I also really like Tidus... well, okay I find him pretty unlikeable at the start, but I do feel like people jump at any excuse to hate on him. I think his relationship with his parents is one of the most engaging character dynamics in the entire series, and it's tragic that Tidus's mother doesn't have a bigger focus in his backstory. I also think his narration adds a lot; it made me like Tidus even when his character would say or do something stupid.

As for X-2, I like the idea of a completion bonus, even if I think it was executed poorly.