Final Fantasy X - Piggyback

Final Fantasy; basically, THE first name you will hear uttered by any gamer, when asked about RPG's (role playing games). Quite simply, this is the definitive game; the game that other games aspire to be, but can never quite achieve. And there's a simple reason why…Final Fantasy has an element of magic, a way of drawing you in to the storyline and not letting you go…there is just something about the line of games that makes you sit back in your seat ...
...- The abbreviated form of Final Fantasy X (10)

'''FFI - IX'''
Considering this review is for the tenth instalment, what happened to FF1-9, I hear you cry. Well, these games were all made for earlier consoles:
FF 1-3 for the NES
FF 4-6 for the SNES
FF7-9 for the PS1 (though can be played on PS2 and PS3)
FF7 was also available for the PC

These games were iconic. FF7 is where the series ... more

Final Fantasy; basically, THE first name you will hear uttered by any gamer, when asked about RPG's (role playing games). Quite simply, this is the definitive game; the game that other games aspire to be, but can never quite achieve. And there's a simple reason why…Final Fantasy has an element of magic, a way of drawing you in to the storyline and not letting you go…there is just something about the line of games that makes you sit back in your seat and think 'wow'.

So here it is; the tenth instalment of the ridiculously popular line of games, and the first game made for the PS2 (PlayStation 2). Forgive me for lamenting about this game, but when I played it through the first time (oh yes, this game has serious replay value) it took my breath away. And I'm not joking. But, to truly appreciate this gem of a game, you need to know what on earth you're doing. Enter the strategy guide…

The Basics
Okay, I'm throwing around terms here that many people might not have the faintest idea about, so a quick reference guide to help you through the review:

RPG - a role playing game, usually coming from Japan. A genre of video game, where you are in control of a character, and command their every move. Generally speaking you make them walk through different areas, use them to pick up objects and fight enemies; in essence, you take on the role of the main character.

FFX - The abbreviated form of Final Fantasy X (10)

FFI - IX
Considering this review is for the tenth instalment, what happened to FF1-9, I hear you cry. Well, these games were all made for earlier consoles:
FF 1-3 for the NES
FF 4-6 for the SNES
FF7-9 for the PS1 (though can be played on PS2 and PS3)
FF7 was also available for the PC

These games were iconic. FF7 is where the series started getting major recognition, and if you ask an avid FF fan how they got into the series, most will tell you they got hooked on 7. Considering the atrocious graphics of FF7 (they literally have square hands, facial features are crude and don't move) its obvious gamers weren't drawn in by aesthetics. Each and every FF has a new set of characters, a new world, and a fantastically immersing plot line. FF is all about the gameplay, and the story. The graphics get better with each instalment, but the strong plotlines are what make you a die hard fan.

The Guide
Okay, this review is about the guide, rather than the game. (Which is handy - we'd be here all day if I were to describe the beauty of the game!) It was released in May 2002, by the company Piggyback, and is the official guide for the game (i.e. Square have allowed them the rights to make this books).

So let's get started. The guide is, quite obviously, a walkthrough for the game. It tells you where to go, when to do it, and what to do once you get there. But it also a companion. This book will become your best friend when you embark upon the epic journey that is FFX. …Which is quite fortunate, considering you'll shun all of your other friends in favour of nights in playing this!

So, it starts off with the contents page, as you do. Already we get to see some of the beauty of the game; the image background is crisp and clear, and shows just what Square have done with their new PS2 platform - this art is lightyears ahead of what was in the FF9 guide book. The contents page is divided into sections:

i. How to Play
I seriously recommend reading this before you start off, even if you've played through every other FF game in the series. Because if you HAVE played through every other FF game, you'll know that no two are the same when it comes to levelling up and learning new skills and spells. Who can forget the ever popular [/sarcasm] junction system of FF8, that many people played through and still don't understand? FFX takes this to a new level with the introduction of the 'sphere grid'. Though this actually WAS popular with fans, and I personally loved it.

