Two years after the unforgettable end of Final Fantasy X, Square-Enix was ready to launch FF series' very first direct sequel in the form of a mission-based RPG. When certain characters returned with funkier hair style and less clothes, tremendous drama was stirred among long-time FF fans like woah. And the gameplay? Don't even remind me.
Though it was still a good excuse for people to drain their wallets, including my own.
Code Runaway
Two years after the defeat of Sin, High Summoner Yuna was feeling an empty hole in her heart. As Spira marched into an era of rapid change, many people turned to Yuna for guidance, but all she wanted was to live a peaceful life with her loved ones. Not to mention her most beloved was taken away from her forever in the last war, or so did she believe.
Until Rikku brought a sphere that shattered all Yuna's hesitation to live more for herself.
Spira of FFX-2 is not the one we knew and worshipped (or for some players, loathed) in FFX. A new social structure became necessary after Yevon's downfall, and three main factions emerged based on different needs of people as a result. (Though one of them is quite neutral politically) But Yuna knew she couldn't join any of them or civil conflicts will never cease. Motivated by Rikku's sphere and a desire to fly again, Yuna chose to become a sphere hunter, a job that enabled her to travel around the world for clues of her lost love while still benefiting Spira's knowledge bank. She meets many new people and friends on her way, and before we knew, Yuna learned how to laugh out loud like normal people of her age would.
It is during said journey that a tragedy from 1000 years ago becomes unveiled, reminding Yuna of her own experience from two years ago. Together with her friends, now Yuna must free a certain vengeful soul from its past in order to save Spira from Bevelle's life-threatening machina, during which old lovers are reunited and new promises fulfilled. Some epic adventure that is.
Impression
Gameplay and fashion issues aside, I genuinely enjoyed FFX as a whole. The last quarter of the game made me choke a few times - that's a very positive sign in my book of gaming - and its music simply hit my Bullseye. Compared to that, FFX-2 was a strange occasion. The plot was not as thrown together, being a mission-style game based on all sorts of modern equipment, though still jolly in its own way. And boy, the gorgeous new characters we get! There's no Final Fantasy I can ever dislike in its entirety, surprise surprise.
By the way, I adored FFX-2's perfect ending with my whole heart. I'm a hopeless sap like that.