Final Fantasy X-2

"Butt-kicking for goodness x 3"

This review is based on the PAL version

Introduction

It's easy to be dismissive of Final Fantasy X-2. It's a sequel to a Final fantasy and holds the distinction of being the very first in the series' lengthy history to depart from the traditional norm. It has sex appeal; you are in control of 3 sassy butt-kicking gals whose roles, as seen by some critics, are to delight the ''mainstream'' hot-blooded males out there in a Lara Croft-style fashion but in actuality, reflects the shift in tone towards the much freer world of Spira. Some may see it as a sacrilage that Yuna, as a reserved and respectable girl in FFX, should bare so much leg and bum for the gamers and seem totally out of character. It's been two years since Sin's defeat and it shouldn't come as a surprise that as the world has changed, so has Yuna herself. As a more pro-active heroine in this installment, we see a much more relaxed adventure being played out that whilst it is indeed more light-hearted and jolly, doesn't reject the familiar qualities of the old Yuna. In comparison, FFX-2's new mission-based quest progression is more non-linear in comparison to the suffocating nature of FFX's linearity. As with its predecessor, there is no world map and it's really not needed given the focus on gameplay. Anyway, 11 months after the original Japanese release, PAL gamers can now experience a new Final Fantasy and so, how does it fare in a world filled chock full with RPGs?

Basic Story

The story begins, in fact, with the Eternal Calm sequence that is packaged with the PAL version of Unlimited SaGa or given as a gift with the December issue of OP2M in the states. Yuna, with the title of High Summoner, still recides in Besaid and her life still involves helping out and counselling people with trouble on their minds. Rikku delievers a mysterious sphere that was found on Mt. Gagazet which shows a recording of a prisoner that seems so familiar... and prompts Yuna on a quest to seek out the meaning of this sphere and the secrets that it holds. She becomes a sphere hunter along with Rikku and newcomer Paine as a Gullwing and so begins Yuna’s story…

Gameplay

FFX-2 sees the return of the ATB (Active Time Battle) system and replaces FFX's completely turned-based system. Although we are essentially seeing an old tried-and-tested formula being re-implemented back into the series, what is darn good about it is that it is an improvement on those from the older installments. It is no longer the case of merely seeing each character/monster take their turn individually as was the case in all the previous games, it is now possible for turns to be taken simultaneously i.e Rikku attack Flan whilst a hound bites Yuna, or Paine and Rikku attack a monster immediate after each other to create chain attacks. The ATB is more spontaneous and less plodding than before thanks to an overhaul.

To those unfamiliar with the earlier Final Fantasy games, the idea behind the dressphere system - the opportunity to adopt a job/class and learn skills, spells and traits from them - isn't a new concept. The job system, last seen (the numbered series-wise) in FFV makes a more than welcome return to the series. And it's not just tacked on either; not only do you have the chance to develop your characters how you want, you can now change jobs during the battle thanks to the new Garment Grid system used to support the dresspheres. As with the ATB system, this creates a more spontaneous experience for the gamer. Being able to change tactics in the heat of battle is a whole bundle of fun. With the job system, you pick one of a selection (examples: Warrior, black mage, white mage, thief and so on) and be able to select which skill you would like that character to learn by earning AP through participating in battles. The decision in deciding WHAT you want to learn, when you want to learn it and be able to interchange between various jobs means that you are fashioning and dictating your own character development.

The mission-based system – More often than not, the optional missions you undertake have nothing to do with the main storyline. Looking from a critic’s point of view, you could argue that if that’s the case, why should you even bother doing them? Well, although they may not complement the main plot, they allow you to participate in events that affect the people and places of Spira and shows that your own quest is not the only thing happening in the world.

There is a mixture of new and old side quests too. To illustrate just two examples, Sphere Break is a new number-based coin game that involves multiples. Great fun if you like maths! Blitzball returns with some variation to its play structure to that of FFX, but if you absolutely hated Blitzball in the past game, then there’s very little here to change your mind and there’s more to the management side of things than ever.

