Rumination Analysis on Final Fantasy X-2

[@pillarsofsnow7940]

X-2 has my absolute favourit battle system

[@VideoGameSophistry]

Stumbled upon this by chance, really adored your delivery. Simple. Informed. Chat. Perfect.

[@WolfestoneManor]

Best implementation of the ATB system I've ever seen. It's just so.... *tight* . I mean unless enemy commands are queued and have an animation you act immediately. Plus I love that characters can act simultaneously. I can still pick up the game and use Trigger Happy Lv. 3 while issuing commands to other characters and it's fun and engaging. The dressphere system is... okay. There are some that are AMAZING like Dark Knight, Gunner, and Alchemist and then some that are just redundant like Samurai and Berzerker, and don't get me started with the International Version dresspheres. The story is... light and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Plus just the amount of exploring and background on what has become a new world is really interesting. That's where it's fun to sink time in. It can be pretty casual but man it can get slow if you're trying to do everything. It's also the hardest game to 100% and not because of the Via Infinito. It's because of the CommSphere scenes that you can miss and just how much time you have to sink into a 100% run like the Chocobo farm and the Calm Lands company pitching side quest. The perfect ending cutscene isn't worth it. The New Game Plus feature is excellent. It makes all those L-Bombs and Grenades you amassed in the late game really useful when you can just *tear* through hordes of enemies early on. Plus having Scatterburst and On The Level for a Gunner is super, super useful even if they can be used only rarely with the low MP you start with. This game is most fun if you sort of sit back and enjoy the story from a distance and it helps if you loved X and wanted to learn more about Spira. The combat is an absolute blast and it makes the older games show their age regarding input and command execution. It's also one of those games that can be recommended to people who haven't played a lot of, or don't care for the "traditional" JRPG's of yesteryear.

[@kblargh]

I was actually thrilled by the mere concept of just screwing around in Spira. I'd seen enough gravity in that world to last me the whole previous game, so (f*ing j-pop aside), i loved that was game was as lighthearted as it was. Andthenitwasimmediatelyruinedbythegiant-moth-monster™, but, anyways, really looking forward to your review of 12.

[@tomasgarcia7499]

Finished FFX and went right away into FFX Eternal Calm, then FFX-2 and I am honestly loving it. I have no clue as to why people complain so much about X-2. It’s literally not bad at all, and I definitely enjoy the combat system more than X’s.

[@Ralndrath]

Hey mate! Really enjoy your ruminations and stuff! You convinced me to download and properly play the first Witcher game and I'm enjoying it so much, warts and all.

[@incredibleringo]

Good to see you back Archengeia. A happy new year to you directly from Brazil!

[@liamclarke91]

It's great to see you back! I've been missing your videos. Also, on a JRPG note, what are your thoughts on the Shin Megami Tensei series? (specifically Persona 4)

[@SnackMuay]

Regarding new game plus in pokemon: YES I've even done this artificially, by breeding a perfect team and then trading to another game, then trading back to the original after starting over. the problem is, then I'm not the "original trainer" and I can't control the pokemon unless I keep up with the badges

[@undeadelvis85]

It's really good to see you back. Have a happy new year

[@Georgespillegand]

what is also important to me is that ffx-2 highlights lots of element of ffx, it makes us understand things that were not clear, or not even explained in the previous game parts such as via infinito or the whole crismon squad events or maechen returning and telling huuge stuff are pretty essential to me, it showed me things i didn't know about ffx, and i learnt a lot thanks to it - alongside the fact i really did enjoy the game to me they took the risk to create a game which they knew wouldn't be adored - it's like being non-elctioneering: we're doing this game beacause we think it's right to do it, not just because we want to make money out of it and trust is indeed essential beacause if you trust the series, then you go on with the game and eventually find out it's great - else you're just seeing the first cinematic and be like oh no it's girly it's flashy i'm so not into this - well fuck off you nazi sorry might be a little harsh but still.

[@Georgespillegand]

great job dude, like the way you contrast things

[@Josef45Koniev]

Great to have you back, keep it up.

