Crikey, this thread ain't half seeing some action these days!! It's great to see some passion coming back here

Some interesting points made by both Agent and Eternal here, but I'm afraid I do have to take issue with the music in FFX and FFX-2 being poor - it's the only game soundtracks I've ever bought. More than that, the only game soundtracks I paid a small fortune for to import FFX from the US and FFX-2 from Japan - I would never have done that for any of the other FF games. I know Bandoth has argued extensively for the FFVII soundtrack, but those midi files are just not a patch on the sweeping orchestrations of the FFX and FFX-2 soundtracks - the lyrics of 'A Thousand Words' are absolutely beautiful and the sentiment and meaning behind not only the music, but also the main storylines of both FFX and FFX-2 are deeply touching. I know that the heart of FF for many people is in the game play so I can fully appreciate Eternal's comments on the format of FFX-2, which I have to agree, was lacking, as was the difficulty of many of the monsters and bosses. However, Angra Mainyu was certainly a real challenge, as were the Azi Dahaka if you were unfortunate enough to mess the pedestal puzzle up towards the end. The Drakes in the Via Infinito were pretty hard too. I can't argue about Vegnagun though - I sailed through that - I actually had to use lower graded spells and weapons to try and make it a little more challenging.

I also can't argue that the dresspheres weren't as impressive as the aeons - I desperately missed those, I have to admit.

I really can't fault the storylines in either game though - I thought they were very moving and I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried at the end of FFX and FFX-2 left me with a weird kind of heaviness on my chest for the rest of the day. I think you really have to explore the game fully to get the most out of it - you have to do the side quests because they embellish the main story and held pull the threads together, which is the point Agent made - they are all complimentary rather than a problem and the main strength of FFX-2 is definitely in its replayability - the more you play, the more you get out of it, as I discovered when I completed it for a third time. There's a little additional scene right at the end of the credits in addition to the spoiler that Eternal mentioned... I haven't done it a fourth time yet to see if there's any more to be added.

Plus, of course, your actions during the game dictate how the story progresses, which is definitely a first for a FF game where linearity is usually the theme. I enjoyed that aspect of FFX-2, though I do admit that it detracted somewhat from the journey concept that I loved in the previous games.

To address later posts though, the Youth League/New Yevon thing, the concert thing - all of it was trying to make a point of people's petty differences not really mattering anymore. The storyline with Shuyin and Len was a reflection of anger and bitterness that was also being seen in Spira's new troubles - there was a moral point being made there that I don't find ridiculous at all. Maybe it's the 'deeper meaning' person in me that always looks beyond the surface, but I always see huge moral statements in all the FF games - I reckon people could write essays on the social statements being made in the FF games actually, but that's beside the point. The point is that there was a theme threading through all the sidelines in FFX-2 of unification in the face of danger, of tolerance and understanding, of fighting for something you believe in, of family, of commitment, of finding your place in the world and making it work - all these things are why I got so much out of these games and I can only feel desperately sorry for anyone who didn't see what I saw in these games.

I think Shuyin's anger, bitterness and resentment was supremely wonderful in its power - he loved Len enough to die for her and ultimately his love killed them both and he was left with nothing but his anger and bitterness that grew dark and twisted him into what it became and ultimately it was Len's love that saved him - isn't that a beautiful, powerful and wonderful thing? People rant in other threads about Harry and Ginny and how *barfs* "wonderful" that whole thing is, but that's not a patch on the power of the story of Len and Shuyin. It was so incredibly, unutterably tragic and so sad in the end, particularly when reflected on Yuna and Tidus' relationship. I think you'd have to have appreciated that storyline in FFX to really get the power in the end of FFX-2 though.

I can't fault either of your comments on the 'big' aeons though - a lot of fuss and bother for very little damage, which is why Anima and the Magus Sisters were the best aeons by a long way, IMHO.

Oh, and Darkness does weaken you because it uses some of your HP to strengthen the attack and therefore you have to keep healing yourself when you're using it and the attack certainly does diminish in strength the more you use it. I can't remember how I defeated him in the end...I know it took absolutely ages though. I think I just kept healing when I could, using Ultima when I could, some of the more powerful Samurai and Gun Mage techniques (particularly Annihilator) and occasionally the special dresspheres where I could, though they're nothing compared to the aeons.