Graphics

The game recycles many of the locations, monsters and character models from its predecessor with bits and bobs tacked on. This is by no means a criticism at all; what do you expect from a direct sequel that is set in basically the same world as before? Familiarity in locations is important to the game’s familiarity for gamers that have played Final Fantasy X.

The FMVs are as beautiful as one can expect from them. There are a lot less FMVs this time round which may or may not be a good thing depending on your point of view. Having less FMVs suggests and most certainly indicates that the game focuses more on gameplay and prioritises on that rather than on the graphics itself. One complaint regarding FFX was to do with the fact that you couldn’t skip cut scenes. This is addressed in FFX-2 and for the most part, you can optionally choose to skip most of the cut scenes if you choose to.

For you PAL gamers hoping that there is a 60hz option in this game will be disappointed that Square Enix didn’t include such an option. As with any game, I do stress that you shouldn’t let this issue with big black borders stop you from enjoying said game as, IMO, it’s not worth getting angry over what you see as a typical poor conversion.

VA

Voice acting is a returning feature that was first introduced in FFX. From the old cast, Hedy Buress (Yuna) and Tara Strong (Rikku) has more dialogue than the rest of the old gang. In FFX, people often commented on the stilted and almost wooden nature of Buress’s VA. This time though, she seems to be far more confident in her role as Yuna and as a result, she sounds more believable and convincing and in that, gives Yuna a new dimension. Strong’s bubbly portrayal of Rikku is spot on as her character retains the cheerful aspect from that of FFX. Newcomer Gwendolyn Yeo plays the cool Paine with subtlety that has a sharp and sarcastic tone that fits with the cynical nature of her character.

Length

Given the fact the over 50% of the game is completely optional, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear people saying that FFX-2 is short in comparison to FFX. Indeed, rushing through the game with complete disregard for the side-quests means that you’ll be missing out of a lot of things that make the game enjoyable. The fact that you’re not forced to do the majority of the stuff that are in this game is a complete blessing. You do what you want to do and that freedom of choice is something that the FF series could certainly do more of in the future. So if you simply concentrate on beating the game, then you have chosen to make it short. It’s as simple as that.

Also for the first time, there are variations on the ending. Depending on how much % you beat of the game and on certain actions you perform, you may be able to see extended versions of the ending. This in itself serves as one incentive to replay the game. And with this in mind, Square Enix have included a New Game Plus option so you can replay the game and try to earn some more % to enable you to take a grasp towards a better ending. Yes, you can argue that multiple endings and New Game Plus options have been around for a very long time and isn’t original at all, but for the FF series, it certainly displays more awareness on the developer’s part to give the gamers genuine incentives to replay a Final Fantasy game over from the start.

Difficulty

By all means, the game itself isn’t particularly challenging for the most part, but that’s from my own personal experience. The game has a helpful tutorial that you can dip in and out anytime you want. Compulsory monster and boss fights rarely gets to the point of absolute frustration and with the easy to use job system in place, it isn’t hard to change your tactics anytime you want to see things through in a different manner.

Overall

Final Fantasy X-2 is a step away from the traditional Final Fantasy people have grown to love and embrace. Change is a potentially dangerous choice to make and for a series with many a hardcore fan, the response to such change is a vital issue and could make or break the reputation the series have generated over the years. The game represents a first in many: an all-female playable cast, the absence of the traditional victory theme that had been in the series since the beginning, lack of Nobuo Uemetsu (ok, not a first, but other composers are starting to have more increasingly prominent roles and injecting new blood and energy into the Final Fantasy music), New Game Plus and many other factors. In my opinion, this game is a breath of fresh air. It’s nice to see Square Enix make more use the job class system and presenting the game in a more non-linear fashion has made this game one where anyone can dip and dive in for short or long sessions of gameplay however you want it. The funky and poppy tone of the game may put some folks off because of the inevitable cheesiness of some particular scenes or pieces of dialogue and may seem to self-mock or devalue any of the melodramatic tension created in FFX with corny jokes and ditzy scenes, but they certainly didn’t put this reviewer off. A big thumbs up from me!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/19/04