Final Fantasy X 2

The sequel to Final Fantasy X and first actual sequel in the the Final Fantasy gaming world, Final Fantasy X 2 is a highly addicting game. Two years before the sequel's release, Final Fantasy X got high praise for its groundbreaking graphics and extremely entertaining gameplay. Final Fantasy X 2 game designers decided to stick with the old graphics and areas used in Final Fantasy X and basically copy and pasted them into the sequel. The good news, the game designers added in some great looking areas into the maps and the gameplay and plot definately make up for the not-so-great mistakes made in this sequal.

Final Fantasy X 2 is placed a few years after the previous one dropped off. Yuna, the "High Summoner", is the main character, working as a sphere hunter and viewed as a popular figure throughout the game. The storyline revolves around Yuna's lost lover and a new threat the Spira, the world of Final Fantasy X, shrouded in lies and deceit. New groups and leagues compete to rule Spira, while Yuna must decide who to back and who to fight. Final Fantasy X 2 offers various options in dialogue this time around, which makes gameplay different and replayable.

One of the more greatly noticed features of Final Fantasy X 2 that gamers tend to dislike is the numerous amount of mingames that are optional to play in the game, yet yield great items at times. The storyline can be completed by following the required missions, but to obtain an 100% completion level in the game, much work is required.

Final Fantasy X 2 offers a good stream of new characters, one being a main character in the Sphere Hunting trio, named Paine. The last main character is none other then Rikku, one of Yuna's guardians in Final Fantasy X. Together, the "Gullwings", as these Sphere Hunters call themselves, riding the blazing red airship the Celsuis, follow their...fearless leader Brother. This array of characters make the plot pretty comical and interesting.

One of the best gameplay features of Final Fantasy X 2 is the battle sequences. This time, character abilities are determined by "dresspheres", which determine classes differing from the sword bearing warrior to white magic abilities. These classes can be changed in battle via "garment grids" that let you place certain dresspheres on the grid for the option of changing into it during battle.

Battle sequences are much faster in Final Fantasy X 2, as characters attack basically immediately when a button is pressed. In battle, when characters attack within about two seconds of eachother, there is a teamwork function called chains. When chains are made, aka when characters attack right after eachother, attacks are hit for a greater damage. This makes gameplay and strategies increasingly entertaining, combined with the numerous dressphere classes and special classes that each character can obtain.

Even though the graphics and areas used in Final Fantasy X 2 are mostly from Final Fantasy X, the music is entirely redone and spectacular. Final Fantasy X 2 definately lives up to the musical level all other Final Fantasys have offered. My personal favorite song is actually the intro song and the rest of the soundtrack can compete with it.

After beating Final Fantasy X 2, the option to play the game again is available and upon choosing to do so, you keep all you're items, dresspheres, and abilities - basically just losing levels.  This makes completing the game with 100% to watch a secret ending video that much easier.  Final Fantasy X 2 is one of the best games out there.