Quote Originally Posted by Formalhaut View Post
You could spend all day debating whether [x] is closely related to [y] or [z]. What's important is that it is pretty different.

I'm not sure how common it is for video game sequels to drastically change the art style. Zelda pulled it off by having it occupy another timeline altogether with Toon Link, but I can't think of any other examples off the top of my head. I wonder why they decided to change it? It's not as if the original art style was ugly.
Probably just the result of a different character designer.

I'd be surprised if X2 ends up being set in the same world/timeline as the original, judging from the trailer. I expect they'll do a Final Fantasy thing where they share themes but tell a completely different story in a new world.