This game follows the original offering new characters, game modes, and a more balanced combat system.
Combat: This game follows the same battle formula as used in the first game, being that a fighter has both bravery attacks and HP attacks along with a variety of blocks, dodges, summons, and an overdrive mode that allows for a major attack. New inclusions to the combat are the assist characters that can aid you in battle by doing either a bravery or HP attack, or simply filling in for you after getting hit, moving you up and to safety. The fighters abilities seem more balanced this time around with noticeable strengths and weaknesses. The camera along with some smaller stages may put you or your enemy in a near escapable corner during combat which could make some fights frustrating.
The fighters include the original 22 fighters from the first game along with the inclusion of Lightning, Laguna, Yuna, Tifa, Vaan, and Kain. There are also a few unlockable combatants.
Plot: The 12th cycle depicts the journey of the six new fighters in their quest to defeat the manikins and ensure that the other warriors will be reborn to take down Chaos in the 13th cycle. The new plot is decent as far as stories go but not overly deep or engaging. Its more interesting just playing as the new fighters rather than whats going on with the story. The story of the original game returns but is now longer due to the inclusion of the overworld system.
The new story can be completed in 7-10 hours minimum and the original story will take longer than it did the first time around.
The overworld system is a nice inclusion for the visual aspect as well as providing side dungeons to level up your fighters. However, after a while you'd much rather just got on with the next fight rather than having to walk there and figure out whats going on. This new system has also been integrated with the original games story which makes replaying those areas, if you've played the first title, longer and more tedious.
Sound: This game has great sound with well integrated music tracks that both set the mood and come straight from other Final Fantasy titles most of the time, which will provide players with an easy listening experience. The voice acting is well done for the new story but it is recycled for the original games story and this is quite noticeable during play simply by comparison with the new story.
The game also has a new create your own story mode and a labyrinth mode. The title also provides players with the option of carrying over character levels and some pp catalog items from the first game with a save file from the first game.
Overall, it is a decent fighting game reminiscent of Super Smash Bros. simply handheld on the PSP and following Final Fantasy rather than Nintendo. I'd even go as fas as to say that it may be one of the best fighting games on a handheld and is worthy of recognition for its unique gameplay style. Play it and give it a try, once you get over the learning curve, you'll be sure to enjoy this game.