Exciting New Adventures Await Gamers in the Highly-Anticipated FINAL FANTASY X-2, Shipping to North American Retailers Today Female-Led Sequel to FINAL FANTASY X Features Three Heroines Facing Unknown Dangers in Action-Packed, Mission-Based Gameplay LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18 - Square Enix U.S.A., Inc. ("Square Enix U.S.A."), the publisher of Square Enix(TM) products in North America, announced that FINAL FANTASY® X-2 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system ships to North American retailers today. FINAL FANTASY X-2, the first female-led FINAL FANTASY game in the franchise's history, is the sequel to FINAL FANTASY X, one of the best-selling PlayStation 2 titles. Released in December 2001 in North America, FINAL FANTASY X has sold over 6.4 million units worldwide to date. FINAL FANTASY X-2 will be available at a suggested retail price of $49.99 (USD). The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated FINAL FANTASY X-2 "T" for Teen. FINAL FANTASY X-2 has received outstanding reviews for its graphics, presentation, story, and characters and has earned the following review scores from enthusiast outlets: "9.5 out of 10" and "IGN.com's Editors' Choice Award" -- IGNPS2 "9 out of 10" -- GMR, December 2003 issue "5 out of 5" -- Official PlayStation Magazine, December 2003 issue "Graphics 5, Sound 4.5, Controls 4, Fun Factor 4.5, all out of 5" -- GamePro, December 2003 issue "A" -- GameNOW, December 2003 issue About FINAL FANTASY X-2 FINAL FANTASY X-2 is the first sequel in the long respected series. While keeping the series' traditions, the sequel stays fresh with the inclusion of several new gameplay elements. Among them, the reintroduction of the ATB (active time battle) system accelerates the pace and thrill of battles. FINAL FANTASY X-2 is also the first mission-based FINAL FANTASY, allowing for non-linear gameplay and features new and unique job classes, which provide diverse looks for the leading female characters and an enhanced character development system. The first female-led FINAL FANTASY hails the return of a free-spirited Yuna, her enthusiastic cousin Rikku and introduces Paine, their sarcastic, hardnosed friend. The game is filled with light-hearted and melancholy moments, fueled by a tragic story of unrequited love and ominous secrets that threaten the peace of their world, Spira. Taking place two years after Yuna's fateful journey to defeat Sin in FINAL FANTASY X, the once chaotic world of Spira has gone through a massive transformation, entering a period of "Eternal Calm." Despite the Calm, Yuna's heart is empty and longs for her lost love. When she obtains a mystical sphere that contains imagery of what might be the Blitzball player she thought was gone forever, Yuna is driven to seek the truth behind what she has seen. Throughout the land of Spira, players will find "spheres" which contain visual recordings of historical events. The trio of "sphere hunters" -- Yuna, Rikku and Paine -- is out to search and collect the spheres. "Dress spheres" are also collected, opening up different types of jobs ranging from Warrior, White Mage, Alchemist to Trainer and many more, all of which can be changed in the heat of battle. In addition, dynamic movements have been incorporated into gameplay resulting in a deeper immersion of the game. Additional information on FINAL FANTASY X-2 can be found at http://www.square-enix-usa.com/games/FFX-2 . Merchandise BradyGames' FINAL FANTASY X-2 Official Strategy Guide will provide hours of entertainment and replay value with its expansive game coverage and exclusive extras in this massive 352-page "Signature Series" guide. The guide includes a comprehensive walkthrough, coverage of all garment grids and dressspheres, an all-inclusive bestiary, boss strategy, coverage of all mini-games, special poster and more. The Official Strategy Guide will be priced at $15.99 US / $22.99 CAN. It also is available for purchase online at http://www.bradygames.com . For those die-hard fans, BradyGames is offering another collectible -- a FINAL FANTASY X-2 Limited Edition guide. This exclusive guide includes a 96-page art book featuring intricate FINAL FANTASY X-2 and FINAL FANTASY X art by main character designer Tetsuya Nomura, plus BradyGames' Signature Series Guide for FINAL FANTASY X-2 with one of three collectible covers -- Yuna, Paine or Rikku -- all packaged in a deluxe jacket. The Limited Edition product will be priced at $29.99 US / $42.99 CAN. Fans of the series can also find FINAL FANTASY X-2 related action figures from Square Enix Co., Ltd. Square Enix has created fully articulated and painted, six-inch FINAL FANTASY X-2 action figures of the game's three lead characters, Yuna, Rikku and Paine. Figures are currently available at specialty stores for a suggested retail price of $14.99 (US). A list of shops offering the toys is available at http://csls.diamondcomics.com . Marketing and Advertising Support The launch of FINAL FANTASY X-2 is supported by one of the largest television advertising campaigns to date for the series, which will kick-off December 1 and continue through January. The spots will run in various time slots on target network, cable and syndicated programming such as Comedy Central, MTV, Spike TV, WWE and UPN (Smackdown). Promotions in conjunction with FINAL FANTASY X-2 include Comedy Central's "The Man Show," MTV's "Sunday Night Stew," SpikeTV's "Stripperella," and WWE's "Armageddon". The combined print and online advertising campaigns will reach millions of gamers over a course of three months, from November through January. A playable demo, a short movie titled "FINAL FANTASY X-2: Prologue," developers' interviews and an in-depth look at the game is included in the December 2003 cover story issue of Official PlayStation Magazine, which is available now at newsstands nationwide.