You'd be hard pressed to find a fan who feels that there's a single better game to represent the Final Fantasy series besides FFVII, but FFX certainly gave it a run for its money. It was the first Final Fantasy game to use motion capture, which, coupled with voiceovers, another series first, allowed for characters to emote on a significantly higher level than any other game in the series. It also helped retain the popularity of Sony's PS2, selling over 6 million copies. It also was the first FF game to receive a direct sequel, and if one of the series' key staffers has his way, there could be another.
Whether or not you recognize the name Kazushige Nojima, if you've played a Final Fantasy game in the last few years, you're familiar with his work. Nojima has worked as a scenario writer for the series, having contributed to Final Fantasy VII, X, X-2, XIII, XV, and all of the VII offshoots.
The hotly anticipated HD revamp for Final Fantasy X and X-2 hit Japan this week, and along with came a book. In this book, Nojima is quoted (translated by Siliconera) as saying, "If there's enough demand, then we may possibly see new developments," he says. "I would personally like to see a sequel like X-3."
While it's not exactly a confirmation, it seems like a possibility, especially if the HD version sells like hotcakes.
But what could a third game hold for some of the game's characters? Well, it looks like Nojima already has a plan for that. Besides the book, Final Fantasy X / X-2 HD Remaster also contains an audio drama, "Final Fantasy X -Will-," written by Nojima, setting up how a third game could play out. If you're intrigued, bear in mind, potential SPOILERS lie ahead.
The drama is set two years after Yuna and the rest of the girl power ensemble save Spira once again, and focuses on two new characters, buddies Chaumi and Kurgum. It features a few FF familiars like Tidus, Wakka, Lulu, and Yuna, and closes out with the return of Sin, the leviathan sized baddy from FFX, and Yuna promising to defeat it once again. Vague? Sure it is, but if a third game is in the works, you can't give away too much.
Whether this is how they'll set up Final Fantasy X-3, or if there will be one at all remains to be seen. The two new consoles could be an exciting thing for Square Enix to explore, and some easily recognized characters and settings could help the developer lay claim to uncharted, next-gen territory. But it's all a numbers game really, and we'll have to see how Final Fantasy X / X-2 HD Remaster fares when it releases in the rest of the world on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita this March.
