The Story of Final Fantasy X-2 is Good Actually | Story Analysis

[@Bobthepetferret]

"Um...actually....Tidus doesn't actually travel through time" shh. It's okay. I know. You don't have to correct me. I call him Yuna's "literal dream boy" at another point in the video. I know what's up. I'm just describing how FFX sets itself up early on. "But no one else has explained it to you" Oh they have. So you don't need to. Relax. Cool your nerd jets.

[@HolyHolyHandGrenade]

...People really feel the need to comment that? You. You literally _expressly_ address that in the video. (Also, hi, new subscriber here, I have no idea what else you've done, but this explains so much about why I found X so unsatisfying, Ima go play X2 asap now, so thanks for that.)

[@Bobthepetferret]

@@HolyHolyHandGrenade Thanks for subscribing! Welcome! And hopefully you enjoy X-2! And yeah, it's happened a few times, enough for me to feel the need to address it. As much as it shouldn't need addressing.

[@paulbrickler]

Zanarkand was destroyed HOW long ago? I think it's OK to say he transversed time and reality.

[@BEGMING-s1y]

@bobthepetferret Epic response sir.....loved it. And the video is top notch. It gained you a like and a sub from me, even before i read your response. 2 👍 up sir!!

[@ThisisCitrus]

@@paulbrickler Yeah, and Tidus was never there, he is a dream of the fayth, so he didn't time travel.

[@BurlASSque]

I always liked the idea that as soon as sin is defeated people start fighting each other. It is so realistic in that we are currently living in the most peaceful time in history likely and yet people find the most insane excuses to fight. For Yuna though she sacrificed so much to bring peace and these idiots just fight each other. It would be so frustrating. It explains why her personality changes due to frustration.

[@tryhardnobouken465]

I don't think we life in the most peacefull times in history, quite the oppesite in my view people die left and right and in far greater numbers then they used to even in the 1940's. Life expectancie also went down quite a bit. + We living basicly in a legal slave society now. Atleast makes me think that people out there have atleast a reason for why they fight. So i don't see corelation to our times that "peacefull" epochs create people that want to fight. As long as a 2 class system exists, with people feeling superior there are bount to be people that want to go against that. This is not the case in FFX-2 since every person is handeled equally. Even the Al Bhet are not bound to there "mistakes" in the past. It makes sense tho that militas would form after the collaps of the faith of yevon since power vaccum's want to get filled. So the game with its factions still rings true.

[@samoth5161]

​@tryhardnobouken465 you reference the 1940s, when the holocaust was happening, and say that was more peaceful than today?

[@tryhardnobouken465]

I wouldn't call WW2 Peacefull by any means, i just stating that the Statistics for overall deaths were lower then our current times, and that there are people now who see those statistics as motivation for there fighting. They would not fight if the world is truely peacefull. @@samoth5161

[@mr.picklesTROLL]

​@@tryhardnobouken465edgy weeb, you watch too much anime. you should try touching some grass and attend some history class. 😂

[@Genghis420Khan]

​@@samoth5161or the holodomor.

[@heeeyyy2947]

I just beat X-2 and I can’t even begin to explain how much I love it- and I felt like I wouldn’t find any videos praising it until I found you: absolutely amazing, I couldn’t agree more, and subscribed!

[@Bobthepetferret]

It's a great game that doesn't get enough respect, so I felt that if no one else will, I'll give it that respect. Thanks for the sub btw!

[@Grieves0001]

but did you beat the Via Infinito, Trema is a bitch

[@Jungle-Run]

i like all the extra bits like that 100 floors to trema and that airship creature capture thing which has tournaments to unlock good accessories but requires alot of grinding and then of course tough super bosses available to take on 🤙

[@TheManaTree777]

Finally someone who understands Yuna’s character in X-2! Great video!

[@Someguyhere111]

It's like if you have a story set during a global war, then a sequel story set in a post-war peace time. The tones are naturally gonna be different. The thing with Yuna is, she always had playful and energetic side to her, which she usually let out around Tidus. In particular her talk of everything she'd do when she visited his Zanarkand. But as a Summoner she had a role to play and an image to keep, so she had to be reserved. With her effectively retired from that, she was able to let her hair down. X-2 is honestly a fascinating look into how people and societies change in a post-war era (in this case post-Sin), but people were just expecting it to maintain the status quo of X even though X's whole purpose was breaking the cycle so the world could move forwards. Edit: Also fun fact, in Opera Omnia, Braska mentions that Yuna was always a bit of a tomboy as a child.

[@Bobthepetferret]

Maintaining the status quo is the problem I think people have with it. It's kind of a problem with a lot of game series - someone tries something new and the audience reacts negatively because they just wanted more of the same. Probably why we're getting so many remakes lately

[@Tyranastrasza]

@@Bobthepetferret It's weird coming from supposed fan of a serie notorius for shaking things up and not afraid to change core gameplay mechanics with each installments.

[@ariannaroncato5361]

Braska also made more than one jokes about Ject getting hurt in and out of Battle in that game. What a Legend

[@Caterfree10]

@@BobthepetferretOOF that definitely hits hard as a… someone with a complicated relationship to Star Wars. I love the original trilogy, have a certain strange fondness for the prequels, and very much enjoyed TFA and TLJ. But therein lies the rub in that last bit: everything I loved abt TLJ got retconned in TROS. And now after the Acolyte started promising more exploration to the wider SW universe? It got hit with a harassment campaign just as bad as TLJ’s and Disney caved and cancelled the show instead of doing fuck all to defend it. They’d rather cater to fans who want the same crap instead of new horizons. So I just. Kinda don’t care about canon anymore at this point I think. Just gonna deal with fanfiction and also any novels from Reylos who get trad pub deals. Why bother otherwise when Lucasfilm doesn’t want me? Sorry for the tangent filled rant, but yeah that hits hard lmao sob.

[@RWAsur]

It drives me nuts when people use the "awkward laugh" as a mark of bad quality of the game out of context. Absolutely nuts. Thanks for this video

[@lloydnorval1989]

Right!? It was literally ONE moment, MEANT to be cringe because it was building character and a relationship between Tidus and Yuna :) people whine about anything these days 😔

[@blango-san]

@@lloydnorval1989 God, are you right for all the wrong reasons. You missed everything subtle about this scene. Tidus just learned that a fucking godzilla that wiped a village before his eyes is literally his father. Yuna walks to her death. The purpose of her pilgrimage ultimately kills her, and she knows it. That shit is heavy. Depressing. Crushing. A lowest of lows. How do you think a person in that condition would try to force a laughter out of himself? Just like that. This is how it would be. This scene is great. Writing, acting, directing. Perfect. This laugh is unnatural, forced and cringe exactly because it was meant to be like that. But not because it was building character or relationship or anything. It's because it was the worst time to try and laugh. Because nobody is really in the mood for laughter. It's like these times when you are sad, and other people tell you to just stop being sad. Always pisses you off, because of how stupid it is. Because you can't force yourself to be happy when you're sad. Because if you try, it would look very much like this scene.

[@schmidth]

I think the game is pretty mediocre, but the awkward laugh was one of the actually pretty good scenes. People must have ridiculously low media literacy if they see that and just think "omg cringe"

[@kerycktotebag8164]

Yuna NEEDED to have this arc. Her entire life prior was nothing but trauma, and she's very young and thus knew nothing else but that trauma. Her only friendships were based on the possibility of horrible death. People need to let go of "Hero's Journey" post-traumatic wish fulfillment and allow kind of slice-of-life mundane moments that make ppl, who've already had that journey, able to enjoy their lives. Final Fantasy X-2 Last Mission highlights this: Their actual adventure was pointless, but what the women learned about each other and what they want from life now that they're able to live one in the first place, is the entire point: It's SUPPOSED to be sobering.

