X-2 is the best Final Fantasy game.

[Sefie1999AD]

I somewhat agree with the OP, but for different reasons. I thought FFX was one of the worst FFs when I played it, and I had played all FFs from 1-10 back then. Meanwhile, I thought FFX-2 was a lot better game despite everyone hating it.

To mention a few things I greatly disliked about FFX, I thought Tidus was a horrible, whiny main character. I admit, I noticed on my 2nd playthough that he does get better near the end of the game, but it's a bit hard to like him when he's been so annoying throughout the game. This was the first FF game to have voice acting, and unfortunately, I thought the English voice actors of Tidus, Yuna and Seymour failed big-time. The battles felt like a chore to me, especially because the random encounter rate was so high sometimes, and also because I wanted to level up every character, so every battle dragged on with me recycling the characters, having 4 characters do nothing but defend, and 3 characters do the actual fighting. The latter is pretty much my own fault, though, as nobody forces me to level up all the characters.

The cutscenes felt longer than in any previous FF, and it's especially problematic when you can't skip them and they happen just before a major boss fight. It's seriously frustrating to lose to (SPOILER)Yunalesca, and then be forced to watch through the same long cutscene all over again. The addition of voice acting seemed to reduce the role of music more into ambient background music, making FFX one of the weakest soundtracks in the series, IMHO. Now that I think about it, the PS2 FF titles had arguably the weakest soundtracks in the FF series. On the other hand, FFIX and FFXIII/FFXIII-2 have some of my favorite soundtracks in the series. Finally, I thought FFX's mini-games were very disappointing. Cloisters of trials were extremely annoying, not to mention they were repeated several times in the game and as a compulsory part of the main game. Also, thunder dodging, butterfly catching, getting a perfect time for Chocobo races... yikes. At least Blitzball was enjoyable once you got used to it. As for the good things, I thought Auron and Rikku were enjoyable characters, the story is pretty epic and the ending is very beautiful and emotional.

Now for FFX-2. I thought the voice acting had improved considerably. Especially for Yuna. I also liked her character development. While her more cheerful features might be annoying to some, I liked the way how she changed from a doormat trying to please everyone to an independent character having her own free will and opinions. The story is pretty light-hearted in the beginning, but it does get darker and more emotional ever since the end of Episode 2.

Some have said that the battle system is horrible in X-2, but I didn't really think so. The battles are fast-paced and fun, and the ATB system used isn't much different from the one used in FFs 4-9. The job system wasn't bad, either. It was a bit similar to the ones used in FFIII, FFV and FF Tactics, and those FFs had really addictive battle systems, IMHO.

When it comes to cutscenes, fortunately you are allowed to skip them in X-2. I also liked how there's a save point before the final battle, and after a long cutscene, you're allowed to return to the save point, which wasn't the case in FFX. The final battle is neat in a way that (SPOILER)you'll get to beat "Tidus" (actually Shuyin) there, with Auron, Jecht and Braska cheering in the background. The scenes after the final battle and during the ending are enjoyable, even if the ending feels a bit rushed. There's also a "good" and a "perfect" ending for those who want some extra scenes.

It was interesting how FFX-2 made me care more about the world of Spira, and after playing the game, I also enjoyed FFX more than on my first playthrough.

EDIT: Just to clarify, I think FFX-2 is a great game, but it's definitely not the best FF.

[Dat Matt]

It's a good game hidden behind the layer of silly campiness. I really like the game, but I can see why people are put off by it.

[DMKA]

The battle system and the job system are the best in the series.

Nothing else about the game belongs anywhere near the top of a "Best in the series" list.

[Aulayna]

I actually love it, but it was ridiculously easy (not a pun...) to finish (not helping the not a pun thing here...) off.

[Aelitalily]

FFX-2 Is my favourite final fantasy game to date. I think what bothers me the most about the original post is the lack of ownership of the opinions being personal.

FFX-2 is often disregarded as it is one of the least popular - which is other peoples personal opinion that I do not happen to share.