I confess I did use Catnip to defeat Trema though...

What?! He was hard!!!

Oh, and please don't criticise Tidus' voice!! He's so sweet!! I loved him, I really did - and I was lucky enough to get the special DVD feature when I bought the game that had interviews with the people who did the voices, and man, James Arnold Taylor is soooo cute...

Great, now it's two against one.

Music- First of all, I can't believe anyone would actually buy a soundtrack for a video game, especially FFX-2. I have already recognized the fact that it had a couple standout tracks. But, a majority of the tracks are just awful. I can remeber traveling on foot throughout most of the game just to avoid listening to the music on the airship. While I realize that FFX has pretty good music, I must agree with Bandoth that FFVII's soundtrack is excellent. The beautiful thing about it was that all the music was good, not just a couple tracks.

Angra Mainyu- I really do not remember darkness (I don't know where I came up with dark wave) weakening at all, unless it is not that significant. I wasn't at that high of a level when I defeated Angra Mainyu, and the dark knight/ alchemist strategy worked quite well for me.

Plot- I don't know how anyone can keep saying that the zillion pointless sidequests enhance the storyline. They are the storyline. You can hardly call the Lenne/ Shuyin ordeal the main plot when you only receive remote glances of it throughout the game. Also, it seems as though Agent is really reaching for ways to distantly connect each storyline. You say that each subplot is connected to the top theme- which turns out to be something different each time.

Linearity- Nonlinear gameplay is all good and fine. But, if I wanted to play a nonlinear game, I wouldn't look towards a FF game.

I absolutely love Final Fantasy and my favourite is ffviii because it had great music and a great story line. I loved the bit when you were in space and had to colour code kill the aliens. I adored the minigame i had so much fun playing that card game although blitzball was great too but not the ffx2 blitzball that was terrible. Final Fantasy x was great because of the characters of rikku,Auron and Tidus. The ff game with the best song in my opinion is ffx-2 because i dont know about you but i loved 1000 words.

Whew! There's a lot here to respond to. Okay, well, I'll just try to hit what I can then. And first, welcome back Michelle Dessler --- it's good see you again!

OK, the point I have been repeatedly trying to make with the plot has been ignored. In the end, if you forget about all the extra sidequests and just look at the bare plot itself, it's terrible. I won't restate what I've already said, because it's on the first two paragraphs of the last post on page 7 I believe.

Well, I don't think I'm really prepared to jump right into the middle of this debate (afraid of getting clawed to death), but really, I just kind of see a difference of opinion here. I'm not sure why it's such a big deal. Personally, I liked X and X-2, though for different reasons, and the problems I had with either game were wildly different from one another.

With X, I didn't particularly care for the forced-linear aspect of the game. I, personally, missed the open world-map from previous games. But I got over it, 'cause it was a pretty good game for what it was. With X-2, I didn't think the plot was as in-depth as FF games usually are and could've done with a little more plot. Which I think is part of the difference of opinion here. Eternity seems be wishing for more of a direct story, with more of a sweeping story, more in line with what FF usually is. Agent and Louise, though, are trumpeting the underlying message of X-2, and how each individual part contributes to that... And you're arguing as if those two things are the same thing. But they're not. You can have plot without having a moral. And you can have a moral without having much of a plot. The two are not entirely dependent on one another. I like the message of X-2 as well, but I also would have appreciated a plot more fleshed out, and a bit more sweeping... but then, that's not really the type of game X-2 was trying to be. And the fact that I went into it knowing that, I think is part of what helped me to forgive that point.

As far as pure-plot goes (underlying themes set aside for a moment), there was a little for X-2, to tie it together. But it wasn't really on the same level as X or previous FF titles. But I don't think that's what they were going for anyway. As far as pure-plot goes, I think that X-2 was more of an attempt by Square just to revisit the world, give the fans a chance to see what happened to those characters, and maybe even offer them that happy ending the ending to X didn't really provide. That's all it was really meant to be. If they could have a fun little adventure and tie some inspiring themes into it all, then all the better. But all X-2 was ever meant to be in the first place, in my opionion, was a revisitataion. A glorified, extended epilogue to the story that had already been told. You don't have to like it, but that's what it was.

