#WATCH: Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster trailer

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Time to crack out the potions and the phoenix downs, maybe even an elixir or two, because we’re going back to Spira! Again…

Square-Enix is taking us back to that timeless tale of Final Fantasy X, with Final Fantasy X-2 included in the package for Playstation 4. Still no re-release for Xbox fans… Sorry ’bout it. [Editor’s Note: we aren’t sorry. You got some great games over there in Xbox-land, so we are keeping the Final Fantasy franchise *pokes out tongue*]

But wait: didn’t we go on the journey again last year? Oh, that’s right it was back on the Playstation 3 and Vita only a year ago. By the look of things, Square-Enix won’t be happy until Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is on every Sony platform.

It really does seem Square-Enix is content to troll away. First there was the Final Fantasy VII re-release for PS4, now this? After the Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster for Playstation 3 many of us had hoped for a Final Fantasy XII HD version, with all that Japan exclusive content for our Western eyes, all in Square-Enix HD remaster style (Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, finally!!). No such luck…

So, what’s on offer this time around? Well, for owners of the original remaster for Playstation 3 you’ll be delighted to find you can change back the remade music back to that of the original Playstation 2 game. It’s an interesting feature, considering the remade soundtrack in the Playstation 3 version was a bit hit or miss… That being said, you can’t apply it to individual tracks so it’s an all or nothing deal.

Another update exclusive to this version is improved NPC character models in places, to go with those fancy updated character models for the main cast created for the Playstation 3 version.

There’s also cross-save functionality between this and the existing remasters. Not entirely sure what use that is, considering most owners of the Playstation 3 version aren’t really getting much more on top to warrant the price, but hey, it’s there…

For those of you that missed the remaster the first time round, you’re in for a treat. Boasting a whole host of upgrades, the remaster includes remade character models for the main cast with additional remastered models for this second re-release to add a touch of current gen along with a remade soundtrack in places (which can now be switched back to the original).

On the content front, this game is booming and is definitely worth a pick-up even if you had the Playstation 2 version. Back in the day, Japan received ‘international versions’ of both Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 which added a whole batch of extra content, with additional superbosses and other extras for X and an entire extra episode along with extra dresspheres and a creature create system for Final Fantasy X-2.

Quick word of warning, if you live in the PAL region then your PS2 version of Final Fantasy X already had it all, so your extra content is waiting in Final Fantasy X-2, with the exception of a little bridge episode between the stories of Final Fantasy X and X-2.

Of course, you’ll still be getting all the updated visuals and music, and one last little bonus; an audio drama entitled Final Fantasy X: Will that adds to the story a few years after the events of X-2. Be warned, it’s not all smiles and sunshine in Spira!

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster is definitely worth picking up for fans of the original that didn’t manage to get their hands on the international versions (or can’t read Japanese). The visuals are quite dated, even with the update, and with each re-release it’s only going to become more pronounced (think how the Playstation 5 version will look in comparison!). But this is a classic we’re talking about and a classic is always worth re-living.

For everyone that got their hands on the PS3 or Vita versions however there probably isn’t enough content to keep you coming back for more, unless you really are a die-hard fan willing to pay the full price of another game. But be sure to check out the beautifully put together trailer… with disclaimers that remind us all review quotes are from the Playstation 3 version.