[@The_Bubonic_Craig]

👏 👏 👏 couldn't agree more! Yes! EXACTLY!

[@vandalg282]

Its not about what she "needs" though, its irrelevant. Her story is about sacrifice in all contexts. Slice of life is fine...for a DLC, and that's what this was. The FF series has always been a drama, its Shakespeare on speed.

[@Maggie-y5e]

Ding ding ding! 🎉

[@couchpotato3197]

Also I loved seeing the Gullwing girls in Kingdom Hearts 2 as fairies for some reason

[@asmrtpop2676]

Thank you. I did too. I wished Tidus and Yuna could have met in the games!

[@ChocoInfamy]

Omg same!! As a kid I figured they left the Peter Pan world to go treasure hunting before meeting Maledicent and then Sora.

[@LydiaTaylorMusic]

Me too so much

[@GlairGullwing]

Saaaaaaaameee always

[@GlairGullwing]

Yuna and the people of spira finally live X-2. X-2 was my first FF. And it is still my fav. I was a closet gay boy who loved Magical Girl shit. But this game is so much more than that

[@KeeliaSilvis]

When I first played FFX2 as a teenage girl, I hated the bubbly cringe of the story. I rejected Yuna's awkward, clumsy, adolescent self-growth-because *I was going through the same process,* and I didn't want to admit it. This video perfectly captures my mature appreciation for FFX2 that I now have as an adult. 👏🏻👏🏻💙

[@Bobthepetferret]

That's a really interesting perspective, actually, and I wonder how many people rejected it for that reason. We can all relate to that awkward teenage phase, although we can only appreciate it once we're out of it

[@AnacreonSchoolbagsJr]

I love this comment. I do think FFX-2 is a very deep and mature story. Yuna had a rough life before X-2 started. She became an orphan when she was a little girl, and then she literally thought she was going to sacrifice herself to save the world for her entire early life. In X-2. she's cutting loose and coming out of her shell for the first time ever, while dealing with the more recent trauma of mysteriously losing a person she loved deeply. I find it kind of sad in a funny way that a lot of people begrudge Yuna her quirky, adorkable dress up adventure sequel after everything she's been through, to the point where many people don't play through the entire game and see the really touching and realistic character growth she goes through while overcoming her grief. To me, X-2 is a good ending to FFX even if the first game stands well on its own.

[@BulletSmoothie19]

X-2 was my first FF game, and as a bright eyed 10 year old it was the catalyst to my fantasy RPG/MMO addiction. It would be years before I realised it was a sequel, but when I went and played X and the whole story clicked, I'll die on this hill X and X-2 are the best FF installments. It's stuck with me even mow in my late 20's as someone who was naive and more subdued in their youth, Yuna's story of coming-of-age and self discovery really hits home, finding your own identity, challenging beliefs you previously held because you were told to. That said, I play X-2 more when I replay because X makes me cry.

[@uraninezak]

I don't know who you are but you've earned a like and subscribe with this video. My introduction to FF was this game and honestly I think that the progression Yuna goes from from the start of FFX to the end of FFX-2 is phenomenal. You said it so well that the story of FFX-2 is Yuna learning how to not just make others happy, but to be happy herself. Love that.

[@Bobthepetferret]

Thanks for the sub, welcome to the channel!

[@world.singer]

I feel the exact same way. Instant sub! No one has ever contextualized the two games this well imo, and shared so many of my personal feelings so eloquently.

[@metaldiceman]

6:55 But here's the thing that people miss about X-2. It _does_ have deep, introspective looks at life in general -- moreso than 10. Hear me out. 10 captures the misery of spiraling death as you've pointed out, and the valuation of summoners' lives and the expenditure of which in exchange for relief from that death. X-2 captures just what do you do with your life, how do you rebuild from carnage, how do you cope with debilitating personal loss, how are you supposed to live your life, how do you manage and value your personal relationships with others, who are you actually?? The death of Shuyin/Lenne and longing desire to reunite strikes heavy with Yuna for much the same reasons. Then the political conflict and strife of a post-tragedy world desperate to find identity. And all the lives that are connected together by all of this in ways they could've never predicted. The opening song, Eternity~ Memory of Lightwaves, captures the culmination of all these feelings with such masterful beauty and vision. That song has heavy, heavy feeling in it and even rises above To Zanarkand and the entire soundtrack of FFX. It's the perfect capstone to tie together all the many themes of this game together in such a beautiful way.

[@Bobthepetferret]

Good point. Those themes are present, but they're more present in the background rather than the constantly visible themes of X. Which isn't a bad thing, it's more another highlight of the differences between the two games as it shows the heavy stuff can co-exist with friends goofing off on an airship.

[@Pedderrod]

Also 😅 im f

[@Pedderrod]

😊r

[@shiveringmousepodcast7153]

Thank you so much for this! I was about Yunas age when the first game came out and came from a very strict religious family, so when I got a little older and began to live for myself and not just do as I was told I related VERY hard to Yuna. It took me a very long time to learn who I was after getting out of a controlling environment where I was raised to serve everyone around me and put everyone else’s needs, wants and whims before my self. I had to learn everything about myself from my likes and dislikes to what I wanted to do with my life. That’s why I see these 2 games as one and why they mean so much to me.

[@adiksaff]

19:58 - "It's the age-old story of a devoted religious girl who meets a boy who plays sports and rebels against her parents and/or the entire religious order she was raised in" PERFECT SYNOPSIS OF X!! 22:36 - "And one thing really stands out to me in Yuna' cool badassery in that game: she's not really all that cool or badass. She's consistently awkward and trying too hard. Because she spent so long living for other people that perhaps she isn't sure who she is herself. She is the devout Catholic girl who grew up sheltered, then went to an arts university, got involved with the alternative music society and is now desperately trying to appear cool to them." And just a *chef's kiss description of the continuity of Yuna's character journey. Your passionate defense of this game moves me to tears! Love your work my dude!

[@blango-san]

Funny enough, Yuna never had the nerve to rebel against anything. Tidus always did it, with his explosive personality. But even that is not the whole story. Auron was the one who brought them together in the first place, and was always using his authority to quietly manipulate them both from sidelines, just giving out profound advice. Auron only wanted to exact revenge on Yunalesca, and also bring peace to Jecht (and to himself) in the process. And for that he used Tidus, Yuna and the rest of the crew. Try to think about it. Wherever Yuna and the guardians went, whatever bad situation they got into, it was always Auron who told everyone exactly what to do.

[@CowardEdd]

I always liked FFX-2's battle system and freedom. Over time, I appreciated the interesting story premise of a Spira caught in two-minds, one yearning for some structure, the other desperate to throw off its old shackles. It helped that (despite New Yevon preventing 100%) the choice wasn't so clear cut in comparison to FFX - New Yevon and in particular, Baralai, came across as much more well-intentioned than the obviously evil Yevon. This video has made me appreciate the more cringeworthy elements, the last thing which still somewhat puts me off today. I've always liked FFX-2 overall, don't get me wrong, but I still wince at a lot of the dialogue and "dad walks in" moments. You did an amazing job at presenting why it makes sense in terms of Yuna's sheltered character and how it softens as she reconciles her new adventurous persona with her more natural, caring nature. I think if more people had access to the Eternal Calm prior to FFX-2 releasing (as a Brit, didn't see this until over 10 years after), the tonal whiplash and initial poor first impression many people had of X-2 might not have been nearly as bad. The context it provides is invaluable, in comparison to most people's first impression of "oh, she's a pop singer now?" In terms of Will, it's quite incredible that over 100 hours of story and character development can be undone by a single minute of audio content - starting with Sin returning out of nowhere, culminating with Yuna saying "only a summoner and the Final Aeon can defeat Sin". Not even the BlitzBomb managed that lol. Apologies for the blog. 33:05 Superb joke, by the way.