And I'm okay with that. I like X-2. I don't really consider it a full-fledged FF game, because I don't think it was really meant to be. The biggest problem I have with it is just that it's been so long between fully-fledged FF games, that I wish we had something of a little more substance to hold us over in between. But if the wait were just a little shorter than it has been, then I think X-2 is the perfect distraction to bridge that gap...

Does any of that make sense? I hope so. Before I go, just a few random side-notes...

Traz-ak, your analysis of the plot is absolutely what I was trying to say, but I think you put it into better words. I brought up the fact that the plot itself is poorly developed and I was responded to with a dozen different themes, as if including all these themes somehow made up for the lack of plot.

Also, you acknowledged the fact that FFX-2 is not really a full fledged FF game. One of the reasons I disliked it so much, is that when I bought the game, I was expecting an epic quest. This definately contributed to my disappointment.

[quote]Didn't they do it as a sort of thankyou to Yuna? Give her a little peace and happiness. (And in the more technical sense, just to give us a happy ending; I know people like my sister who can't stand a sad ending really appreciated it.)
Yeah, that was my thought exactly. The fayth had wanted to rest, but they appreciate Yuna. And they want to do this for her.

[quote]So... not to discourage the continuing debate over X-2, but... anyone get to play that demo of FFXII that comes with Dragon Quest VIII yet? I haven't, but I'm hoping to soon.[/quote]
I didn't know there was one. I assume Dragon Quest VIII is a PS2 game? But I don't have a lot of money for new games...

No, no. Dragon Quest VIII is out in the US. It came out last month. It seems to be doing pretty well, I think. I'm hoping Santa will bring it to me for Christmas. And if not, I suppose I'll just have to buy it myself... but yeah, I'm looking forward to getting to play the demo, as well as the game. If you're curious about the Dragon Quest series, I don't know too much about it as this will be my first one, but from what I've gathered... Dragon Quest has been around about as long as Final Fantasy, and although it's done well in Japan, it never seemed to take off in the US quite like FF did. But I don't think we should take that as a sign that it's not an excellent game series as well. It too came from Square, though this newest game was developed by Level 5, who before now produced the games Dark Cloud and Dark Cloud 2 (which I believe in Japan is called Dark Chronicles, if I remember correctly). I've played both those games, and while they may not be everyone's flavor and certainly have their flaws, I still enjoyed them. From what I've heard, Dragon Quest is supposed to be pretty good, and I fully intend to use it to satisfy my longing for a good RPG between now and the months before FFXII finally comes out.

On the matter of X-2's ending. While I agree with Agent that the ending does in fact make sense, I also agree with Eternal (and myself, in turn, since I've already said this) that it was designed to be a fan-pleaser. That doesn't mean it doesn't make sense (to me, at least), but... yeah... I think I've said about all I can about that...

Yeah, I can agree that the ending was largely a fan-pleaser. However, like a lot of other stuff in Final Fantasy X-2, it's still your choice too. You can choose to hear only one whistle. Or you can tell the fayth that "It's better this way."

I've never really looked on X-2 as anything other than entertaining filler. Being a sequel (and the only sequel in the franchise thus far, though I hear that FFVII spin-offs are due to descend upon us anytime soon...) I don't think that is was ever meant to be judged as an independent effort. FFX-2 would lose much of it's context if you hadn't played it's predecessor.

I think that the departure in style is refreshing, novel and is a nice change of pace that makes for a light diversion - but, I certainly wouldn't want the series to continue down that path!

Hold on, Eternal. Formula? What formula? Since when does each Final Fantasy game follow the same formula as before? When do they ever? Each game is very different from its predecessors. They try new things all the time. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes they go bach to old ways when the new ways don't work out. Sometimes they stick with the new and try to make it work. I don't think it's the least bit accurate to say that Final Fantasy has ever followed a formula.

