A change of heart

Final Fantasy undergoes a transformation in X-2

FORMAT PS2 / PUB SQUARE ENIX / DEV SQUARE ENIX / RELEASED 2004 / SCORE 9/10

Offering not only new frills but twists on old favourites, the series’ first direct sequel presents an all-female playable cast and a dramatic reinterpretation of the job system. The opening keeps you guessing: “Wait, is Yuna a pop star now? Why are Yuna and Rikku fighting? Who’s this punk girl? Did a keyboardist just fly past on a hoverboard? What is going on?”

X-2 barks back “Quick, there’s no time to explain,” and as the opening number ends, Rikku – alongside new girl Paine – fights the apparent summoner-turned-- songstress, only for her to pirouette away. The pair give chase, beset by back up dancers, and eventually catch up with ‘Yuna’ who’s revealed to be an imposter using a stolen Garment Grid.

The real Yuna enters the fray of battle guns akimbo, the impostor is unmasked, and you are given access to the Garment Grid for the first time. By tapping o and selecting a dressphere you’re able to switch jobs mid-battle, triggering your first of many magical transformation sequences (giving you the respect any magical girl deserves, enemies wait patiently as you change). Not only does a dressphere change bestow new stats and abilities but each includes weapons, streamlining equipment to just two accessories per party member.

Whether you’re dancing and dazzling enemies all night as the Songstress, mashing uo and as the trigger-happy Gunner or burning enemies to a crisp as the Black Mage, a quick costume change can quickly turn the tide of battle. There are more than 15 dresspheres to discover, but that first time on the Garment Grid is something special.