35. Final Fantasy X (PS2)
Tapping the power of the then-new Playstation 2, Squaresoft brought its signature series to a whole new level of visual splendor with Final Fantasy X. This was my very first PS2 game, and I was literally blown away by the graphics (which seriously sucked because I had to hike several days to get back home when I just wanted to finish the damn game). This level of graphical detail along with voice acting (a series first!) made it feel like I was playing a movie at the time. I've rarely been so engrossed by the story of a game, which is quite a feat as it centers on a whiny soccer player with daddy issues. While I'm not in the We Hate FFXIII brigade, I do worry the series' increasing emphasis on cinematic elements has begun to compromise content, but the world in FFX - though streamlined - still feels plenty big and alive. Why, it even has towns! And quite a few diversions to boot, chief amongst them the massive timesink that is blitzball. But the core gameplay is really where it's at, with a revamped battle system that is entirely turn-based (so long, ATB!) and what is easily the most brilliant and engaging leveling system in the series to date. Most impressively of all, Zipperboy Nomura actually managed to make a cool character for once, albeit only by ripping off Toshiro Mifune wholesale (something I am 100% okay with).