I do not see the need to bash FFX based on the argument laid out in the original post, if it included some actual facts like the same way Sephiroth199AD has instead of personal opinion I would be able to relate much more. For example there is NO WAY in hell that I am going to try for the dodging lightning bolts, on the way through the area I think I maybe managed to dodge 2-3? LOL

[Yellow_Magic]

It terms of gameplay I think few jRPGs let alone FF games beat X-2.

I enjoyed the story when I played it as for a large section it didn't really take itself seriously and was honestly a nice change to the uber-seriousness of X.

With regards to both games, I don't really have a favourite because each one is good in its own way.

P.S. this scene will always hold a special place in my heart

[Ayen]

I like both, but can't say X-2 is the best despite some of the things they got right. I think your deductive skills could use a bit of work, though. Not sure how Yuna's character comes across as attention seeking and the battle system was far from slow. A chore I can concede. But I can say that about a lot of RPGs, to be frank.

[Sefie1999AD]

It terms of gameplay I think few jRPGs let alone FF games beat X-2.

I enjoyed the story when I played it as for a large section it didn't really take itself seriously and was honestly a nice change to the uber-seriousness of X.

That seems to be the case for both secondary parts in the series, namely FFX-2 and FFXIII-2. They both have a more light-hearted setting compared to the original game, and the games don't take themselves too seriously. The gameplay, though, is highly enjoyable for both. Strangely, the same seems to be true for FFV as well.

[metagloria]

No, it isn't the best final fantasy game, but I do enjoy it a lot.

This. I even like it better than X. For me, it's the fourth-best FF behind I, VII and XII.

[Yellow_Magic]

It terms of gameplay I think few jRPGs let alone FF games beat X-2.

I enjoyed the story when I played it as for a large section it didn't really take itself seriously and was honestly a nice change to the uber-seriousness of X.

That seems to be the case for both secondary parts in the series, namely FFX-2 and FFXIII-2. They both have a more light-hearted setting compared to the original game, and the games don't take themselves too seriously. The gameplay, though, is highly enjoyable for both. Strangely, the same seems to be true for FFV as well.

Yeah, I don't know why anyone would think FFV was to be taken seriously. At one point Exdeath hid as a splinter in someone's foot, for crying out loud

[Ayen]

It terms of gameplay I think few jRPGs let alone FF games beat X-2.

I enjoyed the story when I played it as for a large section it didn't really take itself seriously and was honestly a nice change to the uber-seriousness of X.

That seems to be the case for both secondary parts in the series, namely FFX-2 and FFXIII-2. They both have a more light-hearted setting compared to the original game, and the games don't take themselves too seriously. The gameplay, though, is highly enjoyable for both. Strangely, the same seems to be true for FFV as well.

Yeah, I don't know why anyone would think FFV was to be taken seriously. At one point Exdeath hid as a splinter in someone's foot, for crying out loud

That is without a doubt the greatest hiding place ever conceived. Long live FFV!

[Colonel Angus]

I thought the splinter was in her finger?Also, FFV inspired someone (ObstinateMelon) to create this:http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/20...on-d4l02dr.jpg

[Jiro]

Nice try.

A controversial statement? Maybe. But don't assume I am a troll. This game has heart and engulfed me into its world like no other.

The statement is controversial. I am glad that it has touched you. That doesn't justify you being wrong, though.

Let's start with Final Fantasy X, and why I think it's a

terrible game that should never have been created. NEVER. FFX is far from the masterpiece people claim it to be, and FFX2 is the only thing on this planet that justifies its existence.

Pro-tip: being better than something else doesn't make it good. A kick to the balls is better than being shot in the face, but I still wouldn't willingly go and seek it out. You've gotten me really excited to hear your carefully constructed claims and read your evidence that proves Final Fantasy X is a horrible game even though that's not why we're here.

Tidus was a terrible protagonist.

Wrong.

I can see why he is a dream thing that's not an authentic soul because nothing he does or says seems to have any substance.

