Final Fantasy X-2
Square finally decides to give a Final Fantasy game a proper sequel, updated screens and a boatload of new info.
Published: January 11, 2003
Hooboy, are we ready for FFX-2. The latest screens kicked over to us from Square along with a select from little tidbits on everything from gameplay to story to characters have us in a tizzy. Before we show you the nearly 30 new screens eagerly awaiting your perusal, we'll pass along what we know about the upcoming first proper sequel in Final Fantasy history.
For those that haven't gotten the full skinny, head over to our preview (or, if you're already reading the preview, scroll down a bit) for the first details, then head back here for the newest update. Got all that? Good, cause here we go.
-If you haven't finished Final Fantasy X, don't read any farther; there be spoilers ahead-
FFX-2 is continuation of FFX, but more specifically the International version of FFX that was released only in Japan. Along with the updates that the U.S. release of Final Fantasy X got, a slew of new goodies were added to the International version for the Japanese audience to pour over. Included on a separate DVD were interviews with English and Japanese voice actors, promo movies, a music video for the theme song, typical Square teasers and demos of upcoming games, and most importantly a short video titled simply "The Eternal Calm." The video showed grainy footage of a Bitzball player in Tidus' garb, chained up in a dungeon. The footage is enough for Yuna to set out to rescue her love from wherever he may being held.
This "Eternal Calm" actually refers to Spira in the wake of Sin's defeat. Led by Yuna, the Al Bhed have joined up with the former followers of Yevon and have embraced machina technology. Over two years have passed since Sin was destroyed, and while the people rejoice in a world without the constant threat of an ultimate evil, Yuna still misses Tidus. The video she receives from Rikku showing Tidus locked up is all she needs to begin her new quest.
The quest itself is still rather vague beyond the simple "rescue Tidus" objective, but we do know far more about what will take place during gameplay. In addition to the new moves the characters (and might we add the all-girl cast of characters) can perform, the already impressive battle system has been significantly reworked. The "Active Mode" hinted at in the last batch of screens actually refers to the battle system itself, which takes place not in the turn-based confines of FFX, but the old-school Final Fantasy "real-time" system. You'll still cycle through commands in typical FF fashion, but in a nod to Final Fantasy IV, enemies and allies can now attack and move while you're picking your option.
Also added is a job class system, an element plucked from the horrendously addictive Final Fantasy Tactics. Characters can now pick from a variety of roles that influence their abilities, with jobs ranging from "Mascot" to "Gunner" to "Gambler," and even the uber-intriguing "Pop Star." What's interesting is that you can actually change roles during battle, shifting not only characters, but their abilities as well.
Travel has been gussied up as well, with a new world map system and airship travel, though hopefully things will be less linear than FFX's world map, and it appears that there will be more interaction with the crew of airships, as well as the possibility of multiple ships to take command of, as the new batch of screens hints at.
As mentioned before, the main cast of characters will certainly interest the male gamer population. While it seems most of the characters from FFX will make cameos or provide info, the controllable cast will be entirely female, including an all new playable main character seen in the new shots. It appears Yuna's short-shorts aren't the only fetching update to Spira.
Story details and specific locations have yet to be revealed, but we'll keep you in the loop as we get more. For now, enjoy these new screens and know that you're not the only ones who want this game ASAP.
October 27, 2002: Yeah, you read right, the first Final Fantasy sequel in the series' history. Sure, there's been eleven FF games released over the years, but each one was a self-contained game in its own right, with nothing to do with the previous games. For the first time, Square has decided to expand a universe beyond a single game, and Spira seems like a plenty good place to start.
There's not much known about the simply-titled Final Fantasy X-2, but what we do know, we'll pass on to you. The most concrete of details lies in the changes to the core gameplay. While still certainly an RPG, more adventure game elements have entered into the mix. Yuna seems to have changed much in the two years since the last game ended. She's now a gun-totin', short-short wearin' genuine badass, and to reflect that, three new major moves have been introduced. Yuna can now jump, climb and dash around the world, though how this will actually be implemented remains to be seen. One of the screenshots below also reveals an "Active Mode" for the battle system, but what this actually means is still a mystery.
That much is known. Reports from around the net indicate that the rumors of two side-quest sequels are true, enabling you to play as both Yuna and Rikku, but both in the same game, not in two separate versions as previously thought.
The screens you'll see here do little to paint a bigger picture of the post-Sin world of Spira, but there are some interesting tidbits. The shots of Kilika show that the town has rebuilt itself after the devastating attack by Sin, though it doesn't appear to have many inhabitants (it's unclear if this is because they're simply not in the build of the game the shots were taken from, or if this is a plot point). It appears Machina technology has been embraced, and will probably be used heavily throughout the game.
