Final Fantasy X-2

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
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  1. Cheat Code Central
    100
    It's a quality production from start to finish, always letting fans in on the joke and treats the FF universe with great respect and more importantly, a sense of fun that is always present on both sides of the screen simultaneously. Your Diva's await...
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  2. Game Chronicles
    100
    Paints an epic tale while sporting an uncommonly, enjoyably light-hearted approach to much of it. It holds its own not just as a sequel but as a true, full-fledged Final Fantasy title in its own right.
  3. GameNow
    100
    You can play this game for more than 80 hours before you find everything, and more important, you'll actually want to play it for that long. [Dec 2003, p.48]
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  5. Into Liquid Sky
    100
    The story was good for a sequel and while not as serious as the first one's story still can hold up to other RPGs out there.
  6. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    100
    The most fun I've had playing a Final Fantasy... In terms of pure fun? This one rocks. [Dec 2003, p.149]
  7. GameZone
    96
    Astounding!
  8. Next Level Gaming
    95
    This game is HUGE. There are so many places to go and explore on your journey it is not even funny!
  9. IGN
    94
    A brilliant and addictive romp through Spira that we're certainly glad to experience and one that could definitely mark the beginning of future opportunities for the franchise.
  10. Games Radar
    92
    It's sumptuously, head-swimmingly, plum-clutchingly lovely to look at. No, really, it's gorgeous. [Import]
  11. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    92
    Almost every deviation X-2 takes from the established Final Fantasy norm has paid off. [Jan 2004, p.136]
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  12. Play Magazine
    91
    Square has taken a risk with Final Fantasy X-2, and even if they don't always hit the mark, when they do, it's a glorious cupid shot right through our FF-Loving hearts. [Dec 2003, p.67]
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  13. Gamezilla!
    91
    While FFX2 could’ve been better, as it does rely significantly on the design of FFX, it’s still a top notch title. It can be a little too ‘pop’ music style, but once you get over that, it’s just as dramatic as any other FF game.
  14. 1UP
    90
    There's never been a Final Fantasy as free and as fun as X-2.
  15. GamingWorld X
    90
    With a less serious, but still meaningful storyline, one of the most playable battle systems around, and more side quests than you could keep track of, Final Fantasy X-2 is an RPG that will keep you occupied and satisfied for as long as any good game in its genre should.
  16. GamePro
    90
    Regardless of its shortcomings, FFX-2 is an engrossing RPG that’s worth the extensive time investment, although it may be a bit too awkward and saccharine for hardened FF vets.
  17. PSM Magazine
    90
    It's FFX-2's incredibly wacky, fruity charm that makes all the madness even more irresistible for fans who always secretly wanted to see what was really going on in the depths of Bevelle. [Feb 2004, p.18]
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  18. eToychest
    90
    A refreshing breath of fresh air in a series that had begun to feel very redundant.
  19. Total Video Games
    90
    It’s hard for me to say how guys are going to react to the way this game does feel quite female oriented, if even just in presentation, it’s success in Japan suggests that it won’t pose a problem. Just to be safe though they put half naked chicks in it.
  20. GameCritics
    90
    Looking past the graphically pleasing surface, there was plenty of gritty gameplay to hold my attention. Building up my characters by learning new dressphere abilities was more enjoyable than leveling in recent RPGs, as was the earnest and lighthearted telling of Yuna's story.
  21. GMR Magazine
    90
    As frivolous as it seems, FFX-2 is most effective later in the game, when the light stuff gives way to more serious tones. A bizarre, feisty triumph. [Dec 2003, p.90]
  22. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    90
    FF meets "Charlie's Angels" for a narcotic dose of the familiar RPG. [Jan 2007, p.106]
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  23. 3DAvenue
    90
    With the ability to travel all around Spira from the get go, this is also going to lead to spoilers from Final Fantasy X, but also allows you to do a bit of exploring should you get stuck at some point in the game.
  24. Game Informer
    88
    A respectable follow-up, but it doesn't come close to rekindling the magic of the original. [Dec 2003, p.132]
  25. Game Over Online
    87
    A strategy guide is a sheer necessity (not even close to being optional).
  26. ActionTrip
    86
