DuDs: FFX-2 YRP

Time for another DuDs! As a long time standing fan of the FFX/FFX2 story, I just had to get the FFX-2 logo shirt as well!

Originally, I was trying to get a plain Rikku solo shirt, but none of the options from Redbubble provided something that would sate my 'want'. So I decided with this because it's classic. It has Rikku, and like I said, it's a representation of a game that I love (and still play) to this day. Now I have both the FFX shirt and this one to compliment each other! 

Playarts: Rikku (Redo Review 2016)

With the coming of Final Fantasy XV, I wanted to touch base on some of the Final Fantasy paraphernalia that I own in my collection. It is inevitable that I will be getting more Final Fantasy based figures or what not, but until I do, let me go back to a blast in the past to the Playarts that started it all: The FFX-2 Playarts, Rikku!

 

Apparently I can't shoot photos for crap. Random little note. But here is the box for Playarts Rikku and it is pretty apparent that this will be the skeleton for Playarts figures to come for more than a few recognizable waves. It didn't really change completely until the second overhaul of Playarts Kai when we start seeing a 'door' with our open window. Regardless, we have Rikku with a window, official artwork both CG and drawn, then it features Yuna and Paine and instructions on how to build her stand.... okay moving on(as if we needed to know that).

Now as I go through this throw back review, I will try and always mention that Playarts Rikku is about 13 years out of date. She was released in 2003 so when we get a picture with this kind of accessory for a Playarts (I did not include the stand because this particular out of box Rikku has loaned her stand to someone else; yes I have two of these Rikku; used to have three!), the judgement and pitchforks will not come out as fast. Lack of variations in arms and absolutely NO interchangeable face, Playarts was definitely not what it is now with its Kai version.

Now, right off the get go, the ensemble(or whatever clothes Rikku wears anyways) definitely imitates Rikku's default Thief dress sphere. Even in their early days, Playarts was definitely up there when it comes to awesome paint, great sculpting to get the aesthetics, and of course there is something to be said with the 'additional' pervy appreciation with her thong(I did not take a picture of that though). BUT the skin tone is a bit off. Rikku has a bit of a tan to her... which makes sense with how little clothing she wears. The face isn't as "Rikkuness" as we would want either and those spiral green eyes are missing!

Now what really hurts this figure is the articulation. The possibility is as basic as your classic Toybiz days with a few additional swivels(ankle and arms). Not only that, the way she is sculpted, it is rather awkward to have her pose for a shot! Even if I wanted to, I could not get Rikku into a familiar stance! No "YRP" posing for her in this case. Even with the addition of the dagger wielding hand, it lacks the proper ability to turn so suffice it to say, it comes short of making the dynamics of the figure to the next step. Though some might get a kick with the 'articulation' on her hair and her scarf.... one can twist the scarf since it is sculpted separately and her long 'pony tail' is also a separate piece. Both are made of this soft 'rubber' like material.

She can do that pose! That's one thing that is somewhat relatable to a Rikku-like signature stance.

All in all, this Rikku does not have what it takes to stand up to the present versions of the Playarts line up. I would truly like it if Square Enix revisits the X-2 line up and pay homage to the three figures that paved the way with a Kai version... BUT.... won't hold my breath. Regardless, with some great sculpting and a decent likeness to our spunky Al Bhed, one can truly get something out of this figure. Though for collectors who are fans of great dynamic poses and articulation, do not expect much of this figure. Funny little fact, she still fetches for a decent price on the market as she did sometime back. Probably because this is it when it comes to a X-2 version of Rikku that isn't a miniature figurine like. So with that said, I do not regret having her in my collection. I just keep in mind that most of her qualities as a figure are expired an did not survive the test of time. 

Damsel of the Month:

Name/Alias: Yuna, "High Summoner"

Game/Series: Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy X-2, Kingdom Hearts 2, Dissidia

Some Words: FFX/X2 HD comes out this month so is it the main reason why Yuna deserves the month Damsel of the Month? Well, no. She deserves it for a lot of reason, butt it's a good icing on the cake that 'her game' comes out this month. Of course her fellow FFX member, Rikku, had already received the notable mention last Christmas but with reptile eye's art on the right, she is getting some assistance for some bondage action! So putting the bondage aside for a moment, Yuna wasn't that enamoring for me in FFX visage wise. Maybe that's the conservative side I don't particularly like when I'm looking at my video game gals, but honestly, I like Yuna's 'heart'. She is the 'good-girl-I'll-do-anything-to-save-anyone'. So that part is a win. When she became the main character for the FFX-2, she had a complete redo of her outfit and I drooled(and Rikku's outfit….!)

