The first direct sequel to a Final Fantasy game, Final Fantasy X2, was released on March 13th, 2003 in Japan and on November 18th in North America. The game continued the story of Yuna and Rikku from Final Fantasy 10 and was also the first title in the series to feature not only a female lead character, but an all-female cast.
2003 also saw the release of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, a new spin on the engine used for Final Fantasy Tactics. The game features the world of Ivalice for the first time and introduced some new battle concepts while staying true to the strategic roots of it’s predecessor.
The year 2004 also proved lucrative for Final Fantasy fans as Final Fantasy 1 & 2 were given the Gameboy Advance treatment in both Japan and North America. These two classics look very good on the GBA, and gameplay had been improved since the Wonderswan Color and Playstation installations. This release was titled Dawn of Souls.
Final Fantasy 4 was the next title to receive a GBA release. Updated graphics and a fully revised translation made this game a must-play, even for long-time FF4 fans. Called Final Fantasy IV Advance, it wouldn’t be long before the other SNES titles were given the same treatment.
The first spin-off game in the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII was also released in 2004. Before Crisis was a big hit on Japanese cell phones but, while a North American release has been rumored (on the PSP at that!), nothing has been confirmed as of this writing.
For it’s last outing on the Playstation 2 console in the main numbered series, Square released Final Fantasy 12, a magnificent achievement of gameplay and graphics. The new battle system caused some old-school gamers to knock the title, but it’s sales have hushed them. FF12 follows the story of Vaan, a wannabe Sky Pirate who ends up (you guessed it!) having to help save the world. FF12 was released in Japan on March 16th, 2006, and on October 31st, 2006 in North America.
2006 also saw the release of Final Fantasy V Advance and Final Fantasy VI Advance, two new ports of the original SNES titles. Updated graphics, new translations, and many bug fixes were found in each, and gamers continued to gobble up the remakes.
Steve