Final Fantasy X-2

"FFX-2: A True Sequal"

Introduction
In case you might be wondering, I have indeed played this game, well the Japanese one, I'm getting the English one when it comes out. So this review is based on the Japanese version and I understand little to no Japanese but I'm a huge Final Fantasy fan and loved Final Fantasy X and just had to get this game when it came out in Japan.

Final Fantasy X-2 is a sequel from Final Fantasy X and continues the story of Final Fantasy X. Final Fantasy X-2 takes place two years after Final Fantasy X and I would recommend watching the Eternal Calm video that explains why Final Fantasy X-2 is happening. Final Fantasy X-2 follows Yuna this time around and shows her part of the story as in Final Fantasy X was Tidus' story. Yuna has joined a Sphere Hunting group called the Gullwings where she has joined up with her cousin, Rikku and a new character to the world of Spira, Paine. Kimahri finds a sphere that contains an image of someone that looks like Tidus and gives it to Rikku who then shows it to Yuna, of course Yuna wants to find out what it all means and that is the main reason for Final Fantasy X-2.

Gameplay
Final Fantasy X-2 changes the gameplay from the one used in Final Fantasy X. This time around, the battle system is ATB based, meaning that there really is no more waiting but there is a wait mode but I had problem using this because of what I said above. Your characters this time will move around in battle now, you won't see Yuna attack and go back to her original spot anymore, depending on what the enemy is but the characters move around in battle. Another new thing is the Dresspheres that accompany the characters. It's something like the Job System from Final Fantasy V I believe. You gain dressphere's from different places during the game, the first ones you start off with are a Gunner for Yuna, Warrior for Paine and Thief for Rikku. With all the different dresspheres come different costumes, some stunning effects can be seen as you change dresspheres and outfits. Dressphere's play an important role in battle as you can't just keep to one throughout the entire game. Different Dresspheres will give you more HP and MP and some will give you less, if you have a white mage in your party, you will have someone who can heal your party while having a Warrior in your party means you have someone that can go on the attack and this is how you have to plan out your battles and some quick thinking is needed in some battles. The old leveling up is still in this game so the luxury of being able to go where ever you want to from the beginning of the game is a big factor as if you follow the Active Links (the links to follow to get the main story) then you may reach a battle you can't win because your character's levels are too low and therefore your HP and MP may be too low, however, you can go somewhere else in Spira that is available and get in some random battles to level up your characters. Also new to Final Fantasy X-2 that hasn't been in previous Final Fantasy games is the new Mission Based system. You are given missions to complete within Chapters of the game. (Chapters is in the English version, while the Japanese version had Story Levels) By following the Active Links (The Japanese name, they will be called Hot Spots in the English version) you will compete the Chapters. There are about 5 chapters in total but this game is full of side quest which I will talk about later on. Other then that, that is basically the gameplay covered.
My Rating: 10/10