Art by LoZ

So the paradigm shift(pun for you FFXIII lovers) is more than apparent and not entirely received with jubilance. Honestly for me, I like it for my own perverted reason! Now I will also say that there are some wardrobe failures with how … 'different' she is compared to her FFX version, but HEY! She is noteworthy for some bondage on both costumes! Geekling from DA thinks so in that picture on the right! Let's put it this way, FFX, there is a certain beauty to her reservations and in FFX-2, the imagination is decreased but hey it for sure shows that the girl has gotten some change in confidence, huh?!

Speaking of costume, like Rikku, Yuna has a plethora of outfit to pick and choose through her dressphere selection! Gunner is still my favorite out of the bunch though she would look good with more 'natural' bondage on her songstress outfit!

Speaking of dresspheres, YRP all have their share in their bondage love, don't they? Mugen-Nawashi from DA thinks so anyways!

And so does Karouso Maker! Rikku would make a fantastic dom!

Oh and of course Lost One Zero would do more great D.I.D. art of the great YRP in distress!

Wish  this really happened in the game! Art by: burnup19 from DA

Yuna also has a submissive personality to her that would really make it seem that she would enjoy her distressing situation. I believe with the proper push, her submissive side would come to enjoy some forced… arousal mood. A couple of fanfics explored that side of her but of course the games has to keep insinuations submerged! Guess that's where fanfics and fan arts comes in handy!

And of course Loz is more than kind to provide us with a couple of fan art of her bondage. And Miss Yuna just doesn't get into trouble by herself! Her fellow FF gals get into it with her as well!

Her and Quisitis seems to be getting into enough trouble as it is under Erickson's whim! Check out his page to get more variants of this scene!

More of Loz's art that depicts her getting in trouble with Quistis again AND some other prominent FF gals like Tifa!

YRP and Lulu. Couldn't find the artist.

Karouso-Maker DiD some art of FF gals like the one above. Shame that he missed the minor blue/green eyes of Yuna though.

And we've seen the art above in Rikku's month, but it's always nice to recap it since it is the two getting bound and captured together. Still a bigger fan of the X-2 outfit of Rikku's! She has a couple of solos as we have seen. She seems to like to get stuck on the worst places possible though:

The picture below is also brought to my attention by a fellow Deviant; for some reason, I didn't have this piece saved thus why I didn't use it before!

Darkshadow

Yuna is indeed a perfect damsel. Honestly, she probably would be a funner damsel in her X-2 personality than her lul and dull version in FFX(admittedly, I like her best personality wise in FFX). Yuna have always been the 'girl next door' charmer but FFX-2 DiD away with that by giving her a complete makeover! Though a change in visage equals to a lot of GREAT DiD scenes and the artists have provided indeed! Rikku agrees as well!

Art by Mistereye

A piece I commissioned from GREAT-DUDE!

With an HD remix coming out of both games, it's a good thing that Rikku and Yuna have gotten their tastes of bondage and have been deemed worthy more than once their fruitless struggling! Sometimes a damsel speaks for itself and for sure Yuna is one of those that can 'mmmppphhhh' herself into great glory in her endeavors. Pictures are worth a thousand words as well and far better words than her song she sang in the Thunder Plains… I wish someone gagged her at that moment(love you Yuna!). Well… HD remix tomorrow! Next month is a special month as well! Who will be the Damsel of April?!

EDIT(I might just start doing this for edited works): 

Reptileye is the artist. Commissioner. Alternate version.

A Contrasting Visage

Just a little rant for this game I will be purchasing sometime in the future(actually, already paid for just waiting for the 'set in stone' release date). While there are many who will more than send off their tirades that FFX-2 is where the destruction of Final Fantasy began with Square Enix taking over, I say who gives a care? I mean, I am still more than adamant that FFXIII-2 is the most abhorrent out of ALL the Final Fantasy spin offs, but here I am still more than willing to say that AT LEAST there was some sort of solace in that game if one tries hard enough!!! So going with FFX-2, there is something charming about this game; unless one isn't into pretty girls jovially flaunting their assets the way they do in this game! So enough of that rebuttal of what is and what isn't between the ever so on going war of Final Fantasy Fans. Let's talk improvement!

(I used a couple of sources for these images. The most 'helpful' one with the implemented fonts belongs to: Examiner.com: FFX2 HD graphics)

Final Fantasy X/X-2 In game:

The Original graphics of FFX in game

Enhanced graphics for the HD remix

Now one has to forgive me if I am a bit more enthusiastic with FFX-2's images. For the record, I know for a fact that FFX's story and maturity was far more elating than FFX-2, but again, to me there was something charming about the game