[@mahnimic9560]

Great video! You know you can always tell when people that hate the game most likely didn't play it. They watch the opening, and hate seeing Yuna be a "popstar". That person isn't even Yuna, it's Leblanc. The one REAL time Yuna sings it's heartfelt and happens because of her desire to help Spira, something you touched on already. I love these games ❤

[@lexicat23]

I’m so happy that someone else finally gets it! And I’m absolutely thrilled that someone summed it up so eloquently as this video. Even the change in combat system was an expression of freedom in direct contrast to the allow, methodical pace of X’s. Thanks for making this.

[@scroseFE]

I never saw Yuna’s personality as changed in ffx-2. She’s mirroring Rikku often but I see it more as how people tend to modify their behaviour around people they’ve been with for a while. It’s just what happens. Her in-depth personality is the same and you can tell in the moments when she thinks of Tidus or her past as a summoner her tone changes. Her life was different back then but that girl is still the same Yuna. She’s just pushed by Rikku’s and Brother’s presence to be more happy go lucky. What I found annoying in the game was that New Yevon and the Youth League weren’t as « equally good » or « equally bad » as they should have been. The game gives you a choice between the two factions but wants you to choose the Youth League by making New Yevon guys still mostly corrupt. Basically what bothered me was that New Yevon people were all jerks a part from Baralai even if you chose them and all of the people in the Youth League were super kind. It would have been a richer experience if the two were full of people with strong convictions and who were decent human beings who didn’t necessarily want to deceive everyone around them. While at the same time both being able of extremes: new Yevon of lies and hidden truths ; the Youth League of brute force and aggression. I would have liked a little more depth to this conflict

[@Kebin13]

the part of new yeven is atually prety on point on how organizations like that actually happens tho. they had been for thousands of years fucking everyone up to maintain their power, just because sin is defeated and they were exposed doesnt not mean that suddenly they gonna start spouting rainbows and unicorns.

[@JHemp12]

This. She was just trying to fit in, in X-2 and there are plenty of moments where the false persona she was putting on, conflicted with her real personality.

[@sonokawaray]

There's also of course the influence Tidus left behind on her decision-making. Whether or not she sees him again by the end, he's always there in spirit, encouraging her to make her own choices and not just go with what others want for her like in her summoner days.

[@Karifean]

All I can say is I really struggle to see the statement "New Yevon were all jerks, and the Youth League are super kind" to be accurate in regards to what is portrayed in the game. The Youth League are really just shown as a ball of aimless aggression and destructive energy. I struggle to even think of New Yevon being particularly jerks outside of the priest at the very end of Chapter 1 who sics the golem on you. I mean they somehow have to contend with realizing the secrets kept under wraps from the past and knowing it'd create chaos and panic to make them public, while being hated on by a self-righteous mob for it. In comparison, Youth League's dysfunctionality and inherent destructiveness is explored quite a bit more in pretty much every single chapter, and they are far more prone to attack Yuna herself simply over not being on their side, while New Yevonites show more reverence and respect for her fundamentally (I guess excepting end of Chapter 2 if you're on Youth League side, which the game explains via the guards clocking you as "the same Youth League spies as in Kilika" and failing to recognize Yuna as being Yuna). The conflict still isn't explored in a lot of depth and the game has no real messages about it, it's just a backdrop with all story issues temporarily resolved by holding a concert. But I really don't think the game portrayed this as a good vs bad sides thing.

[@LorePic]

Before the Vegnagun fight, when Yuna gets emotionally wrecked and says "I don't want this anymore" in response to Nooj willing to sacrifice himself. You could feel the pain she was in still over the Spiral of Death from FFX and Tidus' leave at the end of it.

[@blango-san]

stupid unnecessary sacrifices without any reason were around Final Fantasy games since FF4, I think. funny enough, only shitty FF's have them, not all the good ones

[@LorePic]

@@blango-san well at least someone replied haha

[@onioncultistlordoftheonion8315]

I have always said, "If I prepared myself for my whole life to sacrifice myself for the greater good, but not only manage to not sacrifice myself, but also permanently get rid of the problem so no one else has to, you bet your ass I'd be spending the rest of my life celebrating." in defense of FFX-2, I never thought about the fact Yuna is actually kinda cringe and awkward for most of the game, but I also never thought of her change in character between the two games to be unrealistic for the reason I gave at the start of this comment.

[@Bobthepetferret]

I was always aware of the awkward cringe elements, but I've always found them weirdly endearing, so I've always been okay with them!

[@aDrii786]

People tend to forget... She's only 19 in the second game, 19!!!!! After going on a whole journey that was supposed to end her life at 17. Why are people expecting her to behave as an adult once the world is free of Sin and she can just live??

[@world.singer]

@@aDrii786 OMG YES EXACTLY THIS!!!!!!

[@TheEnigmaticBM39]

And she was awkward in the first game too

[@world.singer]

YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS EVER PERFECTLY ARTICULATED MY FEELINGS ABOUT X-2. I actually cried watching your video. This game is so unfairly maligned, and I believe the general opinion is shifting with time... X-2 has so many merits, and YES, it is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL AND REALISTIC FOR YUNA'S DEVELOPMENT. SHE LIVED HER WHOLE LIFE RULED BY AN OPPRESSIVE AND MANIPULATE RELIGION THAT CONDITIONED HER TO DIE FOR ITS LIES, AND DESPITE THE ODDS SHE LIVED! WHEN THE DECK WAS STACKED AGAINST HER SHE LIVED! AND NOW SHE GETS TO LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND THERE'S SO MUCH JOY, EVEN AFTER ALL THE MISERY!!! YUNA CAN TAKE THE GIFTS TIDUS GAVE HER AND CONTINUE GROWING!!! AND SHE GETS TO LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Bobthepetferret]

AHHH! I'M GLAD YOU ENJOYED THE VIDEO!! :D

[@AetherNightmare]

As someone who was massively influenced by this game in my youth, for similar religious trauma reasons, I absolutely agree with this whole analysis. And why it's one of my favorite games of all time, despite it not being quite up to what other people expected (or can even see if they didn't grow up with that dynamic). Because healing looks different for everyone, and the process doesn't have to be as painful and self-sacrificing as everyone always assumes. Likewise, if we don't lighten up a bit, we just pass our anger on to the next generation. I'll take J-pop and silly clothes over literal war and extreme political divide any day. A trait I oddly think Leblanc embodies rather well too, as this 30-something free spirit who honestly just wants to get Yuna to get out of her shell, while finding ways to support some of the most disadvantaged people following the whole FFX tragedy. She kind of always felt like an eccentric auntie character for me, rather than a "villain". You know, the one the rest of the family always criticized and never let you talk to, but once you're older and get to meet her on your own terms you find out she's pretty great.

[@matthewcarroll2533]

Dang, good analysis of Leblanc - probably the best I've heard and it's from a YT comment section no less! Bravo, sir. Basically spoke my mind verbatim on that subject.

[@Nan_96]

Been playing this on every platform since i discovered it on the ps2. It was my first official FF game after playing FF7 briefly as a child. (96 baby here) I have 200 + hours not including how much i played on the ps2. Finally got 100 % a couple of years ago. This was the game that taught me about jobs in final fantasy and had me looking forward to the different jobs that would appear in other FF games. And let me tell you that going from ffx-2 to ffx was...an amazing experience. I wish I could play them both again for the first time.

[@aDrii786]

Thank you so much for this video. Finally someone praising this game instead of criticising it over stereotypes and their inability to let go of Final Fantasy X story.

[@snafulegend6689]

I started playing X-2 and couldn't play past the first 5 minutes.... I went to the ever trusted KZbin community to figure out why this game is such a wrench in the gears for me. I think this is the exact thing that was needed. You made it make sense. Thank you for that. I will try to play it with this video in mind.