Oh, I don't know. I was agreeing with you on a number of things a few days ago. But I think we do have differing viewpoints on what a debate is and what an argument is. I don't see them as the same thing. In a debate, two (typically, but there could be more) sides present opposing sides of the same point. But what they discuss are facts. But I think we've left facts by the wayside and are purely into opinion now and there's really no point arguing opinions. They're different. So what? An argument, however, I consider to be two countering sides basically having a screaming contest. They may be making valid points, but it doesn't even matter. All they're really trying to do is see who can go on the longest and get the loudest. It seemed to me that this discussion was beginning to deteriorate into that, and I was trying to avoid it by pointing out the fact, and thus, hopefully deflating it. Obviously, I failed in that respect, instead starting a newer, bigger argument.

Hey, what's happening in my favourite thread?

Come on now guys, be nice...it's only a game after all... We're all FF fans here - don't be taking things so personally

I love final fantasy.... my fav chari is tidus from ffx.

I'm cool as ice, I didn't take anything personally.


Favorite character, Yuffie Kisaragi. She has a lot of cool lines and has spunk and she's cute. Second favorite, Beatrix --- very hot and a powerful warrior with a good story.

Ah Beatrix, I forgot about her. I love the part when she joins your party briefly in disc 2... She was like twice as powerful as poor rusty.

Oh yes, Beatrix was awesome. And yes... Yuffie is definately up there among my favorites as well. I have a real thing for spunky girls like that. She's exactly the sort I'd drool after were she a real person... <sigh> ...

While we're at it, have we ever gone and said outright what our favorite FF game of all might be. As much as I do love IX, I think I'd have to pick VII as my favorite. There was just something about that game. Everything came together in that one in a way that was just brilliant in my opinion.

Also, for the sake of curiosity ('cuz apparently I'm just full of potential topics for discussion), what FF games have each of us played, and on what format did you play it (i.e. if you've played some of the earlier Final Fantasies, did you play them on Super Nintendo, Playstation rereleases, Gameboy, or even original Japanese versions?)? I've said before, I didn't actually get introduced to the series until VII (like so many others), and have played everything Final Fantasy since (including Tactics, which I love, Tactics Advance, which I never got to play much of but I have played a little, and Crystal Chronicles, which while not in the usual FF vein of course, wasn't such a bad game, though I suspect you could really only get full value out of it if you played it multiplayer). Pre-VII games, I've only played parts of a lot of them, but never played them through (for various reasons). I played enough of VI (III on the Super Nintendo, if I'm not mistaken) to understand why many still cite it as their favorite FF game of all time, and would love another chance to play that one more.

And possibly, if we can all try to be on our best behavior and play nice... We could try to have a friendly debate on Final Fantasy spin-offs in general. Not just X-2, mind you. That would just be beating a dead horse, I think. But all spin-off games that wouldn't count as part of the main series. Even Chocobo Racing (a game I wish I ever got a chance to play, but I have not)! Which have you played? What think you of them in general? Anyone else here have the undying love for Final Fantasy Tactics that I do?

Favorite FF game? I really couldn't tell ya. It's probably between VI, VII, and IX.

The first one I played was FFVI on the Super Nintendo. Then I played all the psone games including tactics. I then went back and bought Origins. The first game was awesome but the second one was definately not as good. Finally I played FFX and (regretfully) FFX-2. I have also played a little tactics advance but that's it.

I'm afraid I've yet to play any of the spin-off games. Except Kingdom Hearts, which isn't really a spin-off and is discussed in a separate theread anyway.


Favorites? X-2 and IX are definitely my favorites. Although sometimes I say that my favorite varies based on what I'm playing at the time. A lot elements of the various ones are special to me. VI is totally class, and very good. But V holds a special place for me as well. And yes, I do like VII and at one time, it was my favorite. I still think it has very great replay value. And VIII I really like too and it's special to me in a certain way.

'She said', Traz-ak. (Behold the length of the post - and the logic. ) Definitely a 'she'. Anyway, glad we're all playing nice... (thanks Dana).


