After establishing itself as the longest RPG series there is without ever reusing a setting, the Final Fantasy series has finally produced a direct sequel in the form of the bizarrely titled Final Fantasy X-2. While it fails to do much to add to the story of its predecessor, the result is a surprisingly fun game.
Prior to the release of Final Fantasy X-2, it was heavily implied that the story would revolve around a search for the main character of Final Fantasy X. It was also implied that the ability to jump would add a large element of action to the game. Both of these implications are wholely false however. In reality, the game has nearly no story whatsoever. The bulk of dialog comes from wandering the world of Final Fantasy X, hearing all the myriad NPCs talk about how bright and cheery their lives have been in the two years which elapsed between games, with a good deal of these conversations are voice acted by the same hit and miss cast as the previous game.
Traditional FF Battles
The voice acting cast isn’t the only thing Square Enix chose to reuse for the game. 98% of the characters, locations, and monsters in FFX-2 are lifted straight from X, giving the game the feel of a hastily made expansion than a truly new game at times. Aside from the freedom to jump around between locations from the onset, the only real change between the games is the battle system.
This, however, is where Final Fantasy X-2 earns its keep. Bringing back classic elements such as the Active Time Battle system, and a variation on the Job system from games like Final Fantasy V or Final Fantasy Tactics, battles in FFX-2 after battles bear little resemblance to those from FFX. Combat takes place in semi-real time with characters able to change their class on the fly. This gives instant access to different skill sets depending on the situation. Final Fantasy X-2‘s battles also feature a refreshing lack of the lengthy, overpowering attacks the series has become infamous for in recent years.
Recycled Locations
Learning new abilities also harkens back to earlier games, with a simple menu system in place allowing the player to choose how the characters will advance, rather than the cumbersome Sphere Grid system of Final Fantasy X.
The only strike against the new battle system comes in the visuals associated with the various classes. The costumes in Final Fantasy X-2 set a new standard in the field of tasteless skimpy outfits, and gratuitous transformation sequences are thrown in when switching between them. This sort of pandering extends to camera placement and dialog in many scenes as well, lending a Charlie’s Angels vibe to the experience as a whole.
Skimpy Costumes
Outside of battle, the game features a fairly non-linear freedom of exploration. In each of the game’s five chapters, every location in the game offers up a quick little mission. These missions range in content from combat, to pure dialog, to simple mini-games. These mini-games are by and large frustrating and unrewarding, but fortunately they do not number in the handful of mandatory missions. Players who choose to skip over the optional missions will likely find the game to be rather short. A Chrono Trigger-style “New Game +” option however will allow them to play through again with all their old items and abilities to fill in the holes in their experience if necessary.
Players looking for an added layer of depth to the story of Final Fantasy X will most likely be disappointed by Final Fantasy X-2. However, those simply seeking a light-hearted fun game may find it to be the most enjoyable thing to come from the series in several years.
However, I equally recommend the gameplay of both X and X-2, especially their superb turn-based combat. Final Fantasy X has the Conditional Time Battle system, which allows you to quickly swap party members in and out of combat, while X-2 has Dress Sphere Grids which enable you to change character’s jobs on the fly by changing their outfits. Both of these systems keep the action flowing nicely, and kept me engaged even while level grinding.
Of course, what really makes this new version special is the audio and visual enhancements. Since Final Fantasy X/X-2 is an HD remastering and not a remake, its PlayStation 2 roots are still pretty apparent. That said, it looks and sounds dramatically better, with many of the jagged edges in the originals now smoothed out and little details added to textures. Everything from big towns to tiny trinkets look fantastic, and the rainbow hues of the land of Spira now pop in more vivid color. Character models for the main cast have been redone as well, and although they’re great for the most part, I found close-ups of their faces a bit… off at times. Their eyes seem less expressive than before, which gives them a slightly vacant look. And the lip sync problems that plagued the original PS2 versions are still present, which can be jarring at times.
Fortunately none of that is an issue in the FMV sequences, which still look absolutely amazing, and have been adjusted to accommodate widescreen TVs and the Vita screen. What’s surprising [and frustrating] is that you can’t skip past them. That may seem like a minor thing, but considering these movies can last for minutes at a time and often come right before a difficult boss fight, it makes zero sense to force people to sit through them – especially on the Vita version.
The musical score of Final Fantasy X has been overhauled as well, and though I prefer some of the original tracks to their remixed counterparts, I have to say I’m impressed with how many songs now seem to lend more presence and beauty to the world. X-2’s soundtrack did not get a remix, but it’s not like either game was hurting in that department to begin with.
As nice as the upgrades are, my favorite thing about this remastered version is all the extra goodies it comes with. Not only does it feature trophy support and the ability to cross-save between the PS3 and Vita versions, but North American fans are finally treated to extra gameplay content from the International Editions. Standout moments include taking on challenging new Super Bosses in X and capturing and training fiends with the Creature Creator in X-2. They made my playthroughs even more enjoyable– so much so that although it only takes 40 to 50 hours to complete each game, I easily spent twice as long exploring new areas, taking on new enemies, and acquiring rare items.
Extra story content also shows up on the disc, although to be honest I didn’t really enjoy the short movie, called “Eternal Calm,” or the roguelike minigame Final Fantasy X-2: Last Mission. Both give you a glimpse of what happens in the story after X and X-2 end, and though they’re not bad, they’re just not all that interesting. I would recommend steering clear of the 30-minute audio drama, which is incredibly weird and confusing.
Fans should also be aware that although both X and X-2 are cross save compatible, they’re not cross-buy, so if you want to take your Playstation 3 save on the go or load up your Vita save to a larger screen, you’re going to have to pay for the privilege.
Verdict
Final Fantasy X is a brilliant game that every JRPG fan should have played by now, and whether you’re experiencing it for the first time or returning for another playthrough, Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is outstanding. With enhanced art and music, tons of extra in-game content, cross-save compatibility, and bundling two huge games for the price of one, it’s a lot of bang for your buck. There’s so much to see and do, and being rewarded with new Trophies for going the extra mile with challenges and exploration feels great.
Is ff10 2 worth it?
There's so much to see and do beyond the storyFinal Fantasy X-2 is packed full of minigames and side activities, from the entertaining shooter Gunner's Gauntlet, to a revamped version of Blitzball. My personal favourite though, is the Creature Creator.
Is FFX remaster better than original?
Honestly, outside of some extra content added to the remastered version, a slightly altered UI and slightly better load times, this is basically the exact same game as the PS2 original, so you can't really go wrong with either version, though I tend to prefer the PS2 character models.
How long is the Final Fantasy X
50½ Hours - 154 Hours.
What is the difference between Final Fantasy X and remastered?
The most obvious change is the extensive graphical overhaul. Final Fantasy 10 and 10-2 for PS2 were designed with a native 512x416 resolution, while the PS3 and Vita remakes run in much higher native HD resolutions. The PS4 version goes even further by smoothing out the textures.