[@The_Taken_Names]

The biggest problem this game had was execution. The main argument of the video is that this character development isn't unreasonable, and the game otherwise has cool elements that make it a pretty solid game. I don't disagree with either of those statements. The problem is we the players did not get to witness that development we are instead thrown right into an anime fan service episode without any real explanation of how we got from point A to B. It's fan service elements being so prevalent right from the jump was obviously going to alienate a portion of the fan base. And the best explanation of it according to the video defending it was "Oh it was Rikku's idea". It created a situation where most people just chalked it up to a fan service game and hated it from the start because it didn't create a compelling reason to think about why we got there, or show us how it happened. This game would have been much better if it had started with Yuna's development into the person she was in the story instead of just her being that person at the start and expecting the audience to just except it. Also probably could have done with dialing back some of the fan service elements as they ultimately just served as a distraction.

[@CoalCoalJames]

Comprehension issue with you bro~ It's only took me a few hours to get over the fan service and see what they where doing and it worked fantastically.

[@lavinder11]

​@@CoalCoalJamesThat's not a comprehension issue; it's preference.

[@paulodanteneto1645]

37:16 you cheeky man, this conclusion made me sub immediatly lol. thanks for this video. I love X-2 and am happy that for a few years now, more people are giving it a fair chance.

[@RisuAlto]

Hey, Bob--I'm sure you don't remember me because _I_ don't even remember the name of my original KZbin account, but you were one of the first people I ever watched let's plays from, as well as my first exposure to _Final Fantasy_ through your X-2 playthrough. I fell in love with how much _you_ loved it, and I've been a fan of the series ever since. Thank you for the thoughtful analysis video--both because it's a fantastically well-written piece and because it enabled me to find your channel again after so many years. I hope you're doing well.

[@Bobthepetferret]

Oh wow, this is great to hear! I'm honestly surprised that my Let's Plays back in the day got anyone into the games I played, but it's cool that you did! Glad you're back and I'm glad you enjoyed this video! Thank you!

[@RisuAlto]

@@Bobthepetferret Well, I was young and appreciated your relative calm while playing, I recall. But your videos left quite the impression. As far as my brain is concerned, your voice for Issun from _Okami_ is the canon character voice. I replayed recently, and over a decade later, I still hear the voice _you_ made in my head when he talks. Really, though. Your channel had a huge impact on the kinds of games I liked and decided I wanted to play when I really got into gaming. Some of my favorites to this day were games I first heard about on your channel. _Fatal Frame, Uncharted, Beyond Good & Evil, Okami..._ and of course, FFX(-2). So, yes. Maybe the LPs are old, but they were really enjoyable. I'm having a lot of fun with the video essays you're making now, too. I hope you don't mind the inundation of comments.

[@Bobthepetferret]

I have no objection to all the comments. It's always good to know folks are enjoying what I put out there!

[@PointlessPeachesII]

This video has restored my love of FFX-2 and I appreciate you for taking the time to do this analysis.

[@Winter_RainDT]

What a well put together. Love the editing and analysis. I enjoyed both games but never did I see it the way you put it here. I've only a greater appreciation for the games. Great work!

[@Lalexi]

I will defend this game with my life forever. It's good to see someone else who understands and loves this game as well ❤

[@blango-san]

Relax, no one is going to go after your life over this inferior piece of gaming software.

[@0838595587]

U people are the reason why we can’t have good, fun & silly games

[@saywordngan]

This was brilliantly succinct and fun; you did a brilliant job being as eloquent and thorough as you were. Good work my dude~

[@UberBunneh]

I've personally always loved ten and I did quite enjoy X-2 especially mechanically but kind of always cringed a bit cause of the over the top levity. Having talked to you about it and seen this video, I can really see how the two games are ying to their respective yang. As always, excellently done!

[@ryuichiro.sakuraba]

It's been years when I had finished X and X-2 back in the PS2 era, and not many people I knew liked the sequel. They say it was too girly, lacks the drama of the other long RPGs at the time, all while giving praise to the first story for being a heart-wrenching tale. Hearing the said commentary of onlookers watching my playthroughs (at a game centre back then when I saved lunch money to rent a console for 8-hour RPG marathons during weekends, and during study breaks and when cutting classes...), I blurted out how great it was to see Yuna grow and enjoy the life she and her party had strived hard for, embark on an adventure where she won't perish at the journey's end, and after being in the state of the grim cycle of death, mentioned that it would be nice to have Spirans live their lives without the fear of the impending doom when the 10 years or so of the Calm is about to end. They got the Eternal Calm, so why not rest, rebuild and live e.g. watch concerts and perhaps enjoy blitzball games for enjoyment and not a temporary reprieve/escape from reality? ...then some of them left me alone with comments that let the gay boy play girly games, while some were like that makes sense (the business owner and mostly the more older peeps). At least they're right about the gay boy part lol. Much appreciate the analysis! I felt the same way many years back; Yuna deserved to let loose, be a bit selfish and more, all while the world was figuring out what do when the crisis has been averted, and some of the societal norms had been challenged and crumbled. Now, I still have the remaster in my PC when I feel like reliving the past with a better looking Tidus and the still slightly chubby Wakka, and I still feel the same way about the game. Even if some parts of X-2 are cringe (but it's on-brand as they're young, and they're just adorable lol) and idyllic, I believe X-2 portrays a world of opportunities post-crisis, which is interesting to observe. PS. I love this game's ATB version - more powerful abilities take longer to prep/cast so I enjoyed the complexity. The battle quips for the dressphere outfits are quite fitting and can be downright hilariously on-point lol

[@ReconNarwhal]

I wouldn’t say Tidus isn’t the main character of FFX because he’s the audience surrogate. Both Yuna and Tidus fulfill that role.

[@kingsarverjr502]

Right. He is the main character and she is the protagonist.

[@Nyx_Room]

Well, remember Teresa are dual protagonist rolls in film and theater. I would say that FFX Always was Us(tidus) and Yuna. Both have their stories. I love it!!!!

[@BEGMING-s1y]

Thats a great take that looking back on these fantastic games makes perfect sense retrospectively.

[@JesseHenderson-xc2kg]

It's both their stories but let's be real, if Tidus didn't accept his date and successfully defeat Sin, Yuna would've died and the spiral of death would've continued. He was the main character. That's why Yuna got a whole ass game for her.

[@ftilxe]

I will forever be an appreciator of X-2. A lot of folks make reductive complaints about Yuna singing pop songs, when it all makes perfect sense to me. X-2 uses the job system, and Songstress is just a modern take on the classic Bard job. Yuna was always a public figure, she has just traded one job for another. The shift between Bard and Songstress also makes sense thematically with the tone of these two games - X shows us a world entrenched in more traditional east/southeast Asian culture, while X-2 showcases the modernization of Asian society. Yuna herself embodies these themes and tensions between the games.

[@Jay-Bee_NUFC]

When I first played X-2, I was 25 years old. Was it cringy? Yep. Did I facepalm a few times? Yep. But that intro, a thousand words making me genuinely cry, and the dressphere transformations being epic, I loved it 😂

[@EndThusIAm]

Always makes me happy to see others that enjoyed or even loved this game. Too many just call it a fan service game and walk away.

[@Bobthepetferret]

It definitely has some elements of fan service, I can't deny that, but there's so much more to it underneath that

[@EndThusIAm]

@@Bobthepetferret Exactly, I don't argue that either and from now on I might just link your video. Albeit a few choice words like "space whale" hahaha, you say exactly what I try to tell people.