[@Michal.Jaworski]

. Back in FFX she was ready to do what necessary, she was ready to sacrifice her life, and in X-2… damn… this wound might not be fresh but still hurts. In whole game, there is only one scene when I was actually happy. Secret Zanarkand ending for 100% completion. You get that good old FF feel, with great music, scenery and yes - in that single scene I felt like old Yuna is back. That single scene (I don’t know - 2 minutes long?) was the only reason I didn’t throw X-2 disc out the window.

[@DE235]

Glad to see you back

[@xsamplexample]

Great to have u back arch

[@VegaGoose]

Damn it's good to see you back

[@TheWolfdog67]

I agree with your opinion of New game+. Its inclusion in many games would be useful and enjoyable. In the Pokemon games, it would certainly save me the time of having to track down the Pokemon for my team once again before carrying on with the story. I missed out on Paper Mario on the gamecube but man I enjoyed the first one, I'll have to hunt that one down some time and give a whirl. I recently located a copy of FFVI and started playing thanks to your review. Best wishes and happy holidays.

[@InTheMindOfDavid]

FFX has an ending that was complete, didn’t really need a sequel based a year after. Shoulda been like 100 years or something.

[@Threaldaveoss]

You had me going for a moment.. Then you said Paper Mario and I was like ohhhhh not Mass Effect 3. Love your work dude, keep it up.

[@arvisjaggamar]

Loved the visual aid with the pill bottle. :D

[@TheMentorKing]

A host of new Archengeia videos, thank you so much.

[@Dotoku14]

Wonderful! Surprised it's up already.

[@MaxxPower101]

Glad to see you back my man. I was wondering if you've had chance to play Final Fantasy Dimensions? It seems like it would be right up your alley.

[@Dotoku14]

What did you think of the International / Last Mission? I really loved the character development. It was the epitome of a bitter sweet moment. The characters are reunited after a time and promise to stay together as a family. But most of the time, it doesn't work out like that. And it's never said of what happens later on. Would love to see a Silmarillion of sorts written about life in Spira for the main characters of both games.

[@JonathonPHaney]

he said in an earlier review that he does indeed like 13 more than X-2, but he didnt have that much toe say about it so he reviewed it briefly in the beginning of one of his ealier reviews

[@lipeckih]

I feel the pain of a canon went unused very much for FFX-2. The job system incarnation was surprisingly entertaining though.

[@Flaris]

Yeah, combat wise this game was fine, but I just couldn't past the story. I felt like X was one game in the series that was just fine as it was. This was just one FF that I kind of tend to forget happened.

[@Venters]

I havn't watched the whole video but how do you feel about Final Fantasy 13 getting another sequel in Lightning Returns?

[@Shinntoku]

I want to say that the Mario RPGs are really 2 separate series now. The Paper Mario series, and the Mario and Luigi series. They're both very different.

[@Core1138]

what do you think of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles?

[@jessica2575]

Yess Square has really let me down 😓

[@LeftOverMondays]

You mentioned Paper Mario Sticker star. Does that mean you have a 3DS now or did you borrow one? Just curious if you got Kingdom Hearts 3D. I

[@hpdre7437]

I like FFX-2 for the combat. I couldn't tell you what the plot was, but I had fun, up until a seeming difficulty spike in the last chapter that made me want to punch babies.

[@Esakosarara]

he did make a FF XIII review.. it was at the beginning of one of his previous FF reviews

[@Riikimaru07]

Im glad you're alive lol...

[@CloaknDagger]

wo0t you're back!

[@emodudee]

Yay you're back:-D:-D:-D

[@MusiacterJoe1188]

I identify a lot with Japanese culture, and this game has some aspects of it all over it's story, characters (especially their reactions to certain things), humor, almost in every element really so it was a true blast of fun, and energy, and I just love it a lot.

[@Nickelstarfilms]

My biggest problem with the game was the fact I thought you had to beat the 100 lvl guy in order to get the final good ending with Tidus, but when I found out you didn't I was a little pissed. I did that game to the T.

[@artmanxp]

what time stamp

[@DentonXV]

Looking forward to seeing your FFXI review :)

[@MWMTEE]

nice and high and a hour long vid great

[@kobiyashimaru]

I've wanted NG+ in Pokemon ever since the first time I had to wipe my save to start over. It was heartbreaking for a 10 year old to have to do that.

