Final Fantasy X-2

"Complete awkwardness overshadows what is potentially a good plot and gameplay system"

Introduction
Final Fantasy X-2 (pronounced ten-two, mind you). It's a lot of Final Fantasy firsts. The first “true” sequel in the series. The first all-girl Final Fantasy. The first Final Fantasy to only have three playable characters. The first Final Fantasy in a long time in which none of your characters summon monsters. Needless to say, Square-Enix took a lot of risks when making the game. In truth, they did a decent job. But the Charlie's Angels atmosphere added so much absurdity that it took away from the game.

Warning: If you haven't beaten Final Fantasy X, you may want to stay clear of this review. While I will do my best to keep the review void of FFX-2 spoilers, I cannot promise to omit FFX spoilers that are vital to the story of FFX-2.

Storyline (7/10)
For those that don't know, there is an extra scene at the end of Final Fantasy X: International called the “Eternal Calm.” The basic point of the “Eternal Calm” is that Rikku comes to find Yuna on Besaid and tells her that Kimahri found a sphere of Tidus, or at least someone who looks like him. Then, Yuna embarks on a journey to find him. The new scene also introduces the new character Yaibal, as well as announcing that Wakka and Lulu are married, and Lulu is pregnant. What is interesting is that Square-Enix expected those who had never played the international version to know this at the start of the game. You do get to watch the sphere Kimahri found, but it is completely optional and none of the characters mention that you actually should watch it.

Anyway, the game takes place two years after the FFX crew defeated Sin. Yuna, Rikku, (clad in new, much more revealing clothing) Brother, and three new characters – Paine, Shinra, and Buddy have formed a group of sphere hunters, known as the Gullwings. The point of sphere hunting is basically to find spheres and make money off of them, or to use them as clothes (explained in the Gameplay section). Your main opponent at the beginning of the game is the Leblanc Syndicate, which is basically a group of sphere hunting thieves.

After playing the game for half an hour, I was almost tempted to stop playing. FFX truly was a good game, and it is being destroyed by this garbage?! Why has the once-reserved Yuna – the only High Summoner to ever truly defeat Sin – resorted to going around the world, getting spheres, in slutty clothes? Why are the villains so lame? Why are Brother and Rikku more annoying than ever? Since when did Yuna becoming such an expert with guns (still trying to figure that one out…)? Is this really a Final Fantasy game?

You, too, will probably get these feelings, especially if you love the epic quests in Final Fantasy IV and VI. But if you keep playing, you will soon discover that FFX-2's story is actually has some depth to it.

The Gullwings soon discover the Awesome Sphere (lame name, yes, but go along with it). This very valuable sphere must go into the hands of either the Youth League or New Yevon. You see, after the FFX crew defeated Yu Yevon, the people of Spira looked for a new place to belong. Thus, were born three political parties: the Youth League (a “radical” political group appealing to young members – including old FFX friends Lucil and Elma – and led by Mevyn Nooj), New Yevon (the more “conservative” political group, that still find the temples and Yevon-esque things of the like sacred, led by Praetor Baralai), and the Machine Faction (a primarily Al Bhed organization devoted to machines, led by Gippal, and who seem to have no interest in the Awesome Sphere).

The Awesome Sphere, in fact, shows Tidus (or at least someone who looks like him) possibly trying to use an enormous deadly-looking machine. Ooh! Starting to get a little bit more interesting, eh?

Though Yuna and Rikku receive no real further character development (not that they really had any to begin with), the only other playable character – Paine – receives quite a bit of development that unravels throughout the game which is very interesting to watch. Also, learning more and more about the previously mentioned Nooj, Baralai, and Gippal, as well as Tidus and the gigantic machina really makes the story quite interesting and enjoyable.

Gameplay (7/10)
The true flaw of the story is actually the gameplay. Does that make sense? Not really. But let me explain.

FFX-2 is extremely non-linear, almost to a sickening point. The entire game is mission-based. This means that the game is divided into certain chapters, each with certain missions. Even though there are usually only about five required missions per chapter, you can usually complete a mission for every area of the game (all but a few places from FFX return). By doing just about everything you can (nearly impossible in one game), you can achieve 100% - earning you an extra ending (discussed in Replayability section). These optional missions (a.k.a. sidequests), however, rarely have anything to do with the story! Most of them are actually pretty stupid (i.e. handing out balloons, cracking cacti's clues, chasing imaginary moogles). Therefore, you will receive the story in very small doses, and half the time you might have to rethink what you're actually trying to do.