[@VinlandicSoul]

I just gave this game a replay after 20 years. I liked it then, and I LOVE it now!! I only just discovered that there was an international version with creature creator, as well as some bringing in some of the old guard back (if you know, you know.) It was a fantastic game, the combat system ruled, and the selection of jobs was quite satisfying. I wish we could get another game with this base skeleton in relation to jobs & the ATB system

[@LotusHue]

I think you’re the first person who’s ever admitted that Yuna lost her virginity in that lake 😆 On a more serious note, I absolutely love how eloquent and articulate you were summing up both games. X (and X-2) is definitely very much about Yuna despite the fact the narration is done by Tidus. We as viewers see everything through his eyes, but the journey is really all about Yuna. And yes, I too have always felt FFX was incomplete and unfinished somehow. When FFX-2 came out, I was extremely excited but admittedly the game did felt a bit jarring considering the tone was vastly different from the previous game. But in hindsight, as you stated, X-2 gives us a world that is free of Sin and allows us to see what had become of Yuna’s success and Tidus’ sacrifice. They definitely complement and complete each other. This a great and well done video. And I do love that end bit 😂

[@HowlsDiaries]

Thank you, Bobthepetferret! Thank you so much for the time and energy you put into making this video. I absolutely loved it! Final Fantasy X-2 was the very first Final Fantasy game I ever played. Yes, I was confused for most of the game until I realized it was a sequel. 😄 I appreciate your perspective. Both games are indeed important for the overall story and for the world we all fell in love with. Watching some of the clips in your video made me cry. It was nostalgic, sad, and a beautiful release of emotions. I never could accept most of the criticism that Final Fantasy X-2 received. As you stated, this game did carry the past events and the trauma of Final Fantasy X with it. Only now, the circumstances have changed and the characters we once knew have grown up. Final Fantasy X-2 is so well thought out when you take a closer look. Even the lyrics during the opening song echo Yuna’s journey in the first game and hints and what awaits her in this one: "I hear your voice calling out to me, "You'll never be alone"" None of this was done by accident. It’s all connected. Thank you for being here and for sharing your thoughts with us. I appreciate you. 💜

[@paperloid07]

But at the concert wasn't her, in fact, was Leblanc! And the spheredresses give them abiltyes etc, the memories inside that sphere was from a singer ! So... Wasn't Yuna at all, i dont know why ppl hate that part

[@smithereens7105]

As a child I played FFX-2 first (it was the first one I ever played) and then I played FFX. It didn't feel weird at all going from such a peppy game to a heavier one because the heaviness ties back to her loss of Tidus which is a main theme in the sequel. I didn't mind playing something more serious because I wanted to learn more about their story and what happened to him. Naturally I didn't expect it to be totally upbeat considering he died/disappeared and I knew they hadn't been able to end up together in the end. I also think people don't realize Yuna's change in character was because of the profound effect Tidus had on her and her life. He mad her believe new things were possible and after losing him she may have even taken on some of his traits to feel closer to him.

[@Chengyuan79]

I started X-2 first too, then played X maybe

[@zhukel_marimasko]

So I never played X-2 but now I kinda want to. But the whole time I was thinking "sounds like we need a X-3 to round out the series, where they search for Tidus. But then you described Will, which I've never heard of, and was repulsed by the idea.

[@user-ng1yu7io4r]

You completely left out how Yuna set out because there is a glimmer of hope that Tidus is alive somewhere. And ofc the true ending where he comes back.

[@Bobthepetferret]

Honestly (and I'm aware this is potentially an unpopular opinion), I'd have preferred it if they didn't reunite. That the story could be entirely about her growth and learning to move on and grow. Fits the themes of the rest of the game better imo

[@oryanstreeval7939]

Also forgot to say great video and excellent points to be made in favor of the quality of X-2's story! I will 100% say that i think some people missed the intended contrast of the 2 games and you identitfied them marvelously! Excelsior!!

[@bear1084]

"we found a video of your boyfriend in a cage" That shit got me 😂😂

[@ValadoraLuma]

Thank you for making this video. I always found the battle system in this game to be the most enjoyable, but also I love how there's depth to the story, but only if you seek it.

[@nomore8712]

Yes to everything here, I've just beaten 10 and 10-2 (had both as a kid but never got to finish them!) and there is this secondary thread to these games in particular that I wonder if anyone else feels. And that is the fact that the aesthetics, from UI, to the art of Spira, to both games OST's.. How incredibly perfect and unique it all is, idk, i could go on about it. When I booted up 10-2 and heard that funky music on the airship paired with all the glamour and pop of the UI (very 2000's!) I just felt the sorrow and sadness from X's ost lift up off of me. Other places like Zanarkand, Besaid, and Kilika (to name a few) have entered this serenity with there OST and I feel that it reflects the games duality so well.. Anywho great video, great analysis, cant wait to see more!

[@JanetDax]

Agreed with your comments. To me, X-2 ties the original game together with Spira's past and Tidus and Yuna with their past incarnations. Yes, they belong together.

[@Bobthepetferret]

It just wraps everything up really nicely

[@VelvetCake423]

love this vid. it perfectly encapsulates why i love this game~! id LOVE a follow up delving more into your thoughts about the plot with shuyin/lenne, what it reveals about the old war and also your thoughts on the ending/how it goes about reviving Tidus. Most vids are from a ff x-2 non-enjoyer so all the points are negative, but id love to hear a take from an enjoyer like myself~!

[@Bobthepetferret]

I don't know if I have a lot to contribute on most of those, except maybe the ending with Tidus. But that is more likely to show up as an additional point in a different video, I'd say

[@AlucarDD97]

(sorry in advance for broken english) FANTASTIC video, I absolutely agree over all the points you make! I often tend to argue with my friends over X-2, because I think it's an awesome game and on the other hand they think it's a disgrace (while probably they did not pass the first chapter). Idk if it's a mysoginistic way to judge Yuna 2 years after she set the world free, now in a more carefree attitude after she lived a life of sacrifice and psycological pressure, or just people being stubborn about change. I feel like a huge percentage of FF fans are very reluctant to change in general, we can see it though all the FFXII unjustified hate, or through X-2 mood. There are reasons to be upset over bad written sequels, like FFIV TAY, Kingdom Hearts shenanigans, or like all the obnoxious FFXIII trilogy (Lightning falling in a hole resulting in her becoming a goddess and time portals opening randomly with nothing tieing with anything happening in the first game), but I SINCERLY feel like Yuna is the same character from the first game, but as you said her persona is strictly influenced by Rikku and Tidus's more joyful attitude, since she sees and love them and learn to live her life bearing them even in her cringy awkwardness! The game is SO MUCH FUN and needs to be praised as a really good game!

[@Bobthepetferret]

Gotta admit I'm one of those who isn't a big fan of FF12 (I've struggled with most post-X games in the series tbh), although that's down to me just not clicking with its battle system but I've given it a good try a few times before accepting I'm probably not gonna like it. I will acknowledge its good points though (mostly Balthier and Fran) Glad you enjoyed the video though! I love that even more folks share my opinions on FFX-2 (also your English was excellent)

[@AlucarDD97]

@@Bobthepetferret Well I admit I also have troubles enjoying the entries past XII as I am a diehard old style RPG fan myself, but I think that "not enjoying" something an "hating" are two different things. Most people that tend to hate on X-2 and XII probably never played them in the first place, and things like "They ruined the series" and such are not justified in that regard, at least not in regard of gameplay settings emotions and fun. FFXII is a deep game, created with love and full of positive things, with an astonishing worldbuilding and maybe the best cutscene direction in videogame history. You can play the old games if you wanna play another kind of game, you know, there are 10 of them! I rather enjoy playing things like bravely default and octopath, and even if i dont like playing FFXV i don't "hate" it... I dont know i made myself clear... anyway, the same thing is related to FFX-2. Maybe even in a worse way that FFXII, considering the latter has had a recent post-time appreciation

[@dereaya9707]

10 is a story about death 10-2 is a story about life after that. There's happiness after despair. The world changes, you change. Youre only left with memories and in the case of spira a desire to live so hard for the people who didn't get to

[@sminchan3732]

The first game is Tidus's story. The second game is her story. You've missed the whole part of the father-son relationship in FFX. A massive overlook of the actual point of the game. You're looking through X through the lense of X-2, but X came first.