Story
It's really hard to talk about the story without saying something that might be considered a spoiler but I'll give it a try but I will talk about what is in the Eternal Calm video. The main story of Final Fantasy X-2 is Yuna searching for ''him'' the man she lost two years ago. Groups have sprang up all over Spira, the Youth League, New Yevon and The Machine Faction, these groups are led by Nooj, who lost his leg and arm in a battle with Sin and I believe he has some kind of past with Paine as well and he is in charge of the Youth League and his followers call him Myven Nooj, Myven is suppose to mean leader I think. Baralai, who is in charge of New Yevon and Gippel, who is in charge of The Machine Faction. Only New Yevon and the Youth League are rivals as the Machine Faction is a group of Al Bhed who search and salvage old Machina, now known as Machines. All these groups are trying to find a way to make Spira a better place but Yuna fears that one group may do things their way and it won't be the best for Spira, she doesn't know if any of the groups are doing the right thing but she keeps telling herself that what she is doing now, is the right thing to do. Wakka and Lulu are together now, Kimahri is on Mount Gagazet, teaching young Ronso's whatever they teach, Rikku is traveling around Spira, teaching the people of Spira how to use machines and she visits Besaid here and there. Yuna is living in Besaid now and a lot of people want to see her and ask for her advice. She is probably the biggest name throughout Spira. For the last two years, she has missed ''him'' and is just going about her life, not knowing what to do or if she will ever see ''him'' again. She just does what she does and doesn't argue about it, she is still thinking about other people's happiness ahead of hers but it all soon changes. Rikku makes another one of her visits to Besaid and Yuna and Wakka board her ship. Rikku explains that Kimahri found a sphere on Mount Gagazet and she shows it to Yuna and Wakka. Someone that looks like Tidus and sounds just like him is seen in the sphere but not clearly, casting doubt in the viewers mind, is it Tidus or not? You'll have to play Final Fantasy X-2 to find that out I'm afraid. Wakka questions it right away, wondering is it him or not and why he is there. Wakka tells everyone that they should find out more information before going ahead with any other plans. Someone from the Youth League is also on the boat and says they will ask their leader if they can gather the information for Yuna, hoping she will join them if they help. Rikku starts explaining that she wants Yuna to go, she explains that every time she visits Besaid, she sees everyone is going for their dreams, everyone is catching their dreams but not Yuna, every time Rikku goes to Besaid, Yuna's dreams are always on hold. Wakka tries to explain that she just can't go but Rikku doesn't really care for the excuses. Wakka asks Yuna and she thinks that she'll disappoint everyone if she goes until she remembers something that Tidus once said. ''What's the point of pretending to be grown up if the things I want to say never get said? How am I suppose to change anything?'' and after remember the words he said, she decides to go, Wakka says he'll get Lulu but Yuna wants to go now and Rikku and Yuna go. Rikku also gives Yuna a new costume because she is a big celebrity in Spira now, that explains why she is wearing different clothes this time around.
My Rating: 9/10

Graphics
The graphics look better then in Final Fantasy X, the environment looks a lot sharper, as do the characters. The graphics during the changing of dresspheres is beautiful and worthy of a Final Fantasy title. The only problem with the graphics are when you see someone speaking but it's not a close up and it just looks like the mouth is moving but not to the words that are being said but this is a small flaw compared the graphics when you see someone speak with the lips moving and everything else that is needed. The enemies look good to along with the backgrounds while your in battle. All in all, the graphics are improved from Final Fantasy X but both games have splendid graphics.
My Rating: 8/10

Music/Sound
The music in the game may not be on par with Final Fantasy X but it is deffently good. There's more of a pop tune to Final Fantasy X-2 as you will see from the opening sequence. The two main songs are Real Emotion and 1000 Words, both performed by Koda Kumi for the Japanese version while Jade from Sweetbox will perform the songs in English for the English version. Some people will say the Japanese version of Real Emotion is better but I believe that is because it was the first one they heard and came to love and some may not want it translated it into English, because of the parts both songs play in the game, I believe it needed to be translated into English or neither song may of made sence to the general gamer. The other music in the game is great from what I experienced and fitted well into the game.

Voice acting, I still have trouble seeing the Japanese VA is better then the English VA. But I love the English VA and am happy with it in English. Everyone returns from Final Fantasy X to reprise their role in Final Fantasy X-2. Yuna, Wakka, Lulu, Rikku, Kimahri, etc... and they all do a great job and their voices suit their characters, but it would of been strange if someone else did the voice of Yuna for Final Fantasy X-2 if it wasn't Hedy Burresss. I just fill it is harder to moan about the voices now because it wouldn't make sense to bring in a new voice actress for Yuna or any of the other characters. Paine's voice seems to be liked by some and not by others. I personally like what I've heard but it is easier to hear a voice when you see the person speaking but I'm more then happy with the English VA for Final Fantasy X-2.
My Rating: 9/10

Replayablity
Final Fantasy X-2 has tremendous replayablity in it. First there is multiple endings that may make you play the game through again to see but the best new feature is New Game+ with this option, you can finish the game and keep items and some other stuff from your first game and start the game over again, however, your levels will be back down to 1 again. There are a ton of side quests to go through so if you don't want to play them on your first try then just do them when you want to play the game again.
My Rating: 9/10

Final Recommendation
I highly recommend this game, if you played Final Fantasy X and loved it then you have to get this game, it explains the very ending of Final Fantasy X and every question who asked once Final Fantasy X was over. The only problem some people have had is with the all female cast and the skimpy outfits they were, but if you aren't as low as some of these people, you will see the full potential of Final Fantasy X-2 and get great enjoyment out of it.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/11/03