Final Fantasy X-2

Final Fantasy X-2 (Ten-Two) is a video game in the Final Fantasy series, and the first to be a true sequel to any Final Fantasy game.

Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.

for both Final Fantasy X-2 and Final Fantasy X

It is set two years after the defeat of Sin in Final Fantasy X, dealing with less dramatics and the more down to earth ossies of the rapidly changing Spira, for better or worse. The story revolves around three girls, the returning main characters Yuna of Bevelle and Rikku the Al Bhed, and a new girl, named Paine.

The game is often criticized for its cute factor (or outright sex appeal), which others view as an attempt to bring a more upbeat tone to the Final Fantasy series as well as attract (Japanese) female gamers.

Being set in the same world as its predecessor means that the geography is largely unchanged.

Storyline

Shortly before the beginning of the game, a "sphere" was brought to Yuna's attention, apparently containing what appeared to be an image of her lost love, Tidus. Once again, his name is never said in this game, but the word used often by Yuna, "Kimi," (君) has a special significance in Japanese. Apparently CTB - Conditional Turn-Based) was dropped in favour of a fast-paced variation on the traditional Active Turn Based system. Instead of waiting for enemies to attack, it is now possible to interrupt an enemy whilst they are charging their attack or chain your characters' attacks together for special chain bonuses. This also comes with its disadvantages, because the same can be done to members of your party.

In addition to the Active Turn Based battle system, Dresspheres have been introduced. Dresspheres are similar to Jobs from Final Fantasy V, and allow the main characters to change from one Class to another, in battle if necessary. This is done through the use of Garment Grids, or collections of nodes with powerups and special skills. Each Dressphere has a smaller development path than the characters and classes of most RPG's, meaning that spherechanging is often advantageous or necessary in battles.

The field system has been upgraded, and now Yuna has the ability to jump and climb, and, in the immortal words of Ken Berry (the SE Product Supervisor), Yuna can also "do heaps of other cool stuff". The field is still totally 3D, and many locations have returned from the previous game, with a number of new locations. Over the two years, Kilika has been rebuilt and looks simply amazing.

In another departure from previous games in the series, players are able to visit almost every location from the (near) beginning of the game, via an airship interface, no longer bound by the storyline, and subsequently perform certain missions pertaining to the area. (Alternatively, they may simply direct themselves from an area to another, as was the case in most of Final Fantasy X.) The main storyline can be advanced by visiting "Hotspots" (Active Links in the Japanese version). Aside from the main storyline, each area contains an "Episode" that can be completed over the course of the game.

Miscellaneous

This is the first Final Fantasy game to feature an all-female cast of player-characters, and the first since FF3 to feature a constant party throughout the entire game.

The game includes a number of side-quests and minigames, including Gunner's Gauntlet, the Den of Woe and the Via Infinito, amongst a lot of optional bosses who provide much of a challenge. The underwater sport Blitzball also makes a return appearance.

Fairly early on in the game, Yuna and her party must make a decision to give a key item to either the Youth League or New Yevon factions. Though this decision ultimately doesn't matter as far as the overall storyline is concerned, it will affect how certain NPCs react to Yuna and the development of certain plot points.

There are three different endings in this game, all of them are "happy" in relation to its predecessors.

Soundtrack

All of the music has changed, as Nobuo Uematsu has been temporarily replaced by Noriko Matsueda and Takahito Eguchi (composers for The Bouncer). There are many spectacular pieces in the game, and quite a few spectacularly tacky pieces. Among the songs are the J-Pop styled "Real Emotion" and a slower paced song, "1000 Words" (Senn No Kotoba in Japanese). The Japanese versions of the songs are sung by Koda Kumi, a Japanese music artist. The American versions of the songs are sung by Jade of Sweetbox.

Release Dates

Final Fantasy X-2 was released in Japan on March 13, 2003, in North America on November 18, 2003 and European/PAL regions on February 20, 2004.

An extended version of the game, entitled "Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission" was released (exclusively in Japan) on February 19, 2004.