Final Fantasy X-2 - Hype, Dress-Up, Bender

Thanks to 1UP for its illustrated primer to Final Fantasy X-2, illustrating the PS2 RPG sequel that debuts in the U.S. on Tuesday. Advance press reviews vary somewhat, but fan reviews of the import version have been overwhelmingly favorable, with the GameFAQs messageboards also harboring a handy pre-release guide to "give you a feel of how the game is played". 1UP illustrates the 'dress-up' angle of FFX-2 well with their expose of "the new Job system and the costumes it entails", showcasing the Cher-like variety of outfits Yuna, Rikku, and Paine wear, and finally, Futurama fans may rejoice, because Bender himself, John Di Maggio returns in FFX-2 as the voice of Wakka. Update: 11/16 15:48 GMT by S : GameSpy has just added their own review of the game, giving it 3/5 ("It's not quite what you may be expecting.")

Comments

Vestal's opinions

[Spleener12]

Andrew Vestal, a fairly well-known writer of video game-related things currently living in Japan, purchased the game last March when it came out and has his impressions here, here, and finally here.

His verdict is basically that X-2, while very similar on the surface, is a very different game from X. It's not nearly as much about a serious epic quest. Most of the enjoyment comes from screwing around and doing all of the sidequests, so people who just run though the game as fast as they can are the ones who probably won't like it as much. It's a very light-hearted game in comparison to X, and if you can deal with that, you should be fine.

Re:Vestal's opinions

[Romothecus]

And if you can deal with one of your favorite franchises devolving into soft-core porn, you should be fine.

Or MORE than fine, depending on how you deal with it...

What a waste of a perfectly good opportunity to enrich the world created in FFX.