Final Fantasy X is a role-playing game that is the tenth main installment in the Final Fantasy series and uses a turn-based battle system called Conditional Turn-Based Battle system. In addition to that, the Sphere Grid is used to upgrade characters, allowing them to delve into more than just predefined roles.
The game doesn't use a traditional world map system, instead opting to let the player choose their destination from a map and instantly arriving there. The areas themselves are standard maps, with offbeat paths that lead to treasure chests. Players will be able to visit most locations they have previously visited during the game.
Battle System
Enemies are encountered randomly while roaming around the maps, and the battle system is turn-based, although it isn't like the traditional turn-based systems. Dubbed the Conditional Turn-Based Battle System, a turn order is shown on the right side of the screen that dictates the initial order characters/enemies go in. Action stops while the player decides what to do with that character.
However, this turn order isn't set in stone, as it is the character/enemy's speed that dictates how many turns they will get. For example, Quick Hit is an ability that allows the character to perform an attack and recover quickly, making it so they may perform another action before the enemy. With abilities like the above, it is possible for enemies or characters to be able to attack two or more times in a row.
Sphere Grid
The Sphere Grid is the upgrading system used for characters in the game. It is a series of connecting nodes that are split into sections that contains the abilities and attributes used to power up characters. These sections each highlight one of the characters in the game and contain abilities and stats catered to them, with an example being Rikku's section focusing on HP and Agility.
For every character that takes a turn in battle, they will receive Ability Points (AP) at the end. Once enough AP has been earned, that character will gain a Sphere Level (S.LV). Sphere Levels are required to move along the Sphere Grid and in order to activate nodes, the player will need some sort of sphere, with them providing various benefits.
| Type of Sphere | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Red Spheres | Activates stat nodes |
| Key Spheres | Unlocks node of corresponding level |
| Purple Spheres | Fills empty nodes with stat nodes |
| Yellow Spheres | Activates nodes that have been activated by another character |
| Light Blue Spheres | Teleports character around Sphere Grid |
| Clear Spheres | Remove stat node and negate that stat bonus |
Equipment
Equipment in Final Fantasy X is standard fare, but once the player reaches a certain point in the story, they will be able to customize them via Auto Abilities. Some equipment already has a few Auto Abilities on them, but the rest can be customized by adding them. Sometimes, adding these Auto Abilities to weapons or armor will change their name or appearance.
Minigames
There are a variety of minigames to be found as the player adventures throughout the game. These include the bigger ones like Blitzball and Monster Arena, to smaller ones like Lightning Dodge and Butterfly Catcher. As the player completes these, they will get plenty of rewards, some of which are the strongest weapons in the game.
International Version
The International version of Final Fantasy X was first released in Japan on January 31, 2002, in Japan and on May 24, 2002, in Europe. This version is the same story-wise, but it added a few things not in the original. Changes include an Expert Sphere Grid, which changes the positioning of where characters start, allowing for more customization.
Additionally, more bosses were added in the International version of the game, with dark versions of all of the Aeons. These Dark Aeons appear throughout the game, some of which block previously friendly locations. Once all of them are defeated, the player gains access to a fight with the game's superboss, Penance.
