Final Fantasy X-2

Final Fantasy X-2
The start of Yuna's new journey two years after defeating Sin.
Protagonist(s): Yuna Genre(s): Role-playing Platform(s): PlayStation 2 Release Date: JP: March 13, 2003 NA: November 18, 2003 AU: February 19, 2004 EU: February 20, 2004 Developer(s): Square Publisher(s): Square (Japan) Square Enix (International) Series: Final Fantasy Predecessor: Final Fantasy X Successor: Final Fantasy XI

Final Fantasy X-2 is a role-playing video game developed by Square and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2, as the direct sequel to Final Fantasy X. It is the first game in the series to be published by Square Enix after the merger of Enix and Square in early 2003, it was the last Final Fantasy game to be developed by the original Square company before the merger.

Plot

The game's story follows the character Yuna from Final Fantasy X as she seeks to search for her missing love, Tidus, after seeing him in a sphere two years after Yu Yevon's defeat. Besides seeking answers as to why her love is depicted in this sphere, the High Summoner that vanquished Sin not only has to deal with the political conflicts that emerged after the collapse of the Temples with the rise of two groups called New Yevon and the Youth League, but also having to contend with a thousand-year-old unsent who seeks to destroy Spira as vengeance for the death of his love during the Machina War.

Why It Rocks

1. Just like the previous game in the series, the voice acting is amazing, by lots of talent actors such as: Tara Strong (Timmy Turner from The Fairly OddParents, Harley Quinn from Batman Arkham series, Princess Twilligh Sparkles from My Little Pony and Bubbles from The Powerpuff Girls (1998), S. Scott Bullock, John DiMaggio (Bender from Futurama, Scottsman from Samurai Jack, Jake the Dog from Adventure Time, Marcus Fenix from Gears of War series and FuDog from American Dragon: Jake Long), Candi Milo (Nora Wakeman from My Life as a Teenage Robot, the titular character from Dexter's Laboratory season 3 and 4, Janet from The Boondocks and the titular character from Astro Boy (2004) game), Tom Kenny (The titular character from Spongebob Squarepants), Grey DeLisle Griffin (Kitty Katswell from T.U.F.F Puppy, Daphne from Scooby Doo (2002 - onwards) and Mandy from The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Debi Derryberry (The titular character from Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and Coco from Crash of the Titans and Crash: Mind Over Mutant), Dee Bradly Baker (Klaus from American Dad!), Cree Summer (Susie from Rugrats (1991) and Numbuh 5 from Codename: Kids Next Door) and James Arnold Tylor (Wooldoor Sockbat from Drawn Together, the titular character from Johnny Test and Mr Bolhofner from The Loud House.
2. The traditional turn-based battle system from Final Fantasy X has been replaced by a faster-paced variation of the Final Fantasy series' traditional active time battle (ATB) system, which offers a more action-RPG feel.
3. Unlike its predecessor, the player can finally skip cutscenes, which is useful if you already saw it the first time.
4. Playable characters may interrupt an enemy while they are preparing to take action, instead of waiting for an enemy's turn to finish before attacking.
5. It is possible for both characters and enemies to chain attacks together for greater damage.
6. Smoother graphics and sound than its predecessor.
7. The game consists of five chapters, with each location featuring one scenario per chapter. Put together, the five scenarios in one locale form a subplot of the game called an "Episode".
8. The field-map navigation system is largely unchanged from Final Fantasy X, but with a few upgrades, which provide the player with extended interaction with the environment through jumping, climbing and rotating camera angles.
9. Many main characters from the previous game return as NPCs.
10. The game incorporates an all-new dressphere system which is similar to the Job system, which grants the freedom to customize the battle style for each character, assigning them roles mid-battle to adjust their strengths to best suit the opponent's weaknesses.
11. By changing through all the dresspheres on a character's Garment Grid they may change into a special dressphere unique to them.
12. Tons of mini-games and side quests to keep you busy.
13. When a character takes action and kills enemies they gain Ability Points that unlock new abilities on their dressphere.
14. Great soundtrack with songs such as 1000 words and Real Emotion especially the opening cutscene with Yuna singing.

Bad Qualities

1. The game reuses huge amounts of assets from Final Fantasy X. So much so that it feels like more of an expansion pack rather than a sequel.
2. Poor story and wasted potential with the Crimson Squad and the conflict between New Yevon and the Youth League.
3. The true ending of the game destroys the entire idea of the game conceptually, and many think it's so cheerful that it winds up becoming dull.
4. In comparison to its predecessor, the difficulty is ridiculously easy; few foes and bosses pose a challenge. The International/HD Remaster versions take things a step further by allowing you to utilize strong monsters in your squad (especially Almighty Shinra).
5. There is no choice for those who prefer Japanese voices. Fortunately, a mod for the PC version is available that allows gamers to swap to the Japanese voices.

Reception

The sequel to Final Fantasy X was a commercial success. Final Fantasy X-2 was the best-selling game in Japan in 2003, selling over 1.94 million units. It sold over a million copies in North America (within two months of its debut there) and approximately four million copies worldwide within nine months of its Japanese release. It went on to sell 2.11 million copies in Japan, 1.85 million units in the US, and more than 100,000 units in the UK. Over the course of 2004, its definitive edition, International + Last Mission, sold over 288,000 copies in Japan. As of March 2013, the game had sold over 5.4 million copies on PlayStation 2 worldwide.

The game's stylistic changes from past Final Fantasy titles created controversy; and the game's atmosphere was a drastic change from that of Final Fantasy X.

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