if you can over look the fact that X-2 isn't the 'next final fantasy' then you can have a great time revisiting Spira.
Before the game even hit shelves in Japan, people here in the West were already running around in circles. "THIS IS A HORRIBLE IDEA WHAT ARE THEY DOING?" one would yell. "I HATE THIS GAME" another would say without playing it at all.
It's sad to report that those same people are still running around crying. Final Fantasy X-2 is not what many expected or wanted. I was disappointed in some ways because i wanted that grand experience from FFX repeated. Square had other ideas in mind of course, and went a completely different way with X-2...not that it is a bad thing mind you.
X-2 takes place two years after FFX. You'll play as Yuna, along with our favorite Albhed--no, not Brother you idiot! Rikku!!--and you'll be introduced to a new character, Paine. The girls are 'sphere hunters' who search for spheres of Spira's past and try to make some gil out of it all. Of course, Yuna still yearns for that silly blitzball player and Paine looks shifty and cold, and Rikku still prances around carelessly.
The tone of the game is very light and 'fun'. The battle system reintroduces themes from previous games with the Job system. People whine about how it's like 'playing dress up' or whatever, but I found it to be rather varied and deep. I liked the variety of jobs and combinations that I could give my three charlie's angels...i mean...sphere hunters....You can chain up attacks, switch in mid battle, or even gather your strength for a special dressphere with Aeon-like powers.
Some things one the gameplay front that would have been nice are, story for one. While the story is ok, the 'free mission mode' that allows you to travel Spira at will, leaves the gameplay both deep and shallow. If you simply play areas that progress the game, you're missing out on a heck of a lot and it'll bite you in the rear by the end of the game. Also, if you don't take the time to play all the areas of Spira--the game will be VERY short.
The graphics are fine. They are basically the same as Final Fantasy X...although I feel that the graphics are slightly better in FFX. The use of regular character models is higher in X-2, but the graphics are still pretty darn good.
I'm split on the sound. Is it good? I suppose, most of the music goes with the theme and area that you're in...but some of the songs annoy me to death. Also, the pop-music that Yuna now sings won't appeal to everyone, but I did personally enjoy it.
Overall, Final Fantasy X-2 let me down and raised me up. I had hoped it would be gritty and deep like X, but it truly isn't, it's fun and light. Fun is the key word here, because if you can over look the fact that X-2 isn't the 'next final fantasy' then you can have a great time revisiting Spira.