[@OverlordNeon]

Adding to the idea that yuna deliberately tries to channel Tidus' energy in X-2, the warrior dressphere is just her using his exact battle animations and sword.

[@weijie032]

Such an amazing analysis! Seeing the "I don't like your plan, it sucks" scene, it makes me think that Yuna is still experiencing some degree of grief and survivor's guilt.

[@Bobthepetferret]

It's possible, which would explain why she's so against it happening again

[@waxenapple1195]

This video should have more views!! Really great perspective on the game. Final Fantasy X-2 was a defining moment of my childhood.

[@Kebin13]

Final fantasy x-2 was my first final fantasy, and to this day is one of my most beloved, right next ffv, ff xii and ff xiii-2, these games are perfect and fun, and i get extremely annoyed at how most people like to shit on them, most often than not, withouth even having any actual critiscism, they just keep parroting the same one or two "points" that youtubers keep vomiting as if its gospel. I'm glad to see someone can actually give the game an actual, fair critiscim.

[@RhysChristian490]

X-2 is one of my very faves! The story and characters aside. It scratched the ADHD JRPG itch that I need. Fast paced, mini game, hack and slash, unlocking, mastering bliss.

[@Paul-to1nb]

As someone who loves FFX, X-2 was a bit of a shock when it first came out, but I totally felt it was a great direction for a sequel. To me, it's the sadder moments in X-2 that really stick out, which people don't give it credit for. Maybe I'm sappy, but everytime Yuna's lost in her memories and Yuna's Ballad starts playing, I can't help but shed a tear. The main theme is about what to do with our past - perfect them for a sequel. Do we move on or to preserve the past? Do we forgive or get revenge? Yuna, Paine, and Spira as a whole struggle with these questions. As someone who's very nostalgic, I really relate to Yuna having a hard time letting go. Ultimately, I prefer the sad ending where she says goodbye to Tidus in the farplane, since I think it makes more sense for the themes of the story (but I can't help but enjoy the good/perfect endings too) I think people might like it better if the first scene and mission was a bit more down to earth. It's really jaring and hard to take it seriously. But the story gets more and more serious and something a FFX lover can enjoy. Some great stuff is easy to miss without a 100% guide too unfortunately.

[@WriterDude130]

you've kinda convinced me to give this another chance

[@003SONE]

Thank you so much for this video! I absolutely love it! It's so great to see more people speaking out on behalf of X-2. It's always been my favourite Final Fantasy. I've just subscribed to your channel. It would be very interesting to see an up-to-date tier list of your favourite Final Fantasy's :)

[@Bobthepetferret]

My tier list is basically 6-10 = good, 12, 13, 15 = bad, 16 = good again, haven't played anything prior to 6 or the MMOs Not sure if I'd ever turn that into a video tbh but who knows!

[@pyndahvickers946]

Great video! Oh, and you were wrong about one thing, Final Fantasy X-2: Eternal Calm did get released in Europe (well here in the UK anyway). It was bundled in with the Unlimited Saga II PS2 game.

[@LonestarTheKiid]

May be off topic but does anyone know the title of the song playing at 29:33 ?

[@Bobthepetferret]

Yuna's Ballad (from X-2)

[@Dotoku14]

It's a real damn shame videos like this need to exist to explain to people that X-2 is a fantastic game with a damn great story.

[@italoqueiroz6316]

I agree with pretty much everything you said while the first game was about tragedy the second was about recovery from it not only Yuna but ENTIRE SPIRA most games only focus on the heroes story and the world is completely aside FFX is easily the best world made in FFs becase SPIRA is actually a WORLD in X2 is amazing seeing how Yuna interacts with the world. Helping people with their personal problems. Her speech before Vegnagun fight shows how incredible Yuna grown is. X2 has multiple endings I personally desagree with the true ending where she brings Tidus back this goes against her development. Honestly the most correct ending should be the one that she refuses the faith offer this makes more sense after seeing Shuin and Lene story. But let's be honest nobody has the courage to choose to refuse the faith offer in the game and in real life I mean if you had the chance to bring someone you love back to life would anyone refuse this offer? It was kinda sad that we couldn't play with Wakka, Lulu and Kimahri they where there but at same time aren't there but again they moved forward with their lives pretty much the theme of the story. In the end the most important aspect is while X is about freeing the world from Sin and Yevon darkness X2 is about how SPIRA moved forward so everything that happens in X becomes worth when you play X2.

[@youtubenoremac3314]

Final Fantasy 10/X-2 videos randomly pop up for me. FF10 and FF10-2 just really resonated with me. FFX and FFX-2 were just a pure joy for me from start to finish. X-2 easily was my favorite purely because of the combat system. Switch classes mid combat was just fun and each one was so unique.

[@YellowMage]

20:50 - *Objection!!* Europe did see a release of _Eternal Calm_ prior to the release of _HD Remaster_ ; it was included as a bonus DVD packaged with _Unlimited Saga_ , and was literally the only reason to buy that game. …Well, that and the *gorgeous* box art.

[@Bobthepetferret]

Then my sources were wrong and they will be sacked

[@101xcfanatic]

You know a realization I just had was if Tidus wasn't shunted through time and just a man out of time like I thought before watching all these lore videos, than the ending of the dream in FFX was the death of millions in Alt Zanarkand all at once. I mean isn't that also kinda F'ed up, considering they all had lives as valid as those in Spira, and they didn't have any control over what Yu Yevon did or didn't do past Alt Zanarkands creation. Weird food for thought.

[@xenablossom4682]

I also love how Last Mission explored Yuna, Rikku, and Paine more.

[@CheesyChez421]

25:08 I cannot personally thank you enough for bringing up this specific point of what you intricately/intrinsically derived from the awkward laughing scene between Yuna and Tidus. Playing through this game for the first time upon its initial release, I intrinsically understood the meaning behind this scene as a whole regardless of the weirdness and abjectly offputting dialogue throughout because specifically of the tone the entire game pu5s forth to you as the player controlling the character. Luterally everything that yas veen presented to you before this moment has been a string of events that has been abjectly absolute shit meant to break your spirit, and yet, even knowing what worse fates could happen to other people other than you at this point, and feeling this consensual senee of loning for peace in both Yuna's and Tidus' perspectives of how yhey view the world, they ultimately want the sense of personal ease and sense of honest simplicity to their worlds', and that's why they interact in their way in this scene: they are emotionally aware or how each other's feeling in the moment from what they know of each other and how the world around them as affected other people. They both know how much pain they feel from both a sense of personal loss that they feel reaches the ends of the earth and empathically feel the sense of relief each other desires which is where Tidus & Yuna's romantic relationships blossom (IMO) becauee of each other's sense of longing for both personal and long-reaching peace stem's forth from their ideals.

[@salazar556]

Yuna's change in personality was weird to me at first, but now that I think about it, it actually does make sense. Throughout the first part, Tidus essentially helps Yuna come out of her shell and live life to the fullest. So she does exactly that in part 2.

[@EsperElves]

A genius overview of these two games. I liked X-2, but never took it really seriously. And also, my PS2-CD crashes when Yuna is singing for everyone which... I get it, that second song is like her bad album. However, you managed to bring X and X-2 together and show everyone that they complement each other perfectly. Yuna's character development is like a spiritual journey through our own development.

[@EE-iy9rq]

This was the last final final fantasy game I played start to finish when I was younger

[@buianh5083]

Also I don't know why, the last scene when she speaks from her heart was very beautiful, convincing and full of emotion on her face. Somehow the remastered version kinda messed up her facial expression, she left me a speechless feeling after that speech lmao....

