially in the way later games blend movie-quality presentation with gutsy storytelling. But it came at a price: SquareSoft’s identity was transformed forever, and some longtime fans still mourn the series’ lost quirkiness in favor of mass appeal.

Looking back, Final Fantasy X stands as a daring pivot—a masterpiece that reimagined a franchise while risking everything. Did the series gain more than it lost? Was the price for progress too steep? One thing’s undeniable: FFX’s legacy is as layered and intriguing as its story.

TL;DR: Final Fantasy X ushered in the PS2 era with cinematic flair and voice acting, but its creation was marred by corporate turmoil and the loss of key creative minds. The end result? A bold reinvention that reshaped both the series and SquareSoft’s destiny.

Source: SquareSoft via GamesPress