Wrong, but at least it's witty.

I see his character arc as a metaphor for the ultimate fates of badly written fictional characters.

He has a character arc. You know that's a sign of good writing, right?

I laughed when he dissipated into nothingness.

So you're a jerk, too. Nice.

The plot of X was also dire.

Okay. In the immortal words of Pauline Hanson: Please explain.

machina? They're called machines, for god sake!

Start your words with a capital letter. Also, it is "God's sake" for future reference. Also, it seems you do not understand the concept of dialects, loan words, or even foreign languages.

And the Al Behd were basically Polish immigrant.

Final Fantasy X is terrible because a fictional race allegedly draws comparisons to Polish immigrants and you are racist. Gotcha.

Yuna's martyrdom was also too much to take. Every second, she played up to the role of the martyr, courting sympathy because she's gonna die and blah blah blah. Lots of people die, Yuna. We ALL die someday. She definitely abused her position as a summoner for attention and sympathy.

Oh, wow. You... you're an idiot. Yuna deliberately keeps Tidus in the dark because she doesn't want sympathy. I would be surprised that you missed such a fundamental aspect of the plot but your flawed arguments even thus far warned me you might have missed things like this. Martyrs are martyrs because they sacrifice themselves for a cause they believe in. You can't really abuse martyrdom for personal gain. I mean, the happy feels you get from people cheering you on as you go to die is great but, uh, your argument makes literally no sense. Also, way to distinguish between sacrificing yourself at like 20-years-old to protect the world for a couple months/years and being 100-years-old and dying peacefully in your sleep after a long life well lived.

Dona should have been the main character. Her no-nonsense quips made her fascinating.

Dona was a bitch. She was unnecessarily aggressive and condescending. She was not fascinating; she was a and I wanted to punch her in her half-naked stomach.

There are so many things wrong with this game; slow battle system, undeveloped characters, the trite religious allegory.

You introduce lists with a colon, not a semicolon. Please do not abuse punctuation. The battle system is only slow if you are slow; choose your commands fast and it can arguably be as fast as the ATB systems. The characters are not undeveloped; some are underdeveloped, but I'm not going to explain exactly how because you are clearly not going to return to read this and I am purely writing this as an exercise in anger expulsion. The religious allegory is one of the most obvious components of Final Fantasy X's narrative but that does not mean it is terrible. Indeed, as I linked in another thread, I wrote an article explaining how Wakka and Yevon are commentaries on the dangers of being blind to the truth and not being critical about your life.

Well, NONE of these flaws are present in FFX2.

From the Final Fantasy wikia page for Vegnagun: Vegnagun's design, particularly its moth-like wings on a locust body, is a reference to a popular design of the Judeo-Christian demon Beelzebub (one name also used for the Devil) referred to as Lord of Flies, taking the form of a demonic fly or locust. Yes, I can see exactly how religious allegories are absent from Final Fantasy X-2 and are thereby improving the quality of game immensely.

The characters have progressed...

It is amazing how time allows people time to change, isn't it?

Yuna is now genuinely a fame-hugry voluptuous woman who has cast off her pretensions,

Yuna wanted to give the people of Spira something else to comfort them now that her role as a summoner had ended. She gave them pop music. It's stupid, but it's there. She's not fame hungry; you can't get more famous than being the person who eradicated Sin forever. She's more relaxed and less pretentious, sure, but that's because she discarded the stuffy crap put on her by Yevon; she's already half way to this by the time Grand Maester Mika is discovered as an Unsent. You should pay more attention.

Rikku has decided to forego clothes and drop the innocence act,

And this is an improvement on her character how? Also, she was already severely underdressed in Final Fantasy X. The only perks to her reprisal in Final Fantasy X-2 are that she's no longer considered criminally underage in most Western countries any more so her blatant sexuality and fanservice is a little less scarring.

and Paine is a hearty, reliable lesbian, truly a welcome addition from the LGBT community.

