Once there was a land called Spira, a land of prosperity, flowing with civilization and technology. Then came an immortal being known only
as Sin. Sin destroyed the very livelihood of the people of Spira, bringing about the destruction of land and eventually the decline of progress.
Enter
the summoners, Spira's last hope of survival, and the only ones able to defeat Sin and bring about the "Calm," a time of peace... but only temporarily. Daughter
to High Summoner Braska, one of the summoners who was successful in once defeating Sin, Yuna reaches the age of 17 and becomes a summoner as well. She then meets a
youth who goes by the name Tidus, who claims that he comes from a land called Zanarkand, a place believed to have been destroyed 1000 years ago. Much to the disbelief
of many, he still joins Yuna and her guardians on the journey to destroy Sin, like his father before him who joined Braska in his journey. Aware of this, Yuna realizes
that she did not meet him by chance, and together they defeat Sin... but this time not temporarily, bringing about what they called the "Eternal Calm." Peace returned
to Spira, but at a price... the destruction of Sin meant the disappearance of the boy from Zanarkand.
Two years after the final destruction of Sin, Spira has progressed
nicely with the return of the once-forbidden machina, and Yuna returns to her home, she now known by many as High Summoner Yuna. She lives everyday with the peace she helped
bring to Spira, but something is missing...
Rikku, a friend and once guardian to Yuna, returns to Yuna with a movie sphere... a movie sphere that seems to present an image
of their long lost friend, Tidus, in great danger. Is it really him, or just someone who looks like him? Determined, she and Rikku set out on a journey to find
out. This is only the beginning...
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Final Fantasy X-2 (read as "ten-two") is the first "direct sequel" in Square-Enix's most beloved series. What does this mean? Final Fantasy X-2 (FFX-2) brings you back to the world of Spira, a world
first presented to us in Final Fantasy X, and also features the return of characters remembered by fans. This is something new to the series, since each succeeding sequel presented us with new characters, with new stories in a new world to explore, this is the first game
in the series to grant fans their wish of going back to see what happens to their favorite characters after the end of a game that they meticulously spent hours on. What's so special about the Final Fantasy series is that most players begin to grow such deep connections
with the characters (sigh... Aeris...), so revisiting them to continue the story is a real treat to the fans.
Those who've played Final Fantasy X, who most definitely remember the soft-spoken and sweet summoner, Yuna, were shocked to see how
drastically her image changed when the first details of FFX-2 were revealed. Gone is the formal robe... welcome the new Yuna, twin guns and hot pants included! Who would have thought Square-Enix would go this far... but is it bad? Apparently
not! While fans were skeptical about the apparently "Charlie's Angels"-influenced premise, the somewhat "girly" approach to the story and the new injection of more comedy, FFX-2 has been critically acclaimed worldwide. Definitely, FFX-2 is a masterpiece, one
of the best RPG's released for the Sony PlayStation2... at least in Japan. The North American version is yet to be released on November 18, 2003, but with so much positive results and reviews from Japan, nobody is worried, and with the quality Square-Enix has always shown
in the localization process, in bringing the series Stateside, we can't go wrong!
Since FFX-2 is a "direct sequel" to FFX, and apparently uses almost the same engine as it's predecessor, should we expect much of the same? The answer is
"Yes" and "No"... "Yes" because it brings us back to a world and characters we're familiar with, and borrows much from FFX. "No" because it's added so much to the already stellar gameplay of FFX that we can almost dismiss it as a separate game in the series, and
many of the characters have been changed quite drastically in someway or another, may it be their role in the story (some of the lesser characters of FFX play bigger roles this time around), or maybe just the way they look. FFX-2 also features an open-ended mission structure,
where every place on the world map is made accessible to the player from the beginning, making the game a little less linear than past Final Fantasies. A mainstay in most good RPG's, FFX-2 also features a huge fruitbasket of mini-games, sidequests and special missions, ranging
from the difficult to the fun and to the wacky, they are sure to keep any jaded gamer busy for hours.
Leveling-up is a very important aspect in RPG's, and the way it is implemented in the game usually determines just how good the RPG is. Of
course, the story is also a very vital aspect, but it's never a problem with the Final Fantasy series, which always never fails to deliver a brilliant and heart-warming story. Borrowing certain elements from FFX's Sphere Grid and FFV's Job System, FFX-2 creates the DressSphere
and Garment Grid system, which is intuitive and unique, and most importantly less-confusing than level-up systems in some other RPG's. Simple, yet deep, it's a welcome addition to the ever evolving series.
Lastly, with all the "oohs" and
"awws" that FFX received for it's graphics and sound, it was a no-brainer that Square-Enix will push it up a level, while also raising the bar once again for future companies to reach. The game features both improved graphics and facial expressions, as well as the implementation
of Dolby technology (ProLogic II and Digital EX) for the growing population of audiophiles out there. CG cinemas and cutscenes, a staple of the series, are absolutely breathtaking, as always, and can be watched over and over in Luca's Sphere Theater (just like in FFX), showing-off
the level of first-class quality that Square-Enix never fails to acheive.
With just a week to go until it's release... I can't wait! ^_^