FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster Switch 2 Review – Speed, Style, and Spira

FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster Switch 2 Review

The Switch 2 isn’t the most powerful console on the market. But, it is the most powerful Nintendo console to date. And that means ports that were previously kind of dodgy are now total locks. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster, a PS4 release compiling two PS2 games, is ready to run problem-free on Nintendo hardware. And I’m pleased to report that it runs like a dream on the Switch 2. Okay, but does that matter? Is this worth your time and/or money?

The HD Remaster collection takes two exemplary final fantasy titles and gives them a hi-def facelift. The textures are cleaned up and crisp, and the music has been upgraded. There are also a handful of modern mechanical touches, for gamers unaccustomed to the brutal pace of turn-based battles. Finally, the collection includes a couple of bonus features for both games, some in-game cutscenes that help flesh out the overarching narrative.

Like A Doll’s Eyes

While I’m mostly on board with the improved visuals, there are a couple of problems. We were just learning about lifelike 3D character models in 2001. So having the eyes rigged separately from the face was a cool innovation in 480i on a CRT. But now, in HD, characters get this ‘digital doll’ look. Tidus will, on occasion, resemble a children’s toy come to life. It is very unsettling. Also, the NPCs have paws as opposed to fingers. It’s very easy to distinguish a major character from a minor one, in that the minor characters do not look finished. It’s pretty off-putting at first. You mostly get used to it, though.

I loved the arranged soundtrack, but I also love the original score. Both versions are complex, emotional, and essential components of the games. A substantial portion of my nostalgic attachment to X/X-2 is tied up in the soundtrack. This world just doesn’t feel as melancholic and death-obsessed without these incredible songs. To that end, I can’t say for certain whether the arranged version offers a significant improvement over the original. Both are excellent, but neither one is obviously superior.

Time To Go Turbo Mode

Turn-based battles in old 3D final Fantasy games can be a pretty merciless grind. Thankfully the HD Remaster versions have a few much-needed fixes. You can crank up the game speed (excluding cutscenes) to 2x or 4x at your leisure. You can also turn off encounters and boost your stats. It’s a real boon, especially if you just need to backtrack through a dungeon for a single item. Or maybe you’re looking to do some high speed grinding for sphere levels. The point is, you’ve got options where you previously had none, which I greatly appreciate.

I’m glossing over a bunch of major and minor additions. X-2 has a bunch of extra content. New dress spheres, new bosses, and new sphere grids. Both games have changes to cutscenes, character models, vocal tracks, and mechanics. The big question then, is why get this collection for the Switch 2? It’s already come out on the PS4, the PC, and the original Switch.

Crazy That It Took This Long

It turns out none of those other versions have the game speed/stat-maxxing mechanics that this one does. While it’s inconceivable that such an essential fix was missing for so long, it’s amazing that it finally exists. Yes, the upgraded music and visuals are lovely. But being able to zip through all those random battles (or turn them off!) is a total game changer. Every retro RPG remaster needs this feature. What better way to experience all that awesome new content, than by zipping through the grindy bits?

X and X-2 are amazing games. The HD Remaster collection is the perfect way to experience them again. We’ve also gotten this gift several times over the last decade or so. So a shined-up version of a couple of classics is a tough sell. But those convenient mechanical tweaks are a huge bonus. I’ve got other versions of this collection already. But the Switch 2 version will be the new standard, thanks to those fixes. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to play these games again, high speed random battles, stat-maxxing, and optional encounters might be just what you need. This version of the Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is the best one yet.

***A Nintendo Switch 2 code was provided by the publisher***