Welcome (back) to Spira! Originally released back in 2001, Final Fantasy X (and X-2 in 2003) brought the Final Fantasy series to the Playstation 2 and a whole new group of gamers. Now both games are back for more in 2014 with a slew of extra content that many players have never seen before. Based on the International versions of Final Fantasy X and X-2, these HD remasterings include new bosses and modes as well as a cinematic video tying X and X-2 together.
To make things a little easier, we’ve put together a quick run down explaining some of the additions and changes to the games, starting with Final Fantasy X
FINAL FANTASY X HD REMASTERED EDITION
Sphere Grid
The sphere grid returns completely intact but with one little twist this time around called the “Expert” Sphere Grid. The rules are the same but instead of each character beginning in their own section of the grid, everyone starts in the center of an entirely different Sphere Grid. This allows you to customize how each character develops right as the game begins as opposed to being on a fairly set development track until later in the story.
Dark Aeons and Pennance
After the party gains permanent access to the airship near the end of the game, several previous locations become blocked off and summoners with Dark Aeons appear throughout Spira. Tracking down and defeating all of the Dark Aeons unlocks the hidden boss Pennance, one of the hardest optional bosses in the series’ history. In addition, the Dark Aeons themselves drop new and powerful equipment.
FINAL FANTASY X-2 HD REMASTERED EDITION
Other than general tweaks to the performance of the overall game, the core game of Final Fantasy X-s is mostly unchanged aside from the addition of two new dresspheres. Instead, the International Edition offers two additional features, the Fiend Arena/Creature Creator and Last Mission.
The Fiend Arena is similar to Final Fantasy X’s Monster Arena in that you can capture, train and fight with monsters from all over Spira using special pots to capture them. You can even recruit some of your old friends from Final Fantasy X for the arena! There are also fantastic prizes to be won in the tournaments, including one of the two new dresspheres
Last Mission is set three months after the conclusion of X-2s’s main story. The Gullwings meet up to explore a mysterious tower, discussing the events that have passed since X-2’s ending over the course of an enormous 80 floor dungeon. Last Mission also brings with it a totally unique structure to its gameplay, which we will be covering in the coming days.
Published: Mar 21, 2014 05:17 pm