Saturday, June 9, 2018
JRPG Appreciation Post Final Fantasy Xs Sphere Grid
JRPG Appreciation Post Final Fantasy Xs Sphere Grid
Final Fantasy X was a notable change in Final Fantasys direction, with areas and visuals being beautifully upgraded when compared to its predecessors and voice acting being added for the first time. I loved the games story, but with this game being my first big kid JRPG (when compared to something like Pokemon that I played as a kid), the Sphere Grid system was a breath of fresh air from the grind and level up formula I was so used to. Many years and many JPRGs later, I know its not the only skill tree type leveling system around, but these are a few reasons why it remains one of my favourite leveling mechanics of all time.
Its Linear, Yet You Have Control
For the most part, once the sphere grid is completed, youll end up with the same stat increases across all your characters, just at a different pace due to the different starting points of the sphere grid. But even though youre bound to the same skills and stats, you do have control over the order you get them. Thanks to Level spheres, you can break the locks that make the standard sphere grid so linear as soon as you get one. This allows you to turn Auron into a mage for awhile or make Yuna a combat beast early on in the game and can make for a very different gameplay experience to the easy path set out. This welcome choice makes leveling much more interesting and creates an importance in choosing the right stats for the right point in the game. I usually find myself following the main path (the one not closed off by locks), but I love that point after finishing the main story of breaking into another characters grid and sharing their abilities with another character.
Its Huge and The Whole Process Is Kinda Intricate
With all the level blocks, ability and character placements around the board, completing the Sphere Grid isnt a small feat. And beyond that, limit break (that awesome ability that allows you to deal over 9999 damage) isnt even on the board, adding an important extra step! Even if you goal isnt to complete the Sphere Grid, the sheer size of the sphere grid is just enough to show the amount of stats on the board and its long journey encourages much grinding and strategy to get as much EXP as possible and as many sphere levels as possible. Then theres going back and filling in the empty nodes with even more stats by using Teleport spheres!
Even Though It Takes Forever, Its Still Fun To Watch The Characters Progress
Each unlocked node or stat shows you exactly what has been upgraded to your character. I love unlocking a stat and noticing the effect immediately in battle. A little bit of extra strength can go a long way, as can an ability or a little HP. Other games leveling mechanics just show you a quick summary of your characters improves but in the sphere grid, because you unlock it yourself, youre way more involved and its awesome.
_______________________________________________________________
Feel like a trip down memory lane but in beautiful HD? You can buy Final Fantasy X HD from Play-Asia.com!
Whats your favourite JRPG levelling system? Leave it in the comments below, I may just play with it!
Did you this type of post? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter and Ill do more of them!
Thanks for stopping by and make sure to follow @JRPGJungle on Twitter for updates on content and random, shorter musings on JRPG news and games!
Note: This article does contain an affiliate links to Play-Asia to help support this site. You can read our Affiliate Link Policy here.
alternative link download
