Yuji Horii Declares Final Fantasy X 'Ultimate Perfection'

Gaming luminary Yuji Horii, the visionary creator behind the iconic Dragon Quest series, has bestowed the highest praise upon Square's seminal 2001 RPG, Final Fantasy X. In a recent interview, Horii unequivocally declared Final Fantasy X to be "ultimate perfection" upon its original release, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of one of gaming's most influential developers as he reflected on a pivotal era for the genre.

Horii's Perspective on RPG Evolution

While the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest franchises are often perceived as direct competitors, Horii himself revealed a more nuanced perspective during an exchange with Game Informer. Prior to the historic merger of Square and Enix, Horii explained that he didn't necessarily view Final Fantasy as a "rival." He acknowledged being "definitely paying attention" to the series from its earliest days, recognizing it as a significant force in the industry that demanded observation.

The key distinction for Horii lay in the fundamental approach to protagonist portrayal. He noted that Final Fantasy titles historically feature eloquent, speaking protagonists, positioning the player more as an observer. In stark contrast, the core philosophy of Dragon Quest has always been to immerse the player directly, making them "the protagonist themselves." This foundational difference, according to Horii, mitigated a direct competitive dynamic, despite both being monumental RPG experiences.

The "Ultimate Perfection" of Final Fantasy X

Despite these differing design philosophies, Horii's admiration for Final Fantasy remained clear, particularly when discussing its tenth mainline installment. "I do like Final Fantasy, though," he stated, before elaborating on his profound reaction to FFX. He vividly recalled his initial encounter with the game, describing a feeling of witnessing something truly extraordinary. For Horii, Final Fantasy X represented the pinnacle of what the series could achieve, embodying a complete and refined vision that resonated deeply with the industry veteran. It was this specific title, released in 2001, that he singled out as achieving "ultimate perfection."