    Easily an improvement over its predecessor, perhaps even twice as good. It certainly will have a good deal more replay value than the original, so if you are thinking of killing several dozen hours this would be a very good buy.
  27. Deeko
    85
    I won’t deny that this game is the veritable oddball in the Final Fantasy family – the guy at the table with numerous facial tattoos and body piercings – with the rest of his family being straight laced and true to the expectations of society – but that is why I enjoyed it so much.
  28. Gamer's Pulse
    84
    Give this improbable but welcome follow-up the benefit of the doubt and chances are you’ll find it offers some of the most action, humor, and--dare I say it--fun you’ve had with a console RPG in a long time.
  29. GameBiz
    84
    FFX-2 will keep the FF fan on the edge of their seat, but may cause the average gamer to die of boredom.
  30. TotalGames.net
    84
    As for the FFX initiates, you're going to like this a lot. Some parts may disappoint, some parts may even annoy you, but the experience as a whole is a good one, and you'll never question your purchase.
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  31. TotalPlayStation
    84
    Just make sure you’ve digested "Final Fantasy X" either way and you’ll walk away from X-2 with a nice, satisfying ending.
  32. Armchair Empire
    84
    It’s refined battle system, the use of a job system, and a much more palatable story make it well worth checking out for fans of console RPGs.
  33. Game Revolution
    83
    But if thongs and girl power RPG antics are wrong, then I don’t want to be right. Final Fantasy X-2 is a solid sequel that revives most of what made FF X a good game while offering some interesting (if a bit cheesy) dress-up features.
  34. GameSpot
    81
    At its best, FFX-2 is every bit as poignant, endearing, and engrossing as its forebears, and it's this similarity to stronger games in the series that ultimately makes X-2's minor flaws forgivable.
  35. Eurogamer
    80
    It's extraordinarily well crafted and polished, as most Square Enix games are, and should deliver a good forty hours of entertainment for your money. Once you get past the kitsch trappings of the game, there's a surprising amount of intelligence underlying it all.
  36. G4 TV
    80
    While the structure and sidequests are a little too hard core and not as good as we would've hoped for in the first true "Final Fantasy" sequel, Final Fantasy X-2 is a great game nonetheless.
  37. netjak
    80
    The incredible graphics and the sense of grandeur that comes along for the ride bolster the game's average gameplay, and save it from being something mediocre. If you don't buy into the hype, you're probably going to find it enjoyable for the most part...although you will cringe. [Import]
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  38. GameShark
    78
    The only real problem that I had with FFX-2 was that the game seems to flow at a very leisurely pace and not a rush to hurry and stop the villain.
  39. GameSpy
    75
    There's a name for what this game is; it's just not typical to console games. That's "expansion pack." And expansion packs don't cost full price. Sure, FFX-2 gives you another lengthy quest to play through, but it’s just not up to par with the best games in the Final Fantasy series.
  40. Edge Magazine
    70
    Over-familiarity and stagnation has bred a cancerous apathy among gaming's cognoscenti. FFX-2, like it or not, gives players a reason to take notice again. [Jan 2004, p.98]
  41. GamerFeed
    70
    The game suffers from things like a simplified feeling in terms of the ability to develop the characters, poor music choice, and lack of updated graphics.
  42. Adrenaline Vault
    70
    It all boils down to short playtime with tons of reused content, and a shallow storyline. Whereas I usually spend upwards of 70 hours to finish a Final Fantasy, I had this one licked in under 40, with plenty of side-quests and exploration included.
  43. games(TM)
    70
    While the core game is strong enough to hold its own in the Final Fantasy universe, the dress-up combat and whimsical approach could easily deter less patient or open-minded players. Even for the more easygoing gamer, there are times when the 'you go, girl' attitude can grate a little. [Jan 2004, p.102]
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  44. Inside Gamer Online
    68
    If you like the faster paces, western influenced idea this might be one hell of a game to you, but if you're looking for a FFX sequel, look elsewhere. This game doesn't meet expectations in any way.
  45. Yahoo!
    60
    A cheaply made, cost-effective sequel to "FFX" that reuses the graphics, characters, enemies, and areas to create a mostly new gameplay experience. You might love it, you might really, really hate it - or, like us, you might be torn... [Import]
  46. Gaming Age
    50
    X-2 comes off as a flashy expansion pack, and not the full fledged sequel promised. The mission-based approach will work for some, but to me, it comes off as a cheap excuse to skimp out on a proper narrative.

