Platform: Playstation 2

Genre: Role-Playing

Publisher: Sqaure EA

Developer: Sqaure

ETA: TBA

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Final Fantasy X 2

It’s been a running joke among RPG fans that there isn’t anything all that final about the Final Fantasy series, especially considering the series has 10 installments a number of gaiden side quests and an online installment in the form of Final Fantasy XI.  Now this has become even more apparent as an installment in the series is finally getting an actual out-and-out sequel with Final Fantasy X 2.  

It’ll be interesting to see what became of the world after the heroes of Final Fantasy X fought back Sin and must now pick up the pieces and repair their shattered land.  The game takes place two years after the events of the previous game where things are a lot quieter now that Sin isn’t going around laying waste to whatever's in its path, with Spira entering the period of “Eternal Calm”.  Things have changed quite a bit in this time as the people of Spira have largely rejected the teachings of Yevon and are now embracing the once forbidden 

machina, as the Al Bhed show everyone how to use this machinery.  Basically the population has chosen to carefully embrace technology again so long as it is used properly bringing about the “Machina Revolution”.  All the while most everyone is adjusting nicely to these changes, however Yuna is still very upset about losing Tidus after their final battle with Sin.  Eventually she finds out that he may in fact be alive playing Blitzball somewhere, so she sets out to find him and in the very least have closure to their relationship, and from there the game begins.

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Of all the features being incorporated into the game, two in particular stand out: non-linear mission based gameplay and the return of the Job Wheel System.  When it comes to console RPGs they have proven to be the epitome of linear gameplay over the last 15 years or so, almost always going from point A to point B to point C.  Even titles said to be non-linear by and large have been, for the most part, on the rails, as opposed to open-ended affairs like many non-linear PC RPGs.  That in mind it’ll be interesting to see how these non-linear missions manifest themselves in Final Fantasy X 2.  The eternal skeptic in me has my doubts, but I certainly wouldn’t mind Square proving me wrong on the matter. Of course the other big gameplay feature is Job Wheel System, last seen in Final Fantasy Tactics.  The ability to have such a high level of control over what class your characters can be is a nice departure from being locked in as a fighter, or a sorcerer, or whatever else, unable to change it.  It’s nice to see a Job System returning to Final Fantasy, and with several highly unconventional jobs thrown into the mix players should have something new to sink their teeth into, though I’ll admit that I reflexively cringe at the idea of a Pop Star being one of the jobs (generic R&B sing-alongs ahoy!).  

Whatever the case, Final Fantasy X 2 looks like it will give a lot more closure to a Final Fantasy game for a change, instead of being left to wonder whatever happened to the game’s world and its heroes after you finished the game, and with some potentially very fun gameplay features tossed in, RPG fans could have something very worthwhile headed their way.

Features:

• Mission based Final Fantasy allowing for non-linear gameplay.

• Story focuses on an all-female cast, including the introduction of a new main character.

• A variety of new and unique job classes such as “Gunner”, “Mascot”, “Gambler” and the atypical

“Pop Star” can be accessed utilizing the “Job Wheel” system

• For the first time in Final Fantasy, characters can switch job classes during battle using the Sphere plate.

• Transformation sequences, rivaling those found in Final Fantasy X.

• Renovated world map and airship, simplifying travel.

• A return to “Active Mode” which speeds up the pace of battles.

• More dynamic movements in battle previously unseen in Final Fantasy titles.  

- Mr. Nash

(March 22, 2003)