The sphere grid takes away the need to learn skills by levelling up (usually once your character wins enough fights, you get spells accordingly). Instead, each character is placed on the sphere grid, and you earn points for winning fights. You can use these points to move, and then use special items called 'spheres' that are dropped in battles to unlock the node your character is on, and either learn a new spell, or increase their stats (speed, agility, power, magic, defence, magic defence).

This means that basically all characters can master ANY skill - awesome! And you can learn the more powerful curaga spell before you learn cure if you take specific routes! All of this is explained in great detail, along with maps (there is a beginner or expert grid - you can choose which you want when you start the game) of the sphere grid, so you can choose paths for your characters when you've decided which skills you want first (maybe you want make Yuna into an immensely strong fighter? It can happen, the choice is yours! My Yuna is always far stronger than My Auron!)

There are also detailed lists of the spells and skills you can learn on the grid, what they do, and how much HP (hit points) or MP (magic points) are needed to execute the move. They've got the system explained very well, and I can't foresee any problems with anyone being able to learn how to use the sphere grid - it's complex, but there is logic, a and with the guide, it's a very effective way of learning your skills if used properly!

The next complex thing is Aeons. These are mythical creatures, and are usually featured in FF games (GF's in FF8, Eidolons in FF9) that can be summoned by a character mid-fight, and do your fighting for you. Only Yuna can summon them, though, so this makes her an awesome character to keeping your main party and level up, as when she levels up, it makes the Aeons stronger, too. The guide explains how to use them, and how to level them up. It also explains the feature by which you can trade items you have bought or won in fights to 'buy' them spells and abilities.

There are also in depth discussions for the battle system, and status ailments that can be incurred in battle, but those familiar with the FF games will already know about these. The battle system has been changed from the old ATB system (waiting for a bar to fill up before you get a hit) to a turn based system, so the opponent waits for you. This takes pressure off you when trying to think of your next move.

ii. Characters
Always a nice little addition to game guides, the FFX manual lists all of the playable characters. Each gets a page, a colour manga style art picture, 4 in-game pictures and a few lines on their past, when you first meet them in-game, their age and their battle styles. It just gives you a bit of an introduction into the world you're about to enter.

iii. Walkthrough
Right, now we're on to the main part of the book. The storyline is very linear, so there is only one way to go about completing the game. The book introduces each area as you come to it in the game, and tells you exactly what to do every step of the way while you're in the village/area.

Items that can be found in treasure chests are highlighted by means of red text in the main text, and there is usually an accompanying picture screenshot of Tidus picking up the item, so you can see exactly where it is. There will be a 'legend' for each area, telling you what can be picked up for free, and then a letter beside it. Confer with the map, which will show you exactly where to find your freebie!

Most places usually have shops, where you can stock up on healing items, and upgrade your equipment and weapons. If there is a shop in the area, the guide will give a little handy list telling you what they sell, and how much it costs.

There is also a map for each area. These are really useful, as the areas are quite big, and the camera angle means you'll never be able to see it all and find out where you're going. Having said that, they can be quite hard to follow. Often the rooms or different sections of an area will be divided into separate maps, with arrows joining where you leave one and start another. But they can be at different angles, and when trying to look between book and screen, can be quite disorienting!

When you come up to a boss monster fight, there will be a picture of the monster, and it's key stats (HP, items you can steal, elements it is strong/weak against) as a quick and handy reference. There are also 'strategies' for defeating some of the tougher boss monsters.

All throughout the walkthrough, there are plenty of gorgeous pictures, either in game footage or artwork, which truly bring it to life.

iv. Items
Just when you thought it couldn't get any more complicated, enter items. Your weapons are good. The ones you can win through fights, or earn from in-game events are pretty damn cool. But why have 'pretty damn cool' when you can have AWESOME!

The problem is, one person's cool, is another's 'why oh why did you do that?!' In the past, characters usually get an 'ultimate' weapon, with the best effects (such as a fire ability) or the best stats (increased strength). But maybe you're an ice person. Or like your agility, and don't want to be bogged down with a heavy sword. Then FFX is for you! You can earn weapons and equipment with 'free slots' on them, and in the menu, can create your own items, with the effects and stats YOU want. The guide tells you what applying all the different items does to your stuff, so you can pick and choose to customise your gear exactly how you want it! How cool is that?!