[@commentsforthealgorithm]

I always loved how they made Zanarkand a tourist attraction. Well, I hate it but so does the girls. Especially Rikku and Yuna. It was realistic thing for society to do, profit off of tragedy. They have to come to terms that people don’t view what happened the same because they weren’t there. The nation wants to make money to rebuild and keep growing post catastrophe. The mood of Zanarakand is now bubbly but it’s just a coat of paint.

[@Woogeee]

I loved X-2 just as much as X! Great to see others who agree.

[@Ototsu-Yume.]

X-2 has my fave combat system in the series, just a shame it's a bit too easy; I absolutely abhor what they did to the YRP team in Last Mission though, they outright tell you after the whole story that the girls grew apart and no longer even like each other, and that's with the perfect ending.

[@fhengal]

Yuna's arc in X is a change from sacrificing herself so that the world can be happy into sacrificing (in a roundabout way) the person with whom she's come to find happiness in order to make the world happy, whereas Tidus wants to save Yuna and the world from being pierced on one of the two horns of a false dilemma. To me, the world of the story of X seems built on an ethic of stoic pragmatism; namely, since death is so inevitable, what's the best trade-off a person can make? If people are going to die anyway, how can we bring happiness to the greatest number of people? Also, is there any nobility of spirit in willing sacrifice? (And then, of course, it also shows that there are people who will use and abuse that same rhetoric for their own exploitative, self-serving ends.) X-2 is about people struggling to find happiness (struggling within themselves and with one another) now that the imminent threat of death by Sin has been removed. When life is no longer "nasty, brutish, and short," what do we live for? And not everybody is going to agree on what that answer is when it's left to individual choice to determine, but some folks will clearly be like-minded, as well as clash with those who disagree with them. When there is no longer a common threat that unites people, and everyone's version of happiness is different (and sometimes at odds with one another), how is peace achieved and enjoyed? I think you made a good point about the people of Spira "going a little nuts" in X-2. When just surviving is no longer the biggest constraint on life and people become free of the threat of immanent death (or sometimes other forms of extreme privation and/or self-discipline), we do tend to go a little wild and live in a more unrestrained manner. Sometimes it's just nice to do something that makes you feel good after living under an external threat for so long. Wasn't this one of the main criticisms against youth after World War II, namely that they lacked self-discipline, restraint, and the sense of duty which their parents demonstrated when those parents made the sacrifices that helped to win WW2? At least, that's how I remember it going in Harlan Ellison's novel Starship Troopers. I think that him perceiving that social problem is one of the reasons why he wrote the book.

[@Duskiary]

I love X because it shows that every good action may help everyone else but will always come at great cost to yourself.

[@sopranophantomista]

I won't lie, X-2 was my introduction to FF as a whole, and it was because of Real Emotion. I just thought the song sounded cool, and I wanted to learn more about where it came from. I've tried over and over to play the games, but turn based combat just doesn't click with me. That doesn't mean that Yuna's Gunner outfit doesn't live rent free in my head. It very much does. Wonderful retrospective, thanks algorithm!

[@itmebebii]

This is such an amazing and beautifully said video!!! I appreciate how well you explained why it deserves so much love. The story is so emotional but also really fun and we are allowed to have fun for funs sake! Another point I want to add is, as a young girl playing this game for the first time was the literal coolest thing ever! I have loved this game so much since and have been chasing for something that gives me the same feeling. We also have to consider that having games for girls is really important! Having not one but THREE female main characters was everything to me. The pop diva entrance (not even really Yuna tbh), the magical girl transformations and ability to multiclass, the fighting system, the story. Its just all so cool and my young mind was blown. The characters are so relatable and loveable too. This game was so needed for someone like me. It feels like it was MADE for someone like me. We always have to remember like hey, maybe this wasn't made for me and that is okay! :) Thank you for this video

[@Hyoseph]

Great video, my first experience with X2 gave me such whiplash I played it for about an hour and stopped. This has me wanting to give it another go, X and X2 back to back. Now that I am expecting the tonal shift (and am older, let's be real) it should be a good time.

[@BSENKevin]

Yeah I get that it was all of their stories, that was Tidus' part. Like " this is my story of the events" kinda thing. 8:30

[@Quon]

I always liked both X and X-2, the latter feeling like the well needed rest and fun after centuries of Sin's terror.

[@Eurico760]

To be honest, I do love what they did to Yuna and I do see myself a lot in her, in both games, even her journey, character development and friends, I like to see a lot of similarities between me and her, and I cannot lie, thinking about both games really made me accept my life changes and learn to move on, she's really special to me because of that.

[@leandro2002198]

Guy, wonderful video!! Best analysis of this game that i ever see. I hated the game when it was released, but then i discover that it was very good actually. 🙌🙌

[@tnuhenaj3752]

FFX-2 was just early. In investing they say being early is the same as being wrong. You can predict the trend but if you bought in too soon you can lose your money before you ever see your returns. Everyone is queer now so had this game come out today it would be widely loved. For story and gameplay and tone. Ignoring all that I’ve been saying this for ages it’s a great story and everything about it works. Yuna should understandably be disillusioned with traditions and temples after the events of the first game so her drastic change of image is an act of rebellion. And it shows that sin was the only thing stopping spira from fighting amongst itself. They had to concentrate on the bad guy no time to get aggro at each other over small disagreements. Maybe I should make my own video essay I have tons more to say but a comment isn’t the place to say it. But the childish elements of it are perfectly apt and brilliantly executed. Cause everyone in the first game was mature and solemn about everything. Didn’t fix much. It’s not a simplification to say their plans suck. Everything in the first game leads logically to exactly how the characters and world are in this game. If I was yuna in FFX I’d be like this in the sequel too. Tidus is the MC of FFX btw I’ve never agreed with the notion that it’s yuna instead. But again I won’t go into that.

[@johanandersson8252]

People die and Yuna dances, i wonder when she’ll stop dancing.

[@Skadus1114]

I was trying to tell my friends some things about X-2, and then I found this video. You said everything I wanted to say. Thank you for this.

[@paulodorea]

When you start Final Fantasy X-2 and Memories of Lightwaves starts playing, you understand that there is something way more deep under all the goofiness of this game. Yuna is trying really hard to get over her pain and suffering. That intro music alone always reminded me to look past the "cringe" and see that strugle.

[@Lunariant]

Despite my massive hype pre-launch, I didn't enjoy X-2 very much. I found most of the missions tedious and inconsequential. That said, it did seem like there was an interesting story buried somewhere in there. I appreciate this video for bringing the strengths of X-2's storytelling to light. X is probably my favourite game of all time, so X-2 has sometimes felt like an aberration, but this video is persuading me that the sequel was not a mistake.

[@Bobthepetferret]

Glad to see the video's doing its job!

[@Ambulancemeep]

You’re 100% correct, the stories of FFX/X-2 must be shared as a collective whole to enjoy both in their totality. It’s truly a masterful experience that I feel is missing from most (not all) of today’s games. Literary and thematic elements were included in smart and compelling threads throughout the story and it wasn’t afraid of “losing itself” in the plot. And it shows. The world building, characterization, and overall POINT of the themes of the story between FFX/X-2 is simply brilliant, no other way to put it. It wasn’t serendipitous, but majorly intentional. And it worked.

