1. Final Fantasy X
Yet there is still one game we haven't covered. The game that reaches the top of this list, Final Fantasy X. It features the exploits of Tidus and gang as they journey to find out the truth about virtually everything in the world of Spira. Let's touch on the gameplay first. FFX features a pretty brilliant Conditional Turn-Based (CTB) battle system. It's similar to the older games where your actions are purely turn-based, but it does a bang up job on it. Your characters are very varied in terms of ability and can rotate in and out of battle very easily. It's a fun system. It also features the Sphere Grid upgrade system. You level up through the Sphere Grid and which while linear, can be manipulated to gain whatever ability you want certain characters to learn. Or you could screw up too. For instance, I mistakenly took Yuna down Tidus' path early the first time I played, a slight mistake I rectified later but still suffered for. It provides great incentive to level up too, as you can clearly see what new abilities are ahead to obtain quickly if you so choose, or perhaps an ability you know will help out in a boss battle. But let's get into the story too, since that is a major reason it's listed here alongside its gameplay mechanic. One of the best things about FFX, is how during the loading screen for save files, the tune 'Summoned' is played which also plays in game during Yuna's first summoning cutscene. It's a slight take on how we as the player are being summoned into the game too, to help out Yuna on her quest. This also fits in with Tidus, and how he too is akin to a summon. Another great part of the game is that we see the world of Spira through Tidus' eyes. And being an outsider himself, his experiences mirror our own. It works great for the story. Most of the story is also told as a narrative, which helps flesh it out even more. The story has various themes, ranging from journey, duty, sports, competition, love, family, friends, loss, sacrifice, adapting, politics, religion and perhaps more. All of which impact the varying main characters differently, yet it is all still handled superbly. I personally love how the story is fleshed out, with voicework that feels natural, unlike FFXII's dialogue that while awesome, isn't easily relatable. Nor with FFXIII's either, as the dialogue there seems very acted. It comes across as if you could easily be part of the main party; and you would fit in nicely. Not many games give you a sense of actually being part of the game's world. FFX does a brilliant job at that. It still remains one of my favourite journeys til this day and its bittersweet conclusion is still one of gaming's best endings. Tidus' evolution through the game and Yuna's constant struggles are still some of the best character developments present in gaming, coupled together with the rest of the main party who all have their reasons to be there, primary of which is to protect Yuna. It's a great experience that's hard to forget or top.