If it ain't broke don't fix it?

Funny, but I remember all of the angry FFVII (and VIII) naysayers invoking the exact same phrase. Some were spitting tacks over the absence of castles in FFVII (because after all, what is an FF game without a castle? Where's the 'fantasy'?) And where-oh-where were the beloved moogles? In fact FFVII really divided the fandom causing some gamers to leave the fold, never to return - but I think that's the price of attempting to do anything new. It is simply impossible to please all gamers at all times.

I'm of two minds on the matter. I do think that there is a basic FF formula in existence, but that part of the formula involves varying degrees of innovation. As traz-ak said, each game brings a departure. Remember fat chocobos? The use of different vehicles in order to travel? Remember the strict job class system (which was overturned in V)? Overdrives? The ATB system? The materia, and the ill-fated draw system? ? Where are they now? The sphere grid system bought a compromise between the specificity of the job class system, and the generality of any character being able to fulfil any role. Some changes remain. Others get shelved.

Even the jarring mission style approach in FFX-2 is not entirely new. It was first utilised in parts of VI, which gives you the option at times, of what scenario (and even which character) you were going to play. What made FFX-2 different was that the missions were the main basis of the game rather than a feature that added variety. But the mission style is not entirely unprecedented. The use of an exclusive and unchanging party of 3 characters (who could play as different classes and change uniform) was utilised in FFIIIj to less sophisticated effect.

The glaring lack of an overworld was already present in FFX, and a hangover from that game. FFVII also had action sequences that were time-dependent and used a timer. A lot of FFX-2 is actually comprised of ideas that were retrieved from within the series and dusted off. I can't even argue that FFX-2 is their biggest departure yet, having never played other side games like 'FF Mystic Quest', FF Crystal Chronicle, or the much heralded 'FFTactics'. As traz-ak mentioned, I guess even 'Chocobo Racing' could be regarded as a type of spin-off.

But to me, those games are proof that like the Zelda series, FF does have a minor, but clear tradition of creating side games as a means of experimentation - which is important, if a franchise is to remain fresh. I don't think that the side-games are meant to be regarded in the same way that the central games are, though people are free to do so of course, it it makes them happy (or unhappy).

I agree that there is no point in change merely for the sake of it, but, at the same time I imagine that developers probably get tired of rigidly adhering to the same mind-numbing formula, especially after a certain number of games. This might also account for the large number of key players (Uematsu) included who have permanently left the company to work in different industries or start their own projects. Developers get bored of doing the same thing, even if gamers do not. "If it ain't broke don't fix it." Maybe. But you could also ask, why wait until it's visibly broken before you address a problem?

The FF franchise may not be 'broken', but I think there are many discerning gamers out there who sense that while sales are high the series is beginning to stagnate and that there are definite cracks...

You may view my heads-up regarding the changes at Square as part of my 'reiterative tendencies', but hey. The fact of the matter is, the company has seriously changed - in fact, the entire industry is teetering on the verge of a serious shake-up or a breakthrough - and, in such a way that anyone who is relying on the good ol' FF formula to remain intact may be in a for an unpleasant shock in the near future. FFXII is set on Ivalice - which is the world that FFXI is set on, is it not? Furthermore, from what I've read, it seems to me as if the battle system is going to be a blend of Square's Vagrant Story and yes, Enix's Star Ocean II system. There will no longer be a transition screen in battles, and enemies can actually be seen and avoided, thus lowering the tiresome rate of random encounters.

The battle system has always been a sorepoint not only of FF but of console RPGs in general. In short, to some of us, being ambushed by and then smacking the same old monster over the head until you reach level 60 is dull, and the reality is that many gamers play RPGs inspite of the repetitive nature of battle gameplay, rather than because of them. The story, not the gameplay is the hook, which is ironic considering the fact that it is supposed to be a game, first and foremost. But as time wears on, some of us are looking for the actual gameplay to be as exciting and compelling as the story.

FFVII laid down the gauntlet in the nineties for the entire industry by proving that it was possible to have a novel-like, in depth story, and a cinematic experience which is now regarded by some, as something to aspire to. (See Dreamcast's Shenmue series, which is incredbily story driven with high quality graphics.)

