Open up the job lookbook

Remaining Fantasy X-2 first hit the PlayStation 2 20 years in the past in Japan, on March 13, 2003. It was a really uncommon type of recreation for Sq. to make, each in tone and it being a direct sequel to a earlier Remaining Fantasy recreation. However 20 years later, I’d argue it’s a stellar entry within the collection, in methods well-exemplified by its dressphere system.

Spheres are the core of a variety of know-how in Spira, all through most of Remaining Fantasy X. After the occasions and revelations of FFX, although, Spheres all of the sudden turn out to be rather more in-demand. Crew YRP, or Yuna, Rikku, and Paine, kind up as sphere hunters to attempt to monitor down misplaced, uncommon spheres for large rewards.

It is showtime, ladies.

At present marks 20 years since Y, R, P first took place with the launch of Remaining Fantasy X-2.

What was your favorite reminiscence of returning to Spira? pic.twitter.com/2ataNgAYcd

— FINAL FANTASY (@FinalFantasy) March 13, 2023

Gameplay-wise, this leads into the dressphere system. We see a few of this within the recreation’s completely stellar intro, however Remaining Fantasy X-2 makes use of spheres as its imply of re-classing and altering jobs. Your occasion is, exterior of the creature seize function, simply Yuna, Rikku, and Paine. The range of their skills and what they do, then, stems from the dresspheres, which sees them don new outfits to invoke the ability of various jobs.

Moon prism energy

It’s a mechanic that pulls very direct, overt homage to the magical woman style. These transformations aren’t only a hot-swap of things or weapons, however a complete transformation sequence, the place the women shed the armor of 1 job and clad themselves in one other. Strike a pose, get a particular intro, all of the bells and whistles. It guidelines.

Issues about Remaining Fantasy X-2 previously swirled round worries that it could be too “girly“, the best way a jock in an ’80s film may discuss ballet earlier than all of the sudden turning into a primo dancer in a pumped-up coaching montage and altering his methods. Sure, Remaining Fantasy X-2 leans heavy into the model of this, embodying magical sailor warriors, runway fashions, and warrior princesses alike. The result’s an effusively fashionable and memorable battle system, crammed with incredible outfits that put style spins on basic Remaining Fantasy jobs.

Couple this with the quips in-game, and it’s an excellent set-up for a job system already. When Rikku remarks that her Darkish Knight armor “isn’t only for present” after a job swap, it’s a enjoyable battle comment that places a smile on my face. Some could bear in mind Remaining Fantasy XV fondly for the boys’ camaraderie, nevertheless it’s price noting the women of YRP had the same vibe going years earlier on the PlayStation 2.

However let’s speak concerning the battles now.

Navigating the Garment Grid

Swapping jobs on the fly and increase mastery in each already makes for an attention-grabbing set-up. What places Remaining Fantasy X-2 excessive is the way it layers the Garment Grid system over it, producing attention-grabbing fight by imposing limitations.

No YRP member can freely swap between all obtainable dresspheres. They might get entry to all of them, other than a couple of character-specific spheres, however every woman has their very own Garment Grid. Right here, you plot out what dresspheres can be found and which one they begin on.

Whereas this begins out as a straightforward solution to condense down the breadth of jobs obtainable, the easy motion of swapping dresspheres turns into its personal mechanic. Some Garment Grids could have gates that, when handed via, provide further boons; a bump in stats, or perhaps even entry to sure spells. Now, you’re having to plot out not only a good vary of jobs in your fighters, however a possible “route” for them to take, so as to activate their bonuses.

Bear in mind, you’re doing this whereas preventing one other enemy. In contrast to FFX‘s turn-based system, battles are (by default) in real-time in Remaining Fantasy X-2, utilizing a model of the Energetic Time Battle system. You would be attempting to work your approach via sure gates on the Grid and all of the sudden get hit by a giant assault. Or perhaps you need to maintain off swapping to a lower-health class, no less than till there’s a pause in an enemy’s assault. Layered over high are the particular dresspheres, a trump card shift that sees two of the women depart the battlefield for one to take middle stage of their “final” gear. It’s my humble opinion that Overwatch‘s D.va owes no less than somewhat bit to Rikku’s Machina Maw dressphere.

Strike a pose

This fluid, ever-changing fight system simply helps additional spotlight how particular person every dressphere is. The Songstress takes on a distinctly Bard skillset, whereas the Gunner has an precise “press R1 to fireplace” capacity that may arrange chain combos. Remaining Fantasy X-2‘s tackle the basic Blue Mage job, dubbed the Gun Mage right here, is one in all my favorites within the collection. And later unlockable jobs like Woman Luck and the Alchemist all deliver recent, new facets to fight. Critically, having “Combine” at all times obtainable and a bottomless pocket of Mega-Potions makes for a very attention-grabbing healer.

Remaining Fantasy X has typically been remembered within the higher echelon of Remaining Fantasy video games, and for good purpose: it’s an distinctive RPG. However right now, 20 years out from its unique launch in Japan, we must also pay some respects to the creative and pleasurable sequel it obtained in Remaining Fantasy X-2, and a dressphere system that stands the take a look at of time.