[@MWMTEE]

i got stuck at the 3 dragons boss

[@Dotoku14]

I didn't even know about this sequel.. I really hope they don't make it as horrible as XIII-2 was. It seems they're planning on making it 500 years in the future. They need to stick to the god damn plot of XIII if they are going to make sequels. Not have completely unrelated stories with XIII slapped on them. Square Enix is really screwing up their credibility..

[@gormo8]

Interesting points.

[@progste]

I just realised you never made a FF XIII and sequels review

[@juanz888]

X-2 is a nice game, for my a ok game, i have fun, the combat save it for my

[@kflorio54]

No shout out to the secret endings. Also ff15 video conning down your pipeline?

[@Michal.Jaworski]

Glad you’re back Arch. Decided to comment cause not many times I so strongly disagree with your point of view. FFX was my favourite FF, best game I player on PS2. That said, I HATE FFX-2. This title was the beginning of the end for SE. Hate the story, characters and J-pop concept. Hate what they did with Zanarkand.

[@HolyknightVader999]

Except Halo Wars wasn't like the others from the get go. They say its an RTS off the bat.

[@fatedead505]

So you should be a fan of Dark Souls, since DS has 7 NG+s. By the way have you ever played a Shin Megami Tensei game?

[@Sheechiibii]

I really am enjoying your reviews. I don't really agree with your idea that X-2 isn't a Final Fantasy game though. And I'm not sure why you'd consider it a negative or why it would matter anyway because you said IX was the last Final Fantasy in your opinion, so X-2 is a sequel of a game you already didn't think of as a true Final Fantasy, and all the Final Fantasy titles that have come since would be the same.

[@progste]

then maybe I even saw it and forgot about it =P

[@cecilharvey3941]

You seem to dislike FFX-2 much more than you do FF13 and yet you aren't giving FF13 a review but you gave X-2 one :/

[@arvisjaggamar]

1) But X-2 has all the hallmarks of a Final Fantasy game! Sweeping story, great graphics, great soundtrack, Active Time Battle, job classes, mini games, chocobos, airships, accessories & equipment, leveling up, etc. If it's not Final Fantasy... then what IS it? 2) Shuyin/Lenne was simply meant to be a reflection of Tidus/Yuna, which is the greatest love story in the franchise. We don't get much backstory for Shuyin/Lenne because they're only MEANT to be a reflection; a reminder to us (and Yuna) of what we lost in X that we are now desperately trying to get back in X-2. Shuyin as a villain is SUPPOSED to be empty: he represents Yuna's loss and, as such, is not meant to really have his own identity. Sure, he's trying to destroy the world in typical FF fashion, but his entire purpose for existing in the plot is only to put a face on Yuna's heartbreak and loss. 3) Interesting points about humor. Only 30 minutes in. I'll finish the rest of this later.

[@ecksluss]

Arvis_Jaggamar I know this is old, but you voiced my complaints well. No matter how many times he says "x-2 isn't a final fantasy" it will always he a final fantasy.

[@rachenar]

As we speak, U.S troops are still stationed in Afghanistan, searching for people who found FFX-II funny.

[@dark_fire_ice]

there were jokes? I didn't get any

[@VersusFate]

FF9 was the last game to attempt humor, and It takes 15 minutes to collect all the Pokemon in a certain area. Your argument is invalid. (Really love you reviews and totally agree with you about X-2)

[@xIrishSkillzx]

Serious story within a childrens cartoon??? LEGO NINJAGO. I look forward to watching that show just as much as my 3 year old!! Its awesome!!!

[@WolfestoneManor]

Also... are you sure you liked this game? This is probably the most negative rumination I've seen on your channel. I'd swear this was a Lamentation if I didn't know better, but it's a great example of the fact that you can acknowledge a game's issues and flaws and still have fun with it.

