Hooboy, are we ready for FFX-2. The latest screens kicked over to us from Square along with a select few 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.


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[sub]Images (C)2003 SQUARE
Main Character Design: Tetsuya Nomura
Select Images' Illustration: Tetsu Tsukamoto
FFX Logo Image Illustration: (C)2003 Yoshitaka Amano[/sub]