Though I don't really like any of this mission stuff, the rest of the gameplay can be rather enjoyable. The Job System we know and love from Final Fantasy III and V has returned. For those unfamiliar with the Job System, basically it means that you can switch your characters in and out of various jobs or character classes (i.e. Warrior, Thief, Black Mage, White Mage). While I don't like it as much as Final Fantasy IV and IX's pre-set character classes, it is far superior to the “every-character-can-use-magic-and-summon-monsters-and-be-super-strong” way of live we have become accustomed to since FF6. This time around you have specialized spheres called Dresspheres. Each Dressphere contains the thoughts and memories of another person, and by equipping it, your character (in a sense) “becomes” that person. That is, if they were a Black Mage, you become a Black Mage. If they were a Songstress, you become a Songstress.

Also the Active-Time Battle system as returned. Which is a good thing.

I do have a few more gripes (other than the missions) for the gameplay. Only three playable characters. I am 99% sure this is the first Final Fantasy game to feature such a small amount. This might not be disappointing to everyone, but I think there should at least be seven playable characters (preferably about the same amount as FF6) in an RPG of this nature. Also, you can no longer summon Aeons (Summons). Considering you defeated them all before the final battle of FFX, it would be kind of weird if you could summon them, so I can't complain that much. Lastly, the only equipment you get is accessories. I prefer the previous FF's way of having weapons, armor, and accessories. But I guess it's not that big of a deal.

Graphics (10/10)
What can I say? They've done it again. Square-Enix has always been able to render up above-par visuals. Basically, the in-game graphics are the same as FFX (which was expected). But the FMVs are even better! Not by an amazing amount or anything, but they are notably better. Also, the dubbing of the games voices seems to be done much better than it was in FFX. The characters don't move their mouths without anything coming out nearly as much.

Music/Sound (6/10)
Square games have always been known for their wonderful soundtracks. Their epic anthems, powerful songs, and memorable tunes…

…can be found nowhere in this game. The music in this game has so much more of a “pop” feel, which could have been okay, but not in this game. It wasn't necessarily painful, but it certainly did not live up to the expectations made by previous Final Fantasies.

The voice acting is, well, meh. Hedy Burress as Yuna has a little more life than she did in FFX. Still, it just seems unrealistic and fake. The voice acting of the entire game certainly isn't horrible, but it's just…not that good.

Replayability (9/10)
Being a Chrono series fan, anything with a “New Game Plus” feature would usually earn a ten in the replayability category. However, FFX-2's New Game Plus isn't top-notch.

Let me explain. The ideal New Game Plus is featured in the game Chrono Cross. You start off with all of your equipment (unless the equipment is vital to the plot of the story), abilities, and all of your levels and stats from your previous game (after you've beaten it, that is). CC also had an extra feature called the “Time Shifter” where you could play the game in slow-motion or in fast-motion. The point of having keeping your levels is to speed through the game faster than normal. This way, you could obtain secret endings much easier.

FFX-2, however, dismissed the idea of keeping your levels. As I mentioned before, you can see a secret ending by obtaining 100% completion. To achieve this, you must fight several very difficult bosses. By keeping your levels, it would be much more possible to defeat them. However, this is not the case, and you start back at level one.

However, you do get to keep your Dresspheres, as well as the abilities you learned with them. Also, you keep your percentage from the last game, so you don't necessarily have to do everything you just did over again.

Final Remarks (7/10)
Pros:
+ in-depth story, once you're done with the first part of the game
+ Job System
+ Active-Time Battle system
+ awesome graphics
+ lots of replayability (secret endings, 100% completion, etc.)

Cons:
- replacement of the “epic” feel of previous FFs, with more of a “Charlie's Angels” feel
- pointless, time-filling sidequests (…giving out balloons…)
- only three playable characters
- sub-par music and voice acting
- unusual New Game Plus feature

Overall, the game is above-average. Unfortunately the good parts of the game are overshadowed by the bad. It's still good enough to buy. In fact, the ridiculous sidequests make the game last pretty long, so you'll have to buy it if you want 100% completion! Just remember, the beginning will probably seem very…well…bad…but give it a chance! If you look beyond the awkwardness and absurdity, the game really can be quite enjoyable!

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 06/17/05