Final Fantasy X-2

Square Enix

Sony PlayStation 2

I…

Final Fantasy X-2

Square Enix

Sony PlayStation 2

I will admit that the hype leading up to this game confused the heck out of me. Yuna, the simple-and-clean girl from “Final Fantasy X,” suddenly cut her dress short, started a singing career and learned to wield guns? The genre jump baffled new-school and old-school gamers alike.

Then I played it.

This game defiles everything I have ever held sacred. It reduces the cast of playable characters to a scant three – the smallest ever in a “Final Fantasy” game, its implementation of the Job System involves using magical-girl transformation sequences to change dresses mid-battle, and it serves as an actual sequel to its predecessor. In gaming terms, these transgressions stop just short of role-playing genocide.

But I forgive it on grounds of incredible beauty. Who says justice is blind?

Shortly after the end of “Final Fantasy X,” we find Yuna as a member of the Gullwings, a gang of sphere-hunters that could easily be mistaken for Charlie’s Angels. They travel all over the world, searching for treasure, meeting old friends and getting mired in the political tension following the breakup of the all-encompassing Yevon religion. Along the way, they find evidence of “you-know-who” – since you could rename Tidus in “FFX,” they can’t refer to him by name in this game – which spurs their desire to learn about what’s going on behind the scenes.

If I were to resort to using feminine, flowery metaphor in explaining this feminine, flowery game, I would describe it as a bumblebee in flight. Looking at it, you’d never think that it works. The graphics are mostly carry-overs from “FFX,” the completely mission-based gameplay is a glaring deviation from the classic “Final Fantasy” model, there are some aspects of jumping and climbing around that seem rather strangely implemented yet it works, as though supported by some unknown contraption.

We’ll call that contraption “sex appeal” and just be done with it.

Honestly speaking, “Final Fantasy X-2” has two things going for it – the plot and the gameplay. While the latter is reason enough to play the game, you won’t get the most out of it unless – or until – you’ve finished its precursor. This game doesn’t spend very much time explaining the returning cast of characters and many of the locales remain unchanged, so consider picking up a copy of “Final Fantasy X” if you haven’t already – it’s a “Greatest Hits” title that can be found for $20 pretty much anywhere.

I’m going to spare you the part of the review where I burst into song and just start shakin’ it all over the place, as I feel that the ladies of “FFX-2” do it far better than I ever could. If you can make it through this lengthy RPG experience without drooling all over your controller, you’ll have nothing to worry about while playing. Otherwise, I suggest you stock up on controllers.