Slashdot Mirror
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.")
This is a forum that has only a few subjects. The type of threads you find on GameFAQs include:
'POLL: HWO MANY OF U HAEV BETAEN THIS GAME?????//'
'I HAEV $35.72 WIHCH GAME SHULD I BUY MGS2 OR FFX?????/11'
'WUT GAME SI BETTAR FFX OR FF7&??1!'
'FF7 SEQUAL ON NGAGE TRU EOR NOT???????????????/'
You get the idea. Some people might not realise it, but there are a lot of sub-cultures, even sub-cultures of sub-cultures. Basically, the sub-culture of GameFAQs breaks down like this (broadest to most specific): video games -> console games -> RPGs -> popular RPGs. It's kind of like the whole MTV scene, except with video games. These people like ANYTHING that the big companies put out. Final Fantasy series especially.
I'm not going to lie and say i haven't enjoyed almost every FF game i've ever played, but these people are what normal people call 'fan boys', in the highest sense of the word. So, really, don't take much stock in what the people on GameFAQs say. When FFX-8 comes out and it's got Mickey Mouse and Britney Spears as the lead characters, you can expect the same rave reviews from the GameFAQs crowd that Square games always get.
Yeah.... Heh. I really sound like an ass, and i'll probably get modded down as a troll or flamebait, but somebody had to say it.
As for me, i reckon i don't expect too much out of it. I'm not one of the people in 'the scene' that take every single chance they can get to insult the game, but i've gathered sufficient evidence to form an expectation of the game. The opening FMV was retarded, i thought; the story doesn't make any sense; and the soundtrack is horrible. FFX didn't have as great of a soundtrack as older FF games did (and Nobuo's work on FFX was, for the most part, pretty mediocre), but it was still pretty damned good. I can't think of a single song on the FFX-2 soundtrack i can honestly say i like. :/
All my characters will be thieves ~grin~ The costumes alone seem to be enough of an improvement to buy the game IMHO. Are we returning to an age when FF was *good*?
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.
"Square somehow is becoming worst in their desire to never ever let go of FF"
Are you kidding? Final Fantasy brought the text based RPG (as opposed to say Zelda) to the masses. What was once a very specialized 'niche genre' is now a very profitable market. From a purely economical standpoint, Square would be insane to drop the Final Fantasy name. I bought my Playstation just to play Final Fantasy VII when it came out. Prior to that, I was happy with my SNES (due to the fact it had all of the good RPGs). Look how well FF has sold compared to Vagrant Story, The Bouncer, Chaos Legion, etc. Final Fantasy is the RPG for the masses. Final Fantasy 1,2, and 3 were probably a bit too difficult for the average gamer (particularly 1 and 2), but now the series appeals to just about everyone. And their profits reflect it.
"I'll be amazed when I see an FF game do something new, and not just pretty graphics and FMV"
Okay, you obviously haven't played Final Fantasy XI. They've created an MMORPG using the brilliantly designed Final Fantasy graphics, inferface, and world, and then linked Japan, America, and the PS2 market. The game is more innovative than any other MMORPG on the market due to its appeal and ease of use. I found everquest to be too difficult and complicated to get into but 2 days into it, I can't get enough FFXI. 4 guys in my hall went out and picked it up because it's just so damn good and easy to get into. They are all also new to MMORPGs, but it feels like we've all been playing them for years.
As for the FMV, I think the stories and cool characters are what's appealing to everyone. The stories are much better than most movies out today. I'd like to see them tone them down a bit (Xenosaga, ugh!), but all in all, Final Fantasy VII is probably one of the best games ever made. The atmosphere Square creats in each FF game is just incredible.
Personally, I think it's incredible that Square has taken Final Fantasy and evolved it into one of the most innovative, entertaining, and appealing series ever.
"In a Democracy, people get the kind of government they deserve." -Winston Churchill
I wonder if movie theatres stopped showing movies, if anyone would continue to go.
Think about your argument for a minute. The movie-going experience hasn't really changed in the last 100 years -- you go, sit in a seat, eat popcorn or junior mints or whatever, and watch and listen. And that's it.
And yet, roughly 100 years later, movies are more popular than ever. And to think that in that time all they've "innovated" was adding voice and colour!
People (myself included) keep buying the Final Fantasy series not for the gaming qualities of the series, but for the story. It's the experience that matters with the FF titles -- and every time I finish one of them, the experience has been worth it. It's not a game you can just pickup from time to time and play a bit, like, say, the Grand Turismo series, or pretty much any sports game -- anymore than you can watch just the first 15 minutes of Lord of the Rings or Star Wars now and then.
I personally find that the Final Fantasy titles take a very balanced approch to game elements vs. story elements. If you got rid of the story elements altogether, of course few people would want to buy the games -- the story is, after all, the entire point!
Yaz.