Can you name an entry in the Final Fantasy franchise that elicits such a strong response as Final Fantasy X-2? For such a change of pace in a series that staunchly avoided direct sequels, it was an interesting direction to take with it's first proper direct sequel. Despite receiving some solid reviews, fan reception was more mixed... and harsh at times.

Listen, I get it. Going from such an at-times serious story from Final Fantasy X with it's diverse cast to a game that's centered around an all girl group of treasure hunters that let you play "dress up" to change jobs was a strange choice. I've played through it once on the Playstation 2, am currently doing the same with the HD Remaster on the Playstation 3, and it still strikes me as feeling slightly off in comparison to it's predecessor. But if taken in through a different context it all feels sort of, well, different.

Taken on it's own, Final Fantasy X-2 is actually a rather solid game. The graphics were great, the battle system was fast paced and full of action. Let's not forget that the job system returned in the form of dress spheres and actually let you swap jobs on the fly during battle. The mission based progression of the story was also a unique approach for a Final Fantasy game. Sure, if you erased all ties to Final Fantasy X, and made the story about a new group of women as they search the world for spheres regarding the lead woman's lost love, it would have probably be seen as a bigger elephant in the room.

So when you look at it, it's these ties to Final Fantasy X that both make it and break it for the game. What would have been a much more derided entry in the series if it was completely independent is also held under a closer microscope thanks to it's parent material. Final Fantasy X was such a sweeping, at times touching, at other times saddening, but always an epic journey to take. Final Fantasy X-2 just seemed mostly silly, fluffy and "flowery" romp over Spira. It's like the pieces of candy at the bottom of the bag that's covered in too much sugar for it's own good.

However, if we're being honest, the people who should really be appreciating and taking the dive into the shoes of Yuna, Rikku, and Paine should be those who absolutely, unabashedly love Final Fantasy X. Being able to trek across Spira after the Eternal Calm brought peace from Sin, seeing how central characters have fared and changed brought a sense of nostalgia that was entirely new to the series.

I fell in love with Final Fantasy X and the gorgeous world of Spira from day one. The snow capped mountains, sandy beaches, and cities crawling with citizens, it grabbed me from the minute I washed up on shore next to Wakka and the Aurochs off the coast of Besaid. The world felt alive to me, I understood the plight of these people who lived every day in fear of whether Sin would come and threaten their livelihood. When the quest was over, and the day was saved, I was sad to see it end.

It's people who have that same feeling towards Final Fantasy X that X-2 should truly appeal to. Being able to see how Wakka and Lulu's lives have changed since Yuna became a high summoner was great. As was seeing what has become of the old Yevon temples, and the new factions that arose from the ashes of the Yevon religion. Old characters you loved or hated returned to sate your hunger for Spira, and new characters were introduced to keep things fresh.

Honestly, the entire game felt very much like a love letter to every fan who fell in love with Final Fantasy X. Was the choice to follow YRP and the Gullwings, in all their dress-up, Charlie's Angels-esque glory, ridiculous at times? Sure it was. But at the end of the day, being able to once more journey across the landscape that enthralled me from day one, and see all these characters I got attached to was worth it. Square definitely deserves some props for giving that, for it's time, unheard of opportunity.