[@sakuragyoza]

Love how you talk about trust with FFX-2 - the horrible world-shattering "audio drama" on the HD remaster is the most devastating breach of trust from a franchise holder I've ever experienced...it tore everything you worked for in X and X-2 apart for no real reason other than to ensure the characters were tormented. I don't think I'll ever trust Square Enix again...and I refuse to accept that as canon! Also really love the X-2 battle and leveling system, but I wish the game overall had been a bit less campy/silly (I know it's partly meant to reflect that same sense of possibility you mention that's now taking hold in Spira because of the Eternal Calm, but it's very cheesy/Vegas lobby at times). Agree with another commenter, this is one of my most replayed FF's!

[@matthatter56]

+Sarah S I just read about it. First I read your comment and I had to see what happened. And yeah that really sucks. So they basically pulled a Wonder Years ending? Talk about devastated between that you know who's death from L-Word I have learned to NEVER EVER EVER trust fiction. So yeah it doesn't shock me they did this. I actually glad I'm prepared for it. I am actually glad I saw your comment which lead to me know about this horrible thing. Unlike the other two tragedies in fiction I mentioned. Also I am shocked how upset I am at this because I hate Tidus with the passion of 1 billion burning suns but still this just sucks. I mean don't get me wrong I hate Tidus still he is my most hated video game character ever and granted I just beat Sinspawn Gui and not even that far into Tidus and Yuna's love story and this still manages to make me sad. But again it doesn't shock me. As I said after Wonder Years I was cautious of fiction but after the L-Word killed my favorite character in the horrid way they did I have always been prepared for the worst when it comes to romance in fiction.

[@majinmetroid]

With Pokemon Bank, you can KINDA do New Game +... Just transfer all your pokes to the bank and start a new game. Once you get to a Poke Center, BAM, you got all your old pokes back. Hope I'm the first to recommend this method. If not, sorry for wasting your time!

[@IShallCallHimTaders]

You look kinda burnt out man. Everything ok ? I know it isn't proper to point out such, but I say it because I care.

[@dugonman8360]

to me, 10-2 was a betrayel of what 10s ending meant. it was the epitome of bittersweet and shows how much yuna was willing to sacrifice. for the people of spira yuna sacrifices tidus for them. first her life then her one true love for people and their children who won't know what shes done. that sense of self sacrifice, that sense of honor and virtue, yuna is one of the greatest heroes in video games then we see her prancing around in booty shorts and singing crappy jpop with lesbian illusions, its an insult to everything built in the previous game!

[@RazorAndHyper]

I 100% FF10-2 and then...I literally destroyed it, I was so depressed about it cause I tried to tolerate it and enjoy the story but...NOPE!!!!!!

[@Ponaru]

Sure you did.

[@Gamingnstuff131]

I really hate this one. It’s absolute trash with so little redeeming value to it, despite the potential it had to be a good sequel to 10. But it’s plagued by a broken combat system, cringey dialogue and extremely poor script writing, taking everything that 10 ever was guilty of and amplifying it to nauseating levels and a pretty weak soundtrack with a weird 70s funk sound to it that just doesn’t work. The Charlie’s Angels vibe is also very unpleasant. It also pretty much requires having a guide to get 100 % completion and the pacing is so slow, worse than 10s and it lacks any of the emotional resonance 10 had that elevated it past it’s inherent flaws with it’s storyline and 10-2 had poor character development. I also hate the way they made Yuna into a female Tidus and the way the game undermined the poignant ending of 10 by deux ex machina-ing Tidus back into existence to have a saccharine happy ending. I also hate that 10-2 started the trend of making unnecessary FF sequels that were trash, something that reared it’s ugly head again with 13-2 and Lightning Returns and now they plan on making 10-3. From what I gathered listening to the vile audio drama, it’s going to be even worse than 10-2.

[@Michal.Jaworski]

Also - HATED ‘Yuna - your way suck - speech. IMHO this was one of the weakest points of this shitty production. Pinnacle of her stupidity. Showed that character development went all the wrong way. It’s like older she got - more childish she become. I’m sorry, there are NONE guarantees for survival during the war. When you decide to participate in conflict, you put your LIFE on the line.

[@jpr7848]

A game for teenage girls.

[@Michal.Jaworski]

It’s also worth to mention - other than this scene (which to get requires TONS of grind), ending is utter shit. Bottom line people, watch secret ending scene on youtube. Other than that, stay away from this game.