Gaming Target - PlayStation 2: Final Fantasy X-2

Written by Matt Partington on January 13, 2003

First Impressions: And you thought Rikku used to be hot!

In the world of RPG gaming, Final Fantasy reigns supreme. With one of the most active, colossal fan-bases in the industry, it's no surprise that Square EA never ceases to fail us when it comes to all-around quality. The Final Fantasy franchise has always been ahead of the crowd--ahead in story elements, ahead in visual presentation and even ahead in sales. Upon every new release the Final Fantasy series seems to refine and redefine console-style RPGs like clockwork. When Final Fantasy X was put on shelves in December 2001, it sold like mad and was quickly considered one of the finest in the series. It didn't take long before gamers started discussing the hit-or-miss УcliffhangerФ ending of FFX, and by that time the idea of a sequel was already established. Of course, it felt as if it were in vain. Never before had Square created a direct sequel to a Final Fantasy, it's practically forbidden! Or so we thought...

About five months after the impact of the game finally died down, rumors started popping up about a possible following to FFX. These rumors also included a picture of Yuna dressed up in a skimpy outfit with handguns. Heh, no way, this couldn't possibly be real, could it? Once again, the thought of a return became dispersed in time, until it was announced that Square is indeed heading up a direct sequel to none other than Final Fantasy X. The details were scarce of course (as they still are), so we really didn't know what to expect other than that there would be two separate storiesЦYuna's version and Rikku's version. Then, screenshots were revealed, and story details. All of a sudden the gamers who once desperately desired a return of Yuna and the gang didn't know what to think of it all. It's not surprising why gamers are still somewhat skeptical of what to think, these changes aren't exactly subtle. Here's the lowdown on what exactly Final Fantasy X-2 is, and why you should be giddy like a schoolgirl about it.

X-2 starts off where the bonus scene in Final Fantasy: International (only in Japan) leaves off and focuses around the story of Yuna in search of Tidus. Now that they've saved Spira from Sin and all seems well and dandy, Yuna stumbles across a Sphere. This Sphere depicts an image of someone who resembles Tidus in a struggle. Even two years after the events of Final Fantasy X, Yuna lusts for her true love. Alas, she ventures out to try and discover more of these Spheres. This is where she joins up with old acquaintance Rikku. Rikku is now apart of the Kanome Clan (meaning seagull in Japanese). The Kanome Clan is one of many gangs who are in search of Spheres that reveal the disastrous past of the people and land of Spira. They're truly invaluable and the hunger for them is unparalleled. Even though Yuna is the heroine of Spira she finds her heart empty. Dreams of seeing what she truly longs for have disappeared in time until she discovers this Sphere. And she must get to the bottom of it.

Although specific details on the story haven't been released, we can assume that X-2 will have its share of plot twists and wild events that'll keep us engaged throughout. Square has released the information that there will be eight playable characters, three of which we know: Yuna, Rikku and Paine. Paine is obviously the newcomer to the story and somewhat replaces Lulu. Unfortunately, it's been told to us that Lulu will not be playable in X-2 although we will see her with Wakka and their newborn child. Yuna will also reconcile with her former guard Kimahri, now the leader of the Ronso tribe. The Japanese trailers released here in the U.S. gives us an extremely vague idea of what goes on. Probably the most noticeable thing in the entire video is at the very end when we see Tidus and Yuna running side by side as if being chased by something. This could be a reuniting of the two or possibly a mere dream that Yuna is experiencing. Who knows, but it's very interesting.

Immediately you're entailed with an airship in X-2, something that wasn't earned until the very end of FFX. This airship (the Celcius) allows you to venture into any signified part of the worldmap-2. That's right, anywhere at any time. This also means that X-2 is drastically less linear than FFX which is probably the most straight-forward Final Fantasy to date (for obvious story reasons). Since you're a group of Sphere Hunters in search of your treasures, you have missions to accomplish. In the very beginning you're given several missions of which you can complete in any given order. This form of play is called the Mission Select system, one of many entirely new things added just for X-2. It's counterpart is the Active Link system. The Active Link system will determine how the story is revealed. Therefore the order that you choose your missions alters the way that the plot is laid out. Did I say non-linear? Let me change that to really non-linear. Joining you in the Kanome Clan is Rikku's older brother and his friend Dachi who were both briefly seen in Final Fantasy X.