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best PS2 Game of 2003
1
#1 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2003
4
#4 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2003

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 648 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 389 out of 648
  2. Mixed: 159 out of 648
  3. Negative: 100 out of 648
  1. McGlone16
    Nov 25, 2010
    6
    If one were to ignore Final Fantasy X and just observe Final Fantasy X-2 by itself, you could conclude it as being light-hearted RPG with aIf one were to ignore Final Fantasy X and just observe Final Fantasy X-2 by itself, you could conclude it as being light-hearted RPG with a fun, refreshing, and dynamic battle system arguably one of the best in the series. However, the epic story of Final Fantasy X is a difficult act to follow, and X-2 fails to live up to the bar that its predecessor set. In comparison to the traditional, grand, save the world storyline of Final Fantasy X, one can't help to feel that X-2 is just an epilogue to the epic story of Final Fantasy X and lacks the legs to stand on its own. Final Fantasy X-2 has a mission based non-linear type gameplay where the player will find themselves running through the world of Spira visiting old friends and tying loose ends while introducing new characters along the way. Many of these missions lack any urgency or sometimes any relevancy to the plot and I found my self lacking motivation to complete them, only trudging through them so that I could unlock the "true" ending (as a heads up, in addition to completing all the side tasks and missions, you must watch the entirety of every cut-scene or else you will need to play through the game again if you are going for the perfect ending on one play-through) . Those who played Final Fantasy X will find themselves in complete shock as to how much Spira and Yuna has changed following the events of X. I would go as far as to say a complete 180 degree turn from the serious nature of the first game. While this change of pace and lack of urgency might be refreshing to some, I felt frustrated. Instead of getting sucked into world of Spira all over again I just found myself asking why?.

    While being more of a classic turn-based guy myself, I found X-2's take on the ATB battle system to be very fun. Players will find themselves switching between many classic FF jobs, around something called a garment grids which rewards players with various bonus's during battle for switching through different paths of jobs. The result is a flashy, fast paced battle which almost feels part fashion show, as each of the three main characters each have their own distinct look and style depending on the job.

    Despite the lackluster story I can still recommend Final Fantasy X-2 to all but the most hardcore Final Fantasy X purists. The gameplay is sound and the storyline does provide some memorable experiences. However those expecting another epic in the same vein of Final Fantasy X will be disappointed. It is a nice conclusion to the Final Fantasy X storyline but in the end, that's all it feels like. The storyline of X-2 is nothing more than an afterthought, which in the end puts a damper on an RPG that contains some of the most fun exciting battles the Final Fantasy series has every seen.    … Full Review »
  2. JoeshieB.
    Aug 14, 2006
    4
    Let me start by saying that the biggest problem I had with this game was the atmosphere. Simply put, I felt like I was watching my Final Let me start by saying that the biggest problem I had with this game was the atmosphere. Simply put, I felt like I was watching my Final Fantasy series being mashed with some horrible chick flick drivel. I mean, you have to go throw a concert in the Thunder Plains. A CONCERT! What's next? Help Yuna go pick out that fabulous prom dress she has always dreamed about or perhaps we should go try go try and find the elusive red lipstick that was stolen by the Al Bhed! Aside from the girlish atmosphere, the game also suffered from sub-par music and rather horrible voice acting. However, despite these huge problems, the game still has one saving grace. The battle system is one of the most enjoyable systems I have ever played. Overall, this game could have been so much more if it had dropped the Barbie or Pretty Pretty Princess approach.… Full Review »
  3. AlanD.
    Jul 7, 2004
    3
    As someone who has enjoyed the final fantasy series, I have never felt so disappointed by any of the games before. Following such an As someone who has enjoyed the final fantasy series, I have never felt so disappointed by any of the games before. Following such an excellent plot as final fantasy X has is not easy, but the lack of depth and "dumbing down" this game has are very disappointing and, for me, led to a pretty unchallenging and unfulfilling experience. The adaptation of the "Job" system into "garment grids" was a welcome addition to the battle system, but the music was the main area I had a problem with. As a music student myself I have always found Nobuo Uematsu's scores excellent and a vital part of the FF experience, but sadly he was not involved in the music of this game, which was so light and unimaginitive I found it depressing. Sadly I doubt Mr. Uematsu will be involved in writing music for FF games in the future, but I'm still hoping that he does, or I will be steering clear of future FF titles. Disappointing stuff. … Full Review »
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