Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster
High-definition remaster of two classic Final Fantasy titles.
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is a 2013 compilation of high-definition remasters of Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2, developed and published by Square Enix. It includes content from the International versions of both games and a new audio drama set after X-2, and was ported to multiple platforms over several years.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Square Enix 1st Production Department, Virtuos
- Publisher
- Square Enix
- Series
- Final Fantasy
- Engine
- PhyreEngine
- Platforms
- PlayStation 3
- PlayStation Vita
- PlayStation 4
- Windows
- Nintendo Switch
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Genre
- Role-playing
- Modes
- Single-player
- Producer
- Yoshinori Kitase
Facts from the source article.
Content
The HD remaster includes Final Fantasy X and its sequel X-2. Final Fantasy X follows teenager Tidus, who is transported to Spira after encountering the creature Sin, and becomes a guardian for summoner Yuna on a pilgrimage to defeat Sin. Its combat uses the Conditional Turn-Based Battle system, allowing party member swaps mid-battle, and character progression occurs via the Sphere Grid. Final Fantasy X-2, set two years after X, features Yuna as a treasure hunter seeking spheres that may lead to Tidus. It reintroduces the job system through the Garment Grid, where dresspheres grant different abilities and can be changed in battle. X-2 includes minigames such as Sphere Break and blitzball, the latter also prominent in X. The games received extensive graphical updates, and much of X's music was rearranged. All regional releases include International version content: X has the expert Sphere Grid and optional bosses, while X-2 adds extra dresspheres, new minigames, and the Creature Creator system, which lets players capture and train monsters and NPCs to fight alongside the party, similar to Pokémon. X-2 also includes the 'Last Mission' extra dungeon, a roguelike 3D game with randomly generated grid-based layouts where opponents get as many turns as the player has taken. The Eternal Calm movie bridging X and X-2 is included. Cross-platform saving is supported between PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 4 versions, and both games have shared trophy lists across those platforms.
Development
The remaster idea came from a reunion of the original development team and voice cast during work on Final Fantasy Type-0. Character designer Tetsuya Nomura, associate producer Hideki Imaizumi, and a voice actor felt they should create something for X's tenth anniversary. Producer Yoshinori Kitase wanted younger players to experience the games, as his son only knew Tidus and Yuna from Dissidia Final Fantasy. Another reason was that many could not play the originals due to incompatibility with most PlayStation 3 models and their absence from the PlayStation Network. Nomura negotiated with former staff and got approval for the remaster, but development was delayed because the team was busy with Final Fantasy XIII. The remaster was announced at Tokyo Game Show 2011, assumed to release for X's tenth anniversary. Most remastering work was outsourced to Virtuos in Shanghai. Square Enix's internal staff reassembled original assets and helped redo high-definition data. Returning original team members included Motomu Toriyama, Yusuke Naora, Toshitaka Matsuda, and Masaki Kobayashi, who supervised production. X-2 art director Shintaro Takai remained in that role for both remastered games. Virtuos managing director Pan Feng headed the Chinese side. The team faced problems porting the games to PlayStation 3 and Vita because the graphics used many PlayStation 2-specific functions. Loss and repair of some original assets posed another hurdle; Kitase noted it might have been easier to recreate the data from scratch.
Release
Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster arrived on PlayStation 3 as a single collection, while the PlayStation Vita got each game sold separately. In Japan, a Twin Pack offered both Vita titles together, and a Resolution Box added the handheld console itself. Cartridge storage limits prevented a dual release on Vita. Play Arts Kai figurines of Tidus and Yuna were made, and the original soundtracks saw a re-release. Two new Ultimania guide books came out for the games. Kazushige Nojima wrote the novel Final Fantasy X-2.5: Eien no Daishō, which connects Last Mission to Final Fantasy X: Will. North America got a Collector's Edition of the PS3 version exclusively through Square Enix's online store, packing both games, an art book, a Blu-ray of the rearranged soundtrack, and five art lithographs. A launch event at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, California in March 2014 featured a signing with Kitase and Naora, plus an art auction whose proceeds went to Typhoon Haiyan victims. The PlayStation 4 port, which allowed save transfers from PS3 and Vita and remote play on Vita, launched worldwide in May 2015. The Windows version hit Steam on May 12, 2016, adding 4K support, five game boosters, three parameter changes, audio volume options, the ability to skip FMVs, and an auto-save feature. Nintendo Switch and Xbox One versions came out on April 16, 2019, with audio volume options and 4K on Xbox; the Switch version brought back the Quick Recovery feature from the Vita releases, using the touch screen in Handheld Mode. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is set for July 23, 2026, offering higher resolution and the booster toggles previously exclusive to the Windows port.
Reception
The remaster received favorable reviews. On Metacritic, the Vita version scored 86/100, the PS3 version 85/100, the PS4 version 84/100, and the PC version 83/100. IGN's Meghan Sullivan said the game 'looks and sounds dramatically better' despite showing its roots, but critiqued some textures, facial close-ups, and lip-synching issues from the original. GameSpot's Josiah Renaudin called the visual upgrades 'compelling reasons to revisit' the series, though he found uneven graphical upgrades between player characters and NPCs jarring. Destructoid's Dale North praised the upgrade but said the fixed camera had not aged well and some detailed aspects lacked thorough HD treatment. Game Informer's Kimberley Wallace noted character movements betrayed the game's age. GamesRadar's Ashley Reed found environments better-looking but characters 'oddly doll-like' with graphical limitations from the original, fewer in X-2. Digital Spy's Mark Langshaw praised the upgrade but noted framerate dips and 'ropey' animations, and that X-2's character models were better updated. VideoGamer.com's Daniel Cairns was highly positive despite some awkward moments. NowGamer's Ryan King praised the Vita version's updates. Renaudin and Wallace noted some dated textures stood out more on Vita.
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