To add competition, you won't be the only gang searching for Spheres. Just one of many more is the Le Blanc Clan, led by Le Blanc herself. They quite possibly may serve as valid enemies throughout the adventure considering the adequate amount of screenshots they've been in. Luckily, you're the only ones attributed with an airship, which should allow you to get to more places much quicker than the rest.

Earning an airship from the beginning isn't the only thing that has been changed when it comes to exploring in X-2. One of the most significant changes is Yuna's added ability to jump and climb platform-style. This is merely done by pressing the X button, but environments should become somewhat of a more interesting experience instead of just wondering around. Most caves will have stones to jump from and to, and even walls and such to climb. But don't worry, if you fall it doesn't mean Game Over. After all it's an RPG not an action game. The X-2 team hopes that this will add a little more entertainment and excitement to exploring considering there's seemingly a hefty amount of it.

At the core of every great RPG is a solid and deep battle system. FFX took it to the next level by creating a simple but deep and very amusing battle system. It took the elements from all the classic turn-based RPGs of the past decade, added things such as Overdrives and featured extremely entertaining camera work. FFX also had a very strategic battle system where the lack of thinking things out could result in a death of a member. Well, forget that entire factor because the battle system for X-2 is totally redone and different from its predecessor. First and foremost it's no longer turn-based but Active Time Battle. This should speed up the pace of a battle therefore enthralling the player more. When you attack it will use up a portion of your gauge of which limits you to a certain amount of moves. This also means you have the ability to use multiple attacks at once (most of the time, heavier attacks result in smaller accuracy ratings). Square has named this the Attack Chain system. Those of you who played Chrono Cross should feel right at home. Even though X-2's battle system is new, it still contains elements from the Conditional Turn-based system (although obviously not the system itself) to add that special touch of strategy in every battle. It's unannounced if you'll be able to swap characters in and out mid-battle like you could in FFX, but don't count on it.

Alas there's another major change to note. The fantastic Sphere Grid that we saw in FFX has been totally replaced by the Dress Up system based on the Job Wheel of which we saw in Final Fantasy Tactics. Dress Up is a method of changing your УjobФ in order to give you different abilities in battle. All the jobs haven't been unveiled by Square, but we know that these exist: gunner, knight, white magician, black magician, thief, pop star and gambler. By pressing L1 during battle you are permitted at any time to change your trade. Simple enough, but you must have Dress Up Spheres at hand which are earned through combat and journey. We know that the Dress Up system will add depth to battle, but it's undetermined how much exactly these jobs will change your magic and fighting abilities while vying. If it's at a very minimum modification then the system could become irrelevant.

We're quite fortunate that the majority of the Final Fantasy X team has returned for X-2. Most notably is FFX director Motomu Toriyama and character designer Tetsuya Nomura. On the other hand, Final Fantasy's primary composer Nobuo Uematsu will not be joining up on X-2 (busy working on FFXII we're guessing) and is instead replaced with Takahito Eguchi and Noriko Matsueda. Tetsu Tsukamoto will be assisting Tetsuya Nomura with character design as well. Other than that, it seems that all the major players from FFX will be make a reappearance.

Graphically, X-2 seems to use the exact same engine as FFX. Cutscenes will holdover once again and seem to be in the same form. That also means that it'll have full voice-acting as you probably could've guessed. We can also anticipate those state-of-the-art CGs that Square has become so renown for.

Of all these things that have been changed for the benefit of a new experience, the new tone of X-2 has to be the most drastic. FFX could be melodramatic, but X-2 has a lighthearted and vivid look and feel to it. Yuna's dress has been replaced with a sexy outfit and she now sports pistols. Rikku has hair braids and a sassy new get-up as well. Frankly, they're hot as hell. The mood of X-2 is skittishly fun and takes a much-needed escape from the many dark and serious RPGs we find on the market. This doesn't go to say that X-2 won't have it's serious moments, in fact as the game progresses it seems to get much less lighthearted and turns into a more solemn outing. Despite this, on your journey you will venture into territories that we saw in FFX including the reconstructed Kiliki village. In FFX we saw the world of Spira evolving it's culture from old-fashioned techniques to Machina (machinery) and the tension it created between the people . Now that it's two years later, Spira has moved on and is reliant singly on Machina to for everyday life. This would probably explain the much more УmodernФ look of X-2.