At the same time however, FFVII created as many issues as it addressed. One of the big criticisms levelled at FFVII is that it is less a game, than an example of non-interactive cinema, leading to this question - is it possible to have an in-depth, epic, high quality storyline and interactive, and varied gameplay? And - will we ever see a game with a complex storyline where the player has some input? Will there be a game that allows you to control a party of players while permitting battles in free-time? I think the race is on to try and meet this challenge, and it has led to a significant split in game development.

Square(-Enix), which has relied upon gorgeous cut-scenes, character development, unparalleled graphics and intricate storylines to hook gamers in, while they trudge through random battle after battle, now finds itself in the position of having to address the fact that much of its gameplay is repetitive and is suffered through rather than enjoyed. Platform/adventure games like Zelda on the other hand, are attempting to bolster up weak, cliched scenarios and strengthen the underlying storyline of their games by adding complexity and some imagination to them (and an added edge of maturity to the graphics, if Zelda's upcoming title is anything to go by).

SCEA/Sony's "Ico" and "Shadow of the Colossus" are not as well known as either franchise but is garnering high critical praise and a slowly growing fandom, largely because they are proving to number among those rare games that have an actual, adult storyline (even if it is not nearly as convoluted or involved as an FF story), a premise with a startling twist, an epic 'feel' and atmosphere, along with interactive, compelling gameplay.

While I don't think that it was necessarily successful, I suspect that FFX-2 was a conscious attempt to address some of the weak points of the FF franchise - mainly, the longstanding issues of deadly linearity and repetitive gameplay. Who knows? Some important development may come out of it. The fact remains that some gamers now question the necessity and relevance of an antiquated turn-based battle, especially in this day and age. To some, it represents the technological limitations of a bygone era, rather than a defining or desirable characterisitc.

Others again, are demanding a greater degree of interaction with their gaming experience. There are gamers who want to play an FF game, where their actions and their decisions actually have an impact on the course of the story, rather than feeling that they are merely a passive spectatator as an inexorable plot sweeps by them. More and more, viewers want to actually engage with and even shape the plot. FFVII opened the door for the cinematic, complex story-telling- now all that's left is for it to be fully combined with the more interactive side of gaming. It remains to be seen which company will get there first.

So no, while FFX-2 didn't work in my view, but I don't think that it was just the cheap, commercial bikini-fest that some detractors complained about. There was at least an attempt to give the gamer a greater feeling of involvement and control. I wouldn't be surprised if there is more experimentation to come in FFXII, which is bound to be the last game on the PS2 system before the move to the PS3, so will probably be a testing ground and a transitional game.

Traz-ak - are we 'mind twins'? I adore FFIX and the whole theatre motiff that ran through it. I think that it's a real gem that is severely underrated. I probably enjoyed playing it more than any other FF game (though I admit I have not played Tactics.) But I have a special attachment to, and respect for FFVII - it was my first game in the series. But it was the game really changed the way that I thought about gaming.

Well, XII will definitely be different in a lot of ways. I've been trying to avoid reading much about it, but I understand that there will be battle chocobos and a chocobo theme with some fun new twists. Also, it's set in the world of Ivalice from Tactics (which I haven't played) and there's a completely new format for the battles. I think there are supposed to be roaming monsters, sorta like Kingdom Hearts, except I think you can see the monsters before going and fighting them, unlike Kingdom Hearts, where they just sorta pop-up.

And yeah, I'm sure that after this, it'll be PS3. But I'm glad this one is on PS2 because that means I can hold off on getting a PS3.


Oh, and I didn't start playing FF till a few years ago, so I had no preconceived notions of what should or shouldn't be in the games and I was (and still am) game for a lot of different changes, twists, and innovations.

Cloud's not in love with her corpse, stupid. In our smiley he's with the true and beautiful Aeris, as in her soul and spirit. Or maybe you only count on physical appearances..? What would you do if Tifa had fat legs instead o_0

MOD NOTE: Just ignore this fellow, folks. He's gone anyway.

