The paths actually let you branch off onto different paths but they are so rare it would be detrimental to do so. With the HD Re-Master, I played with the Expert Grid (previously only available to the international version of FFX) which tries to alleviate this problem, but it still fails. Sure, it LOOKS complex, but the path rarely branches off, and when it does, it does so only for about 3 or 4 attribute points. The only problem is that it's absolutely pointless busy work as all attributes are learned in almost a straight line. You can increase individual stats, learn new abilities, and so on. The Sphere Grid is a.thing? Place? Narratively speaking, I don't know what the Sphere Grid physically is, but it's where you spend XP to level up your characters. Leveling up is so easy in this game, which is done in something called The Sphere Grid. You can swap a character in on the fly (still can't express how cool this feature is) and you can do any action that doesn't end the battle, and they will get XP. It should be noted here that as long as a character made an action, you can level up all 7 of them easily. You also have an Overdrive system, that acts like the Limit Break systems of previous Final Fantasy games, that can do massive damage but needs to be managed as some, NOT ALL, get stronger the more they are used. You also have conversational options for some boss fights that act as buffs and de-buffs. Obviously, you can slow things down when needed, but if you get angry and start mashing attack buttons, the characters will do it. It's remarkably fast for a turn based system. It's one of the most strategic I have EVER seen. I cannot express how good this combat system is. I know that looks like a Gorgon head, but when you fight her, that's technically her butt. It's a great part of this game, fighting a tough boss with very little health due to the Zombie effect, and overcoming it with cunning and adaptability. Cure the status effects she inflicts, and she just kills you outright. She basically forces you to fight her on her terms. A late boss, Lunalesca, is tough as nails if you don't know what to expect. Many of the later bosses demand an understanding of buffs and de-buffs as they can be exploited to take advantage of their weakness or to strip them of their strength. While random battles do get repetitive after a while, the bosses really up the ante and can be quite difficult, especially after the difficulty spike that is Evrae, the guardian of Bevelle. Some.for lack of a better term, are blobs of goo that have a high defense to everything except a certain magic element. Some fly and can only be hit with ranged attacks and magic. Some are armored and need a heavy hitting character. Some enemies can only be defeated with speed. You can switch party members in and out of combat, something no other Final Fantasy at the time would allow you to do, so you can deal with various enemies strengths and weaknesses. (Yes, I'm saying this games combat system was better than my 3rd favorite game of all time's combat system). Unlike previous Final Fantasy games, FFX ditched the Active Time Battle thing for a traditional turn based system. That is how I found my beloved Persona series. This combat system is so good, I went on a mission to find a game that uses something similar.
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