I don't even recall it being confirmed that Paine is gay and even so that doesn't suddenly make her character good. She's portrayed as a bit of a bitch for most of the game, which isn't the most positive reflection on the LGBT+ community. Also you have not explained how any of these changes have improved their characters in the slightest.

LOVE the dresspheres.

Good for you. How does this make the game better?

I LOVE sphere break.

Good for you. How does this make the game better?

I LOVE that Dona gets more screen time.

Good for you. How does this make the game better?

I LOVE that Auran, Tidus are gone,

Good for you. How does this make the game better? Also: Auron. And use the word "and", don't abuse the journalist's comma. Additionally, Tidus is the smurfing catalyst for the plot, and is present in the Perfect End, and Auron's voice can be heard at one point, so you're entirely wrong.

and that the other characters are present but you can go through the game and ignore them till the very end if you so wish.

You are a spiteful creature and therefore the game is better?

I snubbed Wakka! he deserved it.

Because...? Part of making an argument is justifying your claims.

I LOVE LeBlanc.

I'm not surprised, considering that your favourite characters are Dona, and Yuna/Rikku/Paine when they're being sluttier.

Her wit, heart and mannerisms make her the most enjoyable Final Fantasy villain to date.

Oh wow, this is actually a decent argument.

She's like a sluttier Kefka, but camper and more down-to-earth.

Yep, of course. She's slutty, so she's good. I see. Remember how the game was panned because it was fanservice, and then people have been struggling to point out that there are actually decent parts to this game?

Her romance with Nooj is more real than any bond Cloud shared with Aries.

How are Cloud and Aerith* even relevant? What does "more real" even mean?

The non-linear narrative is amazing. A-MAAAAA-ZING.

It's not non-linear if you want the true ending. I do like that you have more freedom; it might be superficial but it is nice.

Infinitely better than FFX's cheap, linear, boring, preachy depressive story that is barren of life.

Do you know what a book is? Final Fantasy X is hardly preachy. Depressing does not equal bad. "Barren of life" means nothing unless you qualify the statement. Pauline Hanson, again.

FFX-2's story is simple but deep - it tells a story from the perspective of a young girl who just wants to find her old boyfriend, but has to deal with global issues and social problems.

That's not simple or deep at face value. Final Fantasy X-2's story is about love and the pain of letting go. Final Fantasy X-2's story is about subsistence and dealing with "the aftermath": the point after the battle where the passion fades but things have not returned to normal.

It deals with hot-button topics like war, social stratification, fanaticism, the true nature of love.

It doesn't provide any commentary on contemporary warfare, as far as I can remember. Just because fighting happens doesn't mean it's a comment. Your other comments are at least accurate enough despite having provided no examples.

And of course, Yuna self-development is amazing.

Oh? Really? Yuna becomes sentient and develops herself inside the coding of Final Fantasy X-2? I didn't realise this.

Paine's backstory is INTRICATE and DEEP and could have been an entire game in itself. Why do people dismiss her. Is it because she's GAY?

I don't recall any of her backstory. I'll take your word for it. People don't dismiss her because she's gay, and the fact that you love her so much seems to centre around the idea of lesbian sex. Also, signal your questions with a question mark.

All of the above lay blatant for the eyes to see in this game, along with amazing J-pop music and three overly-sexualized girls as main characters.

Are you citing the oversexualisation as a positive? Your points are not blatant enough to see, obviously, and I struggle to see how Final Fantasy X-2 is good simply for being better than Final Fantasy X, which is another point you haven't proved.

All in all, it's a great game.

I agree. But you haven't explained why anybody else should see your point of view. You suck at this. Don't quit your day job.

[Pumpkin]

I really like this game and I like it more than X but I disagree with a lot of your arguments.

Also, Yuna was not an attention whore in X. She was very modest, very selfless, and carried herself with dignity and tact. That is something very admirable and I very much like her character for it. I do also enjoy her development in X-2.

[Jibril]

hook line and sinker