Somebody posted this at another forum I frequent. It's a sort of FF parody, take a look --- http://www.youtube.com/watch.php?v=FAGl9AvDbCc

My favourite Final Fantasy must be number IX and my favourite character... well just take a look at my name I don't have specific reasons why IX is my fav. It's probably because it was my first one, so it takes a very special place. I really liked the story and the characters (Beatrix rocks). I also liked it that you have a different class for each character, so you really have to think about whom your bringing along. With VII and VIII everyone can learn and use every magic, so you can just bring them all along, you don't really have to make a choice. I also liked the medieval style of IX. I likes that style better then the futuristic styles of VII and VIII.

I spend so much time on finding a copy of my own and now something terrible has happened. With Christmas they broke into our house and they took my ps2 and a couple of games, including FFIX and FFX (and one I had just gotten the day before). Unfortunately FFIX is not for sale here anymore, so I'm gonna have to search for it again. How I wish I had just put it my room, so it would still be there (they didn't take the games I kept upstairs). So right now, I'm trying to get FFX-2 on 100%. Can someone tell me if it is necessary to beat the Gunners Gauntlet to reach the 100%

No. The important thing to remember is that despite anything you might read --- it it not necessary to get 100% in one playthrough. Just get as much as you can and then start a New Game Plus. Give the Awesome Sphere to the opposite group of the one you gave it to in your first playthrough. Doing this will give you extra percentage and if you're already near 100%, then it might be enough to put you over. If not, then view some additional new scenes related to that group that open up and this should help get whatever extra percentage you still need. Also, make sure in your new Game Plus to meet with Maechen in Guadosalam in Chapter 3, hear the whistling at the end of Chapter 3 (and be "led" up the stairway) and call for the fayth at the end and answer the question in the positive. Otherwise, you can scene-skip / dialogue-skip as much as you like in your New Game Plus.


P.S. --- The Perfect Ending is only a small additional scene, the main good stuff is in the Good Ending, which you don't need 100% to get.

I haven't quite managed 100% in FFX-2 yet - 98%, so close! I'm playing FFX right now though, just trying to beat all those really hard monsters in the Battle Arena.

I have to say that neither PS2 FF game match the quality of the earlier ones though. It might not look as pretty but FF7 will always be my favourite. It had everything: great storyline, great characters, amazing battle system. Playing it through the first time I gasped at all the twists and turns... and even on my fifth play through, I was still discovering new things. I think that's the mark of a great plot: that you can read it multiple times and you still gain new insights. FF7 was the first one I played too, so it always has a special place in my heart for that.

I have a soft spot for FFIX as well; it was like a lovely throwback to traditional medieval RPGs. And Zidane's so cute with his monkey tail. I liked that the characters were so interesting and different - not with perfect features - except for Garnet anyway.

Well, it's been ages since I've posted here, and that's just too bad, so I decided to finally return to the beloved FF thread. And my chosen topic of conversation... I'm returning to an old one: Does anyone here know anything about the release of Advent Children? I knew they pushed its US release further back from the last time I knew it, but I was realizing I had no idea when it's supposed to come out now. So I went to see what Amazon said, and... Well... it can't be right. It seems like some sort of cruel joke. Amazon lists its release date as January 1, 2010... 2010?! 2010?!!! That's absurd! It can't be right. I intend to investigate further, but I figured I'd see if anyone else here knew anything about it?

Anyway... So does anybody here read (or have heard of) 8-bit Theatre? It's a sprite webcomic that I discovered last summer and have been addicted to ever since. I ask because it's based on Final Fantasy (the original FF, back in the 8-bit days, hence the name). Just wondering. It's hilarious. If you haven't, I highly recommend it.

Whoa I see long posts o_O
Er my favourite FF is probably FFVII, and FFVIII comes in second favourite character however'd probably be er .. Vincent Valentine from 7, yes =D

Ask and ye shall receive, eh? I asked if anyone had word on Advent Children (OBVIOUSLY erroneously reported by Amazon the other day to be released in 2010), and I just stumbled across some news at AICN. They had this to say about it: