[Spank-A-Thon]

Hey, some brand new info about the FFX-2 gameplay. I would have stuck this in the other thread, but that was more of a speculative thread - these are facts baby!

Source: Link

One of the most striking elements contained in the linked article above was the sphere-grid (from FFX) like screenshots. We already reported the sphere-grid isn't present in FFX-2 and although this looks like it (on a very small scale), the shots actually depict a new Result Plate System (RPS).

This system revolves around learned skills that can be used in battle. As you should know by now, the FFX-2 girls have a dress-up mode that enables them to enter combat in different costumes - the relevance being that the clothes they wear grant abilities specific to that guise.

The RPS allows you to access skills from other costumes. Once you have learned a specific skill, you can place its icon in the RPS before battle - this will enable you to now use that ability during fights. There are some skills, however, which are character specific - these won't be accessible through the RPS for the other girls.

Speaking of dress-up mode, we've have a couple of small details on the three new outfits depicted last Friday. We spoke on these particular costumes before but we can clarify that Yuna's Dark Gunner missile attack is the game's enemy skill method - called blue magic in recent FFs - where you can learn abilities from the enemies you fight (some of which are typically very powerful and useful).

Paine's katana weapon when in Samurai dress-up comes with a light beam attack (sounds like it's a long range move, which is always handy). Finally, Rikku's Black Mage guise not only has the MP Absorb but also harbours all the elemental magic and at all three levels, to boot. Incidentally, below is Rikku's Gambler dress-up transformation.

Character wise, we can update the info on new boy Baralai by saying he knows of an ultimate weapon called Victorious Gun located in Bevelle. If this runs true to FF form, this isn't a literal gun - weapons in FF are usually huge bosses, some of which are the hardest enemies in the game. Even better though, is that located in the same place is the dark aeon Black Bahamut - whohooo and all that.

We speculated that earlier shots were Bahamut and it now seems that prediction has proven true, which is fantastic news for fans of the series.

There's still no news on the UK release front but we'll let you know as soon as anything is announced.

I like the sound of this new system, even if it does sound similar to the FFIX an FFT systems (i.e. learning abilities via classes). Plus I'm kinda looking forward to the idea of changing clothes! I mean, RPG heros must smell real bad by the end of their quests - they never seem to have a change of clothes!

Anyways, just thought I'd share some info.

- S