They also give you a list of what equipment and weapons can be found in game, if you see something you like, why not save yourself some time and buy that item? It tells you which ones have free slots that can be customised, and what other effects they have.

v. Monsters
Usually called Bestiary in FF guides, this is basically an encylopedia of all of the monsters you can come up against in the game. It gives their stats (HP, MP, elemental strengths and weakness, what items they drop, what items you can steal from them)

vi. Blitzball
The main sport of both past and future Spira, basically a kind of hand-held football under water. The characters Tidus and Wakka are professionals in the sport (though in different times) and it comes in as the main mini-game. You only HAVE to play it once, in Luka, but after the main story you have the option to play it more. It's very much worth it, as some high priced and unique items can be got by winning matches and the league in this game.

The guide goes into great detail of the rules of the sport, how to level up, how to learn and use techniques (very fun!) and the different attributes of the players. It also explains the league and friendly matches should you wish to pursue the mini-game further.

All in all, it's a very comprehensive guide, well illustrated with in game pictures, and thoroughly covered.

vii. Mini-Games
There are many other mini-games, most of them involve little games that will earn you items to put together to make the characters 'ultimate' weapons. Some can be tedious or frustrating (or seem down right impossible!) but all are covered in detail, and with applicable maps and in game pictures to show how it should be done. It's just doing them that's the hard part…

Ease of Use
FFX isn't a game where you're going to be needing to find a reference quickly. If you encounter a surprise fight while walking through an area, you don't even have to pause your game, as the turn based battle system means you can happily leave it running in real time while you go and make yourself a cup of tea.

However, it is very easy to find what you want. Each page has a little tab on the bottom to tell you what chapter you're in, the walkthrough follows the game completely, so you don't have to keep flicking through trying to find the area you're in, the monsters listed are all in alphabetical order (the name of the monster pops up on screen, so you don't have to try and guess its name!)

All in all, it's very easy to navigate.

Presentation
Like all other FF game guides, and the actual games, the cover is pure white with the title of the game and logo, nothing more. I find it very elegant, especially compared to the more crowded covers of the Japanese and American versions. Even though it's a simple cover, it draws your attention.

Inside…the in game screen captures, and the beautiful character and landscape artwork truly bring the guide to life. It's a pleasure to look through.

Value for Money
The RRP for this guide is £12.99, which is a fair bit, though clocks up 228 pages (though they count the back and front cover in this count) in full colour. The FF guides are all around this price, but do shop around - you can find them new a bit cheaper on sites like Amazon, and even cheaper second hand! Considering the guide is now six and a half years old, it's not too difficult to pick yourself up a bargain!

…But is it worth buying at all? In my opinion…YES! Yes, yes and a million times yes. RPG's are notorious for having fantastic secrets, or special weapons/items that can only be accessed if you did some tiny obscure quest near the beginning. So if you overlooked it, while trying to get a handle on the gameplay…you ruin it for yourself later. And considering how long you can spend playing FFX (I've clocked up 350+ hours on one of my run throughs) you want to make sure you unlock everything.

To get the most enjoyment from the game, it's best to buy this, even at the RRP. Just try to grab it cheaper if you can!

Conclusion
Buy it! FFX is a complex game, and to truly get a handle on the battle systems, and all of the mini-games (and there are SO many!) you need the guide to tell you where to go to do them, and how to do them. Because I promise you, if you try to go it alone you will miss most mini games, and they're often some of the most fun parts, and earn you awesome items!

You also get the visual aspect, as there are lots of truly breath taking images, that showcase the game well. The move to PS2 really did wonders for the series, and Square are eager to show this off. Which equates to a very pretty game guide for you!

Considering you can pick it up fairly cheap now, it really is a good companion guide to let you get the most enjoyment for the game. I always buy game guides, as I'm a bit of a perfectionist and hate missing out on things. And the FF game guides by Piggyback are really thorough gems of guides. I can't recommend this for the gaming enthusiast enough! 

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