Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster review

[Asura]

Providing you learn the xxx for him on the boat heading to yyy...

I remember this being something that irritated me in FFX; if I recall correctly, the linear nature of the game makes it possible for you to miss stuff.

Isn't it the case that one of the Aeons can only be obtained by finding a secret thing in every temple you visit, and if you miss it, you can't go back?

I like to call those "guide book sale tactics".

[sj33]

It's an issue I have with the game too. While I've completed the game, I've not 100%'ed it yet because I need to get some of the hidden aeons - and because I missed certain items, I have to defeat the Dark Aeons to get some of them. Which means I need to level up. And there's not enough hours in a day when so many other games need playing too.

Even the Jecht Shot, I reloaded my save on the boat about 5 times before I managed it.

I really love the game, but the fact that there are missable secrets is poor. Made even worse by the fact that there are trophies linked with them.

[hudson]

Missable secrets as in you will need to start a new playthrough if you want to get them?

[Asura]

Missable secrets as in you will need to start a new playthrough if you want to get them?

I'm not sure, but it certainly has stuff that you'd miss, then even if you can go back for it later, by then it's not useful.

[sj33]

Missable secrets as in you will need to start a new playthrough if you want to get them?

Yeah, in that sense. Such as the Jecht Shot. And in the case of the aforementioned hidden aeons, if you miss the required items they're still obtainable, but hidden behind the Dark Aeons. Be prepared to put in another 20+ hours of grinding.

[hudson]

See I played it for a short while on PS2 (can't remember why I stopped), really fancy playing it. Sounds like a game perfect to take on my holidays.

X-2 any good?

[sj33]

Don't get me wrong - it's a great game, and I actually enjoy it even more playing it this time than I did back in the day. Just maybe consider keeping half an eye on a strategy guide if you want to get all the secrets etc.

X-2 gets a lot of criticism, but it is actually very good. Once people get over the 'girly' feel and all-female cast, the game actually has one of the most interesting battle systems of the series. The light-hearted tone of the game works really well (far too many JPRGs take themselves way too seriously!), and it's very open-ended in how you play the game. It's pointless without completing FFX first, but X-2 is recommended. Don't be put off by the haters, of which there are many.

[Panta Rhei]

X-2 is especially good when being rated after the XIII sequels. Square actually put some effort in X-2, it has better gameplay and the battle system is completely different. Its not recycled content at all. Spira is sort of how you expect it to be after the war was over and peace returned. I think the story isn't bad, no FFX ending retcon stuff or anything.

Jecht Shot can always be obtained within the same playthrough by the way. You just have to take the boat again, from Kilika I think.

[hudson]

Cool. I got it on Vita. Love me some turn based action. Haaa the overdrive inputs! Cool!

[shaffy_oppa]

I see a lot of people say they never got messages popping up on the screen during the Jecht Shot thing... either that or its just not really well explained.

[Panta Rhei]

Its not well explained imo.

All you have to to is press X + the pad into the direction the text balloon is in. When in the centre, its just X. Its childs play once you know this but I initially didn't figure it out too. Was waiting for 'Press X' prompts but its the actual text that are the prompts.

[Dogg Thang]

I'm at points I remember finding disappointing the first time around. The Mi'ihen High Road and beyond is just so linear with nothing to find or explore and this was the first FF that was like it. Just following a single narrow path for ages. It's something that Square then carried into other games and it always bugged me. It's why I never finished Crisis Core.

I do remember it opening out later but this point in the game is a bit of a chore. And it's been a long time since I've played a game where so much play time can result in so little progress.

[Dogg Thang]

I'm at Beville now and I'm coming to the conclusion that I don't really like this all that much.

[nakamura]

It's a good game but not a great one. The linearity is far more than previous. It really boils down to how much you like the plot and battles.

I like but found it hard to replay.

[Asura]

Man, I remembered the voices as sub-par, but honestly, these days it's almost painful to play.