There's still plenty of unanswered questions, the biggest being exactly what part the other characters from FFX will play in the sequel. The Active mode battle system and the new moves will certainly introduce some variety into gameplay that had already received a welcome shot in the arm in the form of one of the best turn-based RPG battle systems ever made, but exactly how they'll factor in is still a rather large question mark. And of course, the question on everyone's mind will be exactly when the game will be available here in the States.
For those that haven't gotten the full skinny, head over to our preview (or, if you're already reading the preview, scroll down a bit) for the first details, then head back here for the newest update. Got all that? Good, cause here we go.
-If you haven't finished Final Fantasy X, don't read any farther; there be spoilers ahead-
FFX-2 is continuation of FFX, but more specifically the International version of FFX that was released only in Japan. Along with the updates that the U.S. release of Final Fantasy X got, a slew of new goodies were added to the International version for the Japanese audience to pour over. Included on a separate DVD were interviews with English and Japanese voice actors, promo movies, a music video for the theme song, typical Square teasers and demos of upcoming games, and most importantly a short video titled simply "The Eternal Calm." The video showed grainy footage of a Bitzball player in Tidus' garb, chained up in a dungeon. The footage is enough for Yuna to set out to rescue her love from wherever he may being held.
This "Eternal Calm" actually refers to Spira in the wake of Sin's defeat. Led by Yuna, the Al Bhed have joined up with the former followers of Yevon and have embraced machina technology. Over two years have passed since Sin was destroyed, and while the people rejoice in a world without the constant threat of an ultimate evil, Yuna still misses Tidus. The video she receives from Rikku showing Tidus locked up is all she needs to begin her new quest.
The quest itself is still rather vague beyond the simple "rescue Tidus" objective, but we do know far more about what will take place during gameplay. In addition to the new moves the characters (and might we add the all-girl cast of characters) can perform, the already impressive battle system has been significantly reworked. The "Active Mode" hinted at in the last batch of screens actually refers to the battle system itself, which takes place not in the turn-based confines of FFX, but the old-school Final Fantasy "real-time" system. You'll still cycle through commands in typical FF fashion, but in a nod to Final Fantasy IV, enemies and allies can now attack and move while you're picking your option.
Also added is a job class system, an element plucked from the horrendously addictive Final Fantasy Tactics. Characters can now pick from a variety of roles that influence their abilities, with jobs ranging from "Mascot" to "Gunner" to "Gambler," and even the uber-intriguing "Pop Star." What's interesting is that you can actually change roles during battle, shifting not only characters, but their abilities as well.
Travel has been gussied up as well, with a new world map system and airship travel, though hopefully things will be less linear than FFX's world map, and it appears that there will be more interaction with the crew of airships, as well as the possibility of multiple ships to take command of, as the new batch of screens hints at.
As mentioned before, the main cast of characters will certainly interest the male gamer population. While it seems most of the characters from FFX will make cameos or provide info, the controllable cast will be entirely female, including an all new playable main character seen in the new shots. It appears Yuna's short-shorts aren't the only fetching update to Spira.
Story details and specific locations have yet to be revealed, but we'll keep you in the loop as we get more. For now, enjoy these new screens and know that you're not the only ones who want this game ASAP.
October 27, 2002: Yeah, you read right, the first Final Fantasy sequel in the series' history. Sure, there's been eleven FF games released over the years, but each one was a self-contained game in its own right, with nothing to do with the previous games. For the first time, Square has decided to expand a universe beyond a single game, and Spira seems like a plenty good place to start.
There's not much known about the simply-titled Final Fantasy X-2, but what we do know, we'll pass on to you. The most concrete of details lies in the changes to the core gameplay. While still certainly an RPG, more adventure game elements have entered into the mix. Yuna seems to have changed much in the two years since the last game ended. She's now a gun-totin', short-short wearin' genuine badass, and to reflect that, three new major moves have been introduced. Yuna can now jump, climb and dash around the world, though how this will actually be implemented remains to be seen. One of the screenshots below also reveals an "Active Mode" for the battle system, but what this actually means is still a mystery.
That much is known. Reports from around the net indicate that the rumors of two side-quest sequels are true, enabling you to play as both Yuna and Rikku, but both in the same game, not in two separate versions as previously thought.
The screens you'll see here do little to paint a bigger picture of the post-Sin world of Spira, but there are some interesting tidbits. The shots of Kilika show that the town has rebuilt itself after the devastating attack by Sin, though it doesn't appear to have many inhabitants (it's unclear if this is because they're simply not in the build of the game the shots were taken from, or if this is a plot point). It appears Machina technology has been embraced, and will probably be used heavily throughout the game.
There's still plenty of unanswered questions, the biggest being exactly what part the other characters from FFX will play in the sequel. The Active mode battle system and the new moves will certainly introduce some variety into gameplay that had already received a welcome shot in the arm in the form of one of the best turn-based RPG battle systems ever made, but exactly how they'll factor in is still a rather large question mark. And of course, the question on everyone's mind will be exactly when the game will be available here in the States.