Neither Dull-wings Nor Disasterriffic (Final Fantasy X-2 (PS2))

Member Name: scream4bruce

Product:	Final Fantasy X-2 (PS2)
Date:	06/04/09 (45 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice soundtrack, flexible job system in disguise, many a side - quest

Disadvantages: Recycled graphics, slight pauses in battle system, some bad costumes

A direct sequel to a Final Fantasy game? A party consisting of three somewhat scantily clad (and under the age of twenty) females? With a Charlie's Angels vibe (or should that be Buddy's Angels?) to boot? Sex sell-outs or double-daring? And what's with the question marks?

An RPG where small parts of the game might pass for platforming, but holding the circle button takes care of these. The voice-acting in Final Fantasy X-2 is an improvement over it's predecessor and thankfully, some scenes can be skipped this time around. However, much of the areas and graphics look as if, or are recycled from Final Fantasy X. Still, I like the use of colours and the shiny foil-like effects on the aeons. The dance choreography is cool and for each of the dresspheres is matching animation to go with it. What the female trio are wearing can be seen as revealing, but it's the male NPCs wearing costumes which show their belly whom are commiting the fashion crimes. However, the award for the worst dressed would go to rival sphere hunter LeBlanc.

Making up the Gullwings along with the female trio are Buddy, Brother, and Shinra. On board the Celsius you may be given the freedom to choose a location to go to, with "Hotspots" advancing the story, so it's not too linear a game. The battles are a reason why I tend to prefer turn-based battling. In the Active Time Battles, once a character's charge gauge is full, they can input a command. When using items and certain abilities, the command is carried out when the wait gauge becomes full. But sometimes it feels like there is a slight delay after the action and animation. And perhaps the fighting is not as fluid as it could have been. But there are positives. The Active Time Battles allow for successive attacking, and such "Chain" attacks sees to greater damage. Dresspheres can be changed in and out of battle for the unique abilities, so there is flexibility.

I like the game's light-hearted mood, which I feel is reflected in the soundtrack. No Nobuo Uematsu, but he is not missed too badly.

Final Fantasy X-2 can take around twenty hours to complete. Getting 100% completion can add considerably to the play time, though I did not feel strongly to replay this title despite there being a New Game Plus mode. As I've found it to be a good but not great RPG perhaps I wished I had waited until now to buy this game, since I've seen it going new for a fiver. Which I feel is good value for money.

Summary: Final Fantasy X-2 for PS2