|
In a prequel
story to the game (a bonus ending on the international version of Final
Fantasy X, also released on a Playstation
Magazine demo disc), Yuna is
dealing with the aftermath of having saved the world. The factions
flowering in the Eternal Calm all want her support of their ideologies,
and she is rudderless now that she has fulfilled her purpose for living
and lost her beloved. Rikku arrives with a memory sphere found by
Kimahri showing someone very like Tidus in a dark place, being
punished. She convinces Yuna that she's done her duty to the world and
deserves to follow her heart.
The game is
punctuated by Yuna addressing Tidus (as if writing a letter to a
distant loved one) with her thoughts and memories of the places they
pass through and their own relationship, as she searches for a place in
the new world.
The main
storyline of the game follows the clash of philosphical factions as
their struggles uncover some nasty legacies from Spira's ancient
history.
- Headed by Maevyn
Nooj, the Youth
League is a radical
organisation that encourages a massive upheaval of the systems which
have dominated Spira for the past millennium. They preach complete
freedom of speech, attracting support from Spira's younger generation
and the former members of the Crusaders, who were disbanded after the
defeat of Sin.
- Opposite
them is New Yevon,
a conservative
group led by Praetor
Baralai. Inspired by the now-defunct Yevon
religion, New Yevon promises to make up for their predecessor's false
teachings by aiding those who feel overwhelmed by the rapid changes
sweeping Spira. Their motto is "One Thing At A Time", believing that a
slow evolution of Spira's customs is the only way to prevent complete anarchy.
Following the forced resignation of the last praetor, New Yevon is run
by a committee of younger members. If Yuna choses New Yevon, the
maximum game completion percentage is 99.7%.
- A third
philosophy, the Machine Faction,
prefers to stay out of the main political conflict in Spira, but their
awesome military influence makes them a relevant factor. Headed by an Al Bhed
called Gippal,
the Machine Faction are pioneers of machina research, which was banned
during the Yevon reign of Spira. The Machine Faction are entirely
composed of Al Bhed, and use the term "machine" to distance their
creations from the negative connotations of "machina".
A significant
portion of the game is unnecessary for completion of the main
storyline, but much of the depth of the game is in the optional
content, which generally follows how each part of Spira is healing,
along with Yuna's search for Tidus. The themes of the game include
searching for identity and acceptance of that identity, as well as
coming to terms with loss, change, and the limits of personal
responsibility. Like other second-time
saviors, Yuna comes to reject
the notion that sacrifice is the only way to solve problems.
|
