User Rating: 9.3 | Final Fantasy X-2 PS2
By J_DUB | Review Date:
Square-Enix is on top of the RPG heap and have been since the beginnings of console gaming. A Squaresoft or Enix logo on the case of an RPG means something to gamers, add to that the name Final Fantasy and gamers can generally feel pretty safe about what they are getting into. Well go ahead and toss that all out the window. Final Fantasy X-2 takes pretty much every supposed rule and puts it on its head. Don’t get me wrong, this game still screams quality, but this is a different type of Final Fantasy. Everything here is running with a new tempo from the mostly upbeat dialogue to a new take on the Active Time Battles found in former final fantasy games. While the speed of the battles is customizable, the default speed is hectic and exhilarating. Most battles are over in less then a minute, with quick decisions and a fair amount of button mashing a must. That’s not to say strategy is missing because its surely not. X-2 introduces “dresspheres” which are yet another upbeat take on an old favorite, the job system. Scattered throughout the game the dresspheres offer your characters the opportunity to change their job on the fly. With the appropriate dresspheres in hand a character can switch from a lightning quick thief to a fearsome warrior complete with (RPG staple) giant sword in hand they can then switch to a wizened mage and back again all within the course of a single battle. The system is as fun as it is strange allowing a solid strategic feel coupled with some off the wall animations depicting your character changing into different outfits. Each change is complete with awesome graphic effects similar to the summoning spells found in previous games. Final Fantasy X-2 is a surprisingly deep game coated in a thick paint of bright colors and what I can only describe as a Japanese take on ‘girl power’. Your party of characters is filled by three young women whose actions and attire speak as loudly as their running commentary. The dialogue between the characters is oftentimes very humorous especially for fans of the original Final Fantasy X as the lead character Yuna has shed her somber tone (and much of here clothing) to become a bright and excitable young woman. Along for the ride is the always chatty and childlike Rikku who is another carryover from the original game. The final member of the team is Paine who is a bit more serious, and even a bit mysterious, in regards to here background. These three young women form the Gullwings or Y.R.P. (as they will sometimes refer to themselves) and their occupation as a group of sphere hunters allows itself to flow easily into the games mission based structure. The girls start the game aboard their own airship and are immediately able to fly off into any number of locals to complete missions and, whenever desired, the choice to move the story forward. This nonlinear game structure and freedom of choice is another first for the Final Fantasy series and is a welcome change that matches the games tone very well. Final Fantasy X-2 is very different and very fun. Put some of your preconceived notions of what a Final Fantasy game has to be and you are sure to pulled along for a wild ride.

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