Final Fantasy X-2 Ships to North American RetailersPosted on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 @ 12:57:22 am E.S.T
Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. ("SquareEnix U.S.A."), the publisher of Square Enix(TM) products in North America, announced that FINAL FANTASY(R) X-2 for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system ships to North American retailers today. FINAL FANTASY X-2, the first female-led FINAL FANTASY game in the franchise's history, is the sequel to FINAL FANTASY X, one of the best-selling PlayStation 2 titles. Released in December 2001 in North America, FINAL FANTASY X has sold over 6.4 million units worldwide to date.
FINAL FANTASY X-2 will be available at a suggested retail price of $49.99 (USD). The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated FINAL FANTASY X-2 "T" for Teen.
FINAL FANTASY X-2 has received outstanding reviews for its graphics, presentation, story, and characters and has earned the following review scores from enthusiast outlets:
- "9.5 out of 10" and "IGN.com's Editors' Choice Award" -- IGNPS2
- "9 out of 10" -- GMR, December 2003 issue
- "5 out of 5" -- Official PlayStation Magazine, December 2003 issue
- "Graphics 5, Sound 4.5, Controls 4, Fun Factor 4.5, all out of 5" -- GamePro, December 2003 issue
- "A" -- GameNOW, December 2003 issue
About FINAL FANTASY X-2
FINAL FANTASY X-2 is the first sequel in the long respected series. While keeping the series' traditions, the sequel stays fresh with the inclusion of several new gameplay elements. Among them, the reintroduction of the
ATB (active time battle) system accelerates the pace and thrill of battles. FINAL FANTASY X-2 is also the first mission-based FINAL FANTASY, allowing for non-linear gameplay and features new and unique job classes, which provide diverse looks for the leading female characters and an enhanced character development system. The first female-led FINAL FANTASY hails the return of a free-spirited Yuna, her enthusiastic cousin Rikku and introduces Paine, their sarcastic, hardnosed friend. The game is filled with light-hearted and melancholy moments, fueled by a tragic story of unrequited love and ominous secrets that threaten the peace of their world, Spira.
Taking place two years after Yuna's fateful journey to defeat Sin in FINAL FANTASY X, the once chaotic world of Spira has gone through a massive transformation, entering a period of "Eternal Calm." Despite the Calm, Yuna's
heart is empty and longs for her lost love. When she obtains a mystical sphere that contains imagery of what might be the Blitzball player she thought was gone forever, Yuna is driven to seek the truth behind what she has seen.
Throughout the land of Spira, players will find "spheres" which contain visual recordings of historical events. The trio of "sphere hunters" -- Yuna, Rikku and Paine -- is out to search and collect the spheres. "Dress spheres"
are also collected, opening up different types of jobs ranging from Warrior, White Mage, Alchemist to Trainer and many more, all of which can be changed in the heat of battle. In addition, dynamic movements have been incorporated
into gameplay resulting in a deeper immersion of the game.
Additional information on FINAL FANTASY X-2 can be found at http://www.square-enix-usa.com/games/FFX-2.
Merchandise
BradyGames' FINAL FANTASY X-2 Official Strategy Guide will provide hours of entertainment and replay value with its expansive game coverage and exclusive extras in this massive 352-page "Signature Series" guide. The guide
includes a comprehensive walkthrough, coverage of all garment grids and dressspheres, an all-inclusive bestiary, boss strategy, coverage of all mini-games, special poster and more. The Official Strategy Guide will be priced at $15.99 US / $22.99 CAN. It also is available for purchase online at http://www.bradygames.com.
For those die-hard fans, BradyGames is offering another collectible -- a FINAL FANTASY X-2 Limited Edition guide. This exclusive guide includes a 96-page art book featuring intricate FINAL FANTASY X-2 and FINAL FANTASY X art by main character designer Tetsuya Nomura, plus BradyGames' Signature Series Guide for FINAL FANTASY X-2 with one of three collectible covers -- Yuna, Paine or Rikku -- all packaged in a deluxe jacket. The Limited Edition product will be priced at $29.99 US / $42.99 CAN.
Fans of the series can also find FINAL FANTASY X-2 related action figures
from Square Enix Co., Ltd. Square Enix has created fully articulated and
painted, six-inch FINAL FANTASY X-2 action figures of the game's three lead
characters, Yuna, Rikku and Paine. Figures are currently available at
specialty stores for a suggested retail price of $14.99 (US). A list of shops
offering the toys is available at http://csls.diamondcomics.com.
Marketing and Advertising Support
The launch of FINAL FANTASY X-2 is supported by one of the largest
television advertising campaigns to date for the series, which will kick-off
December 1 and continue through January. The spots will run in various time
slots on target network, cable and syndicated programming such as Comedy
Central, MTV, Spike TV, WWE and UPN (Smackdown). Promotions in conjunction
with FINAL FANTASY X-2 include Comedy Central's "The Man Show," MTV's "Sunday
Night Stew," SpikeTV's "Stripperella," and WWE's "Armageddon". The combined
print and online advertising campaigns will reach millions of gamers over a
course of three months, from November through January. A playable demo, a
short movie titled "FINAL FANTASY X-2: Prologue," developers' interviews and
an in-depth look at the game is included in the December 2003 cover story
issue of Official PlayStation Magazine, which is available now at newsstands
nationwide.
About Square Enix Co. Ltd. and Square Enix U.S.A., Inc.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix)
develops, publishes and distributes entertainment contents including
interactive entertainment software and publications in Japan, North America,
Europe and Asia. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises --
FINAL FANTASY(R), which has sold over 45 million units worldwide and DRAGON
QUEST (DRAGON WARRIOR(R) in North America) which has sold over 30 million
units worldwide -- under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential
providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push
the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
Square Enix U.S.A. Inc., located in Los Angeles, Calif., handles
operations in North America including localization, marketing and publishing
of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix U.S.A. can be found on
the Internet at http://www.square-enix-usa.com.
(C) 2003 Square Enix Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Main Character
Design: Tetsuya Nomura. Alternate Costume Design: Tetsu Tsukamoto. FINAL
FANTASY is a registered trademark of Square Enix Co., Ltd. Square Enix is a
trademark of Square Enix Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Developed by Square
Enix. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners. Posted By: Adam Paoli - 487 Reads
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