[@keeptv1918]

:( This video makes me sad, not because it isn’t good but because upon reflection in college I knew a girl just like Yuna and was briefly friends with her (even though I didn’t really consider us friends) and I was chosen by her to basically be her tidus but i rejected her Then ran into her a couple years later where she basically just fell apart and cried about how her life went to poo after we parted ways and she should’ve tried harder to stay with me even if just as friends because I wasn’t willing to date her The stuff that happened to was really bad, like really really bad and I feel like I contributed to that stuff happening to her because as she said one of the things I did when we hung out was reel her back when she was looking for trouble the girl was seriously rebelling hard core from her extremely strict religious upbringing and honestly she didn’t have much in terms of positive influences in her life especially when she thought I the holier than though full of himself atheist gamer was one of her favorite people She said she liked me because I was proof that everything her parents told her was wrong and that an atheist/gamer could be just as upstanding or more so than her parents She also liked that I was the first guy she met who wasn’t trying to get into her pants… which ironically made her constantly trying to get into mine which is a big part of why I rejected and stopped hanging out with her But she was a sweet and smart girl just trying to find herself and I basically snubbed her and the things that happened to her after that were just horrible and even then I couldn’t take it and just left again I’m a coward :(

[@Bobthepetferret]

So I'm just random guy on the internet so what the fuck do I know about your situation, but I couldn't read this comment and not just let it sit without trying to say something helpful. (I am also not a trained professional, so my advice is purely based on my own opinions and experiences) It's clear to me that you deeply care about this girl, even just as a friend, and you feel deep regret for not being there for her better, and I get it. We've all been there, we've all fucked up, and it always sucks. But I will say this: if you have the ability to reach out to this girl again, please do so. Let her know you regret not being there for her more and you want to make it right. You will likely face a tough conversation and you need to be ready to be raw and honest as part of it. It may also be difficult to help her process whatever she went through, but if you have the opportunity to make it right, please take it. If you can share all this publicly and openly in a KZbin comment, you have the ability to navigate that conversation. I promise it will be worth the effort. It always is. If you do not have the ability to contact her and talk to her again, then that's much harder to deal with, but you CAN deal with it. You just need to accept that life throws things at us and some things are entirely out of our control. Sometimes we fuck up and can't fix things. All you can do is learn from it and figure out how to not make the same mistakes again, and always strive to move forward and be the best you can be (And we do all have the capacity to be great, even if you may not feel like it right now). Trust me, you are not the only one who's experienced stuff like this, it's just part of being human, but I hope you're able to find your peace in whatever form that takes. I cannot offer much advice beyond this as, again, I am not a trained professional, but I would recommend seeking one out to help guide you through this if you're able to. I wish you the best.

[@keeptv1918]

@ thank you. And thank you for the advice and encouragement. But the events I was reflecting on in the comment I made happened like 20 years ago I have no idea where that girl is now or what happened to her I just think I did her a great disservice and was really awful to her especially in my inaction and retreat because she scared me (like emotionally I can’t handle even possibly romantic situations) But I same time when I just sort ducked out of her life I didn’t warn her about her human trash of a friend who it was very clear what his intentions were with her, he was the cause of some of the worst things that happened to her But again I appreciate the kind words and honestly it was more that this video and x-2’s story I guess reminded me that I had a chance to be a positive influence in this random girls life but when I saw the sharks swimming around her I just noped my way right out of there instead of actually trying to be a friend

[@Axaul]

Regarding the availability of Eternal Calm for PAL regions, we did actually have access to it long before the release of the HD Remasters, though that meant purchasing Unlimited Saga for PS2 which the DVD came bundled with

[@an_impasse]

The sad ending of FFX-2 is also such a tear jerker. 😢 Also adds and reaffirms, rather than subtracting.

[@Ingisen]

@Bobthepetferret This video is excellent! Good job! I daresay it should be mandatory to watch this after playing FFX, especially for those continuing with Eternal Calm -> X-2 -> Novella -> Will Some people just don't take the time to study and process things - simply taking this at face value - and that's OK. The problem, the way I see it, lies with PRESENTATION. Again, I agree with your points in the video, BUT: the intro/start of the game has such power over a game that it CAN'T be messed up. My points to go along with this video: - Yuna character development could/should have been more gradual. The polar opposite argument is sound, if executed somewhat poorly in-game. The 2 year timeskip is jarring, and a little lazy. - X-2's ending, the 'perfect' ending as it were; it robs FFX of its impact and lessons. Letting go, moving on, building a future, continuing without lies and false hope - time for Yuna to practice what she preaches (pun slightly intended). Having Yuna saying farewell to Tidus permanently is not only more fitting, it’s healthier as well. Both for her, and in real life scenario. The 100% aspect of the game, to me, seems like an unhealthy person’s obsession. - The cringe aspects of X-2; they're 50/50 if you ask me. And all arguments are valid. Many arguments say that FFX-2 was a cash-grab due to FF-X’s popularity and Square’s financial issues. Take that as you will, I won’t tell people what’s wrong or right. Other points: - The untold stories of FFX's world; side characters, old-world history (speaking about the concept art and loose translations) - 33:25 Old-world history; the conflicts - See the past and learn about it gradually throughout the game - Yuna/Tidus relationship feels forced in FFX (referencing a video essay I saw on KZbin, I can’t remember the name. If anyone knows about it, please post a reply with info for thers to see!). They're (more or less) only together because the narrative required it. Also, because of their fathers’ connection. Tidus is a nobody (how ’fitting’ that he is essentially a ghost, huh?). - Technical limitations. FFX is grindy, in the same way that FFX-2’s missions are seemingly inconsequential - FFX is good, even today. BUT it suffers here and there (walking/running animations ar clunky. The field camera is actively trying to give the player a heart-attack!

[@Bobthepetferret]

A lot of points to address there, but I'll focus on one - your point about the good ending of X-2. Because I actually agree, and that point almost made it into the video, I just couldn't make it flow well enough. I would have preferred a story where Yuna gets to process her grief, find strength in her friends and move on, since I feel it fits with the themes quite well. Maybe have a good ending where she gets to see Tidus once more at the Farplane and gets to have a more heartfelt goodbye as a way to close that chapter of her life. But I also know a lot of people would look at that as "but they should be together" and that's probably why we got what we got. Which is a shame. Also, your point about exploring the Machine War in a third game, I would love to see a prequel instead of a sequel. Something that shows what led to Sin and provides more context. Although with Square Enix being what it is lately, I don't have much faith in them pulling that off well.

[@Ingisen]

@@Bobthepetferret Thanks for the reply! Yes, the 2nd best ending of FFX-2 (where Yuna says goodbye) is the 'correct' one in my opinion. And yes, I understand that T/Y NOT being together would be a hard pill to swallow for many... Sorry kiddos, life ain't fair. Message of the game(s) right there :/ About your last paragraph; The sequel, FFX-3, could take place in the new setting. However, featuring flashbacks via spheres and such (hence my reference to Horizon, Guerilla Games). As for faith in SE... I understand your thoughts. After SquareSoft became Square-Enix it hasn't been what it used to be. I've always had the opinion that the core of the company was lost after Sakaguchi and a few other key personnel left... You have remnants like Nomura still, but they are - overworked - have too much responsibility placed on them - 'specialists' instead of being overseers. Frankly, I'm surprised Nomura hasn't left Square considering how he's been treated (by fans as well, mind you). Versus XIII could have been his Magnum Opus, but that chance was lost to him (unless you count KH 4, but Rating issues and IP conflicts with The Mouse only holds him back). If Square REALLY wants to make a full worthy FFX, then they MUST get their shit together! I'd have them hire Yoko Taro for this game (Drakengard, Nier, Voice of Cards), along with Ember Lab (Kena: BoS). Taro has stated that he's willing to consider just about any job for the right amount of money. It's a pipe dream, but these are my thoughts. A game based on what we have gleaned from Will and the novella... I don't want it, to be honest :(

[@lizziegirl5124]

I went out and bought hot pants when i didnt feel weak and voiceless anymore haha. Didnt even notice I did the same until now. I think it's a normal thing for sheltered woman.

[@bobbymoore8030]

Ffx2 is my 4th favorite ff. My only gripe with it is probably its atb system with an extremely fast timer. I would liked it to have a ctb system like 10 but its a very small gripe. Nice video, had me captivated throughout.

[@Jojo-pg8xr]

Damn you were spot on... I've been calling this a tomb raider, Charlie's angel, sailor moon mash up. I didn't realize people had the same ideas as me already sharing them