X-2 vs. XIII-2

[Del Murder]

The storylines for both were fairly equally ludicrous. I probably prefer XIII-2's story slightly better because it had time travel, even if the time travel didn't make a ton of sense and didn't seem to matter in the end.

As for characters, X-2 had Yuna and Rikku who for some reason were much more annoying versions of their X characters, whom I liked. However, it did have Paine, who was pretty cool. XIII-2 had Serah who was more annoying than anyone in X-2 but it also had Noel who I thought was a very good character (great character even). So XIII-2 wins by an edge here.

Gameplay, X-2 wins hands down. It has the best ATB of the entire FF series. Chaining attacks and having job changes mid-battle were great additions. Put a version of this in FFXIII and it's a much better game. Unfortunately, the XIII series evolved the ATB in all the wrong directions. XIII-2 did a great job fixing some of the most glaring problems from XIII that never should have been there in the first place (game over when leader dies? Come on, SE) but it was still that inferior paradigm system with the uninspiring crystarium.

Overall I give the edge to X-2 even though XIII-2 is slightly better in the non-gameplay elements. X-2 was just overall more fun.

[Fynn]

Yeah, that's a rant I didn't wanna go on. Going on a tangent about misogyny and the patriarchy in a lighthearted game forum didn't really feel appropriate

I often find myself in the same situation when talking about X-2. I mean, it's a fun game, but really... I can only imagine that women had no say at any point in the process. Otherwise, surely they would have gone "Hang on a moment. Are you REALLY going to do that? REALLY?" at some points.

I didn't really mean the game at that point. Sure, there's fanservice, but at least the girls DO a lot of their volition and there is some girl power notions involved, however problematic. Most of all, it's just brainless fun. I'm much more bothere by the notion "it's made for girls so it's bad", but yeah, I don't wanna go there now and ruin everything, point fingers, yadda-yadda

[Saber]

I just said that cause as a guy I like to get into the role of the characters.

[Mirage]

What's that got to do with it?

[Saber]

I'll like to go more into dept about why I said what I said.

I love both games. I've played them numerous times and had lots of fun doing so. When I say it's a "girls game" I mean there are no men roles in it. Yeah you got monster collections in the updated PS3 and PS4 versions. Really though Yuna, Rikku and Paine are the main characters. To me it's a girls game but I still played it cause I love final fantasy. I even got three iron dukes in the original which is pretty hard. I've had many playthroughs and I love the battle system. To me though it does lean more towards female community. I don't see how people don't understand that,

To me Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a well balanced game for all audiences. I've spent many playthroughs on it and ended up with everything. The topic is which do I like better. I actually like Final Fantasy XIII-2 more. I don't mean to offend anyone.

[Mirage]

Yeah but does that impede your ability to get into the role?

[Saber]

Yeah but does that impede your ability to get into the role?

Yeah I couldn't relate with the cast of X-2 as much.

[Mirage]

Isn't that just because those particular characters weren't super great in that game?

[Forsaken Lover]

I would say Yuna is a much better character in X-2 than X.

[Mirage]

I would actually be inclined to agree. For the most part. Rikku is more worse than yuna is more better, though .

[Forsaken Lover]

I can sadly agree with that. They totally stole half her IQ Points in order to make their Powerpuff Girls dynamic work better.

X Rikku might have been the typical hyper/happy girl but she was actually pretty smart and together. Tidus was a bigger example oft the hyper/idiot type. Who are weak to Serious/Stoic Types in my Animemon.

[Mirage]

Yeah, Rikku wasn't really very hyperactive in X (believe me, I know a lot about this), but she changed completely in the sequel. She was energetic, possibly because she was young, extroverted and smart, but that's really it for the first game. She's actually pretty reasonable and collected for the most part, except when she fears for her cousin's life.

[Forsaken Lover]

I hate to bring this up but if there's one area XIII-2 tapdances all over X-2 it's music. X-2 has several really amazing songs but they are adrift in a sea of mediocrity.

[Mirage]

FF13-2 had some of the best music, even if it was a lot of recycling from the first game. The first game did however also have good music.

[Fynn]

I would say Yuna is a much better character in X-2 than X.

I actually agree with this as well!

Can't agree on the music, though. XIII-2 has a couple amazing tracks, but overall I feel Mizuta and, uh, that other... guy, just kind of held back Hamauzu. I still think XIII has the best soundtrack of the trilogy.