A girly game? No way! The new Yuna will - quite literally - blow you away!
Enter Yuna, a member of the Gull-wings, headed by that infamous Al Bhed by the name of "Brother". Why is she there? If you've seen the end of Final Fantasy X, you don't need to ask. She's searching for someone. Together with Rikku (also a main character from the previous installment) and Paine (a new and mysterious character that even Yuna and Rikku don't know much about) they search for ancient spheres to help unlock the mysteries of Spira, or discover clues about a new threat to Spira's new-found tranquility.
Whereas X had a predominantly dark atmosphere and linear story, X-2 is completely different. There's singing, dancing, and lots of silliness and laughing. This in itself may be a big turn-off for many fans of the series. Myself, I enjoyed the turn around, and really, after the destruction of Sin, what would you expect? I'd be singing and dancing too. And getting some new clothes.
Perhaps the biggest change is the story though. While there is a central plot, it is largely overshadowed by a multitude of side quests and mini-games. Some of these can be difficult, others ridiculously easy. A large portion of the game is dedicated to resolving the rising political tensions between various factions that have developed - yes, Yevon is still there, and it's still technically the "baddie". While it isn't a mind-blowing new concept, it is a logical progression of the Spira universe, and the game does an excellent job of portraying the effect it has on the people.
X-2 is a very people-oriented game. A lot of the cut-scenes and dialogue involve personal crises, how characters overcome their weaknesses, move on. In this respect, X-2 should be applauded. Few Final Fantasy games have such detailed characterisation and personal growth. This isn't just for the main characters either. Brother has issues with his father. The three leaders of the largest factions in Spira share a rocky past. Paine has issues with Yuna. Rikku is harder to sum up or define, but she's far from perfect too. Her notable lack of clothing is just the tip of the iceberg (pun intended).
You get to choose what missions you want to do from what's available at the time. Some missions may make or break other missions, or take you straight to the next chapter. You may have to play the game several times to truly experience everything this game has to offer, with multiple endings, choices that impact the whole world (one choice could lead to the annihilation of the Guado, for instance), and various items only available if you do things a certain way.
A key game-play feature is the dress spheres. You can change your profession, either in battle or out of battle, and there is a large variety to choose from - Lady Luck, Dark Knight, Chemist ... something for every situation you can think of. Have fun experimenting with these. There are even character-specific dress spheres, but these might take a bit of getting used to - they only activate after you've changed your outfit several times in battle, making them a bit of a nuisance.
In addition to changing your clothes, there are Garment Grids. These basically function as a template for each character, while at the same time offering the character that equips it bonus abilities or attributes. The best way to explain it is it looks like a tiny sphere grid from Final Fantasy X, but the sphere locations are fully customisable with dress spheres. In battle, you use this Garment Grid to change your profession/clothing, based on what dress spheres are available on the paths linked to the dress sphere you are currently wearing. Sound confusing? Probably. Best thing to do is try it for yourself. It really isn't as bad as it sounds here, and once you get the hang of it, you'll have got the hang of the game.
Graphics can be a let down or a relief depending on how much you liked the environments in FFX, because they've mostly been reused. There are some new areas, and the old areas often feature new "fixed camera" paths, so you can see them from different perspectives. I enjoyed it. I found it just as breathtaking and awesome running around as I found its predecessor.
While this was the first game in the series to not feature music by Mr Uematsu, I still found it spectacular. Admittedly, a lot of the music is upbeat and fun, but there are some equally excellent sinister themes, especially for Via Infinito.
A lot of old favourites and classic enemies make a reappearance too. My personal favourite is Jumbo Cactuar though - nothing beats the sound effects, or Rikku's exclamations at how it formed. In fact, the quips and anecdotes in FFX-2 are among the best and funniest I've heard in a while. There are a few that are sound wrong, or are super cliche, but perhaps they're unavoidable. Quotes such as calling a Behemoth King a "Beef steak!", Paine's rather vocal dislike of certain dress spheres (notably the Mascot), and various battle quotes depending on who you're fighting and how much damage you take (the trio will even talk to each other about the oncoming battle) all make the game more enjoyable, addictive and just plain fun.
There's a hot spa scene for all the naughty boys out there. A healthy dose of friendly jibes and teasing. Brother can be absolutely hilarious, and Lulu and Wakka are having a baby. Auron appears for a cameo in the form of a sphere, and Kimahri tries to get his tribe in order.
As for the main man, Tidus ... well, I'll leave that up to you.