Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Final Fantasy X/X-2 Ultimate Box delivers two very different but equally engaging JRPG experiences in one package. Final Fantasy X’s turn-based Conditional Turn-Based Battle (CTB) system remains satisfying, blending strategic planning with dynamic timing. The trademark Sphere Grid unlock system allows you to customize characters in diverse ways, encouraging experimentation in party builds. With the Ultimate Hits release built in, you also gain access to expert modes and additional challenges that deepen the combat loop.

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Final Fantasy X-2 shifts gears dramatically, offering a more fast-paced, action-oriented battle system driven by the Dressphere job-changing mechanic. Swapping roles mid-battle keeps encounters fresh, and chain-combos reward precise timing. Side quests and hidden bosses continue to push your skills, while dressphere upgrades unlock potent abilities that add another layer of strategy.

The inclusion of the bonus DVD “Final Fantasy Another Story” enriches the gameplay experience by filling narrative gaps between X and X-2. Watching new animated sequences helps you understand key character motivations and contextualizes events you’ll face in X-2. Whether you’re replaying these classics or discovering them for the first time, the Ultimate Box’s extras and quality-of-life tweaks make both adventures more accessible and replayable than ever.

Graphics

While this Ultimate Box compiles the original PlayStation 2 releases, the visual design of both games still impresses. In Final Fantasy X, you’ll traverse lush jungles, sun-drenched temples, and vibrant towns rendered in beautiful stylized realism. Character models, especially the iconic Aeons, retain their dramatic silhouettes and evocative animations even at native resolution.

Final Fantasy X-2 lightens the palette considerably, embracing a brighter, pop-inspired aesthetic. Costume designs are bold and colorful, perfectly reflecting the game’s upbeat tone. Although the textures lack modern high-definition clarity, the art direction is timeless—every setting feels alive and distinctive, from Spira’s serene beaches to the neon-lit streets of Luca.

The “Another Story” bonus DVD adds high-quality animated cinematics that seamlessly bridge the two games. These pre-rendered cutscenes showcase lavish backgrounds and fluid character motion, offering a glimpse of what a modern remaster might look like. Overall, the package’s visuals hold up well, and the duality between X’s serious realism and X-2’s vibrant style remains a highlight.

Story

Final Fantasy X tells an emotionally resonant tale of faith, sacrifice, and the struggle against an unstoppable force known as Sin. You follow Yuna and her guardians on a pilgrimage across the world of Spira, uncovering secrets about their world’s cycle of destruction. Character arcs feel earned, and pivotal scenes—like the climax in Zanarkand—remain among the most memorable in the series.

The bonus DVD “Final Fantasy Another Story” fills in narrative blanks, exploring what happens after Yuna’s pilgrimage and before X-2’s pop concert–style opening. This extra lore not only deepens your attachment to returning characters but also sets the stage for the tonal shift in the sequel. Fans who wondered about the aftermath will find satisfying answers here.

Final Fantasy X-2 takes you two years later into a post-Sin Spira, where Yuna returns as a sphere hunter alongside Rikku and newcomer Paine. The story balances lighter, adventurous moments with darker undercurrents about identity and purpose. Though the tone diverges sharply from its predecessor, the trilogy-bridging narrative achieves a unique charm and sense of continuity.

Overall Experience

The Final Fantasy X/X-2 Ultimate Box is a must-have for collectors and series aficionados. Packaging both Ultimate Hits versions together with the “Another Story” DVD creates an all-in-one definitive PS2 set that was, until now, only available in Japan. The box feels like a love letter to long-time fans, complete with Japanese language options and cherished extras.

Importing the Ultimate Box can pose region-locking challenges for standard PS2 consoles, but the payoff is substantial: you gain exclusive content not found in international releases. Even without HD upgrades, the classic gameplay, art direction, and storytelling stand the test of time. It’s a rare opportunity to own the full experience exactly as it was envisioned for the Japanese market.

Whether you’re revisiting Spira or stepping into it for the first time, the Ultimate Box offers dozens of hours of compelling gameplay, memorable characters, and cinematic moments. The combination of two distinct RPGs and bonus narrative media makes this compilation one of the most comprehensive ways to experience Final Fantasy X and X-2’s intertwined sagas. Fans looking for depth, nostalgia, and value will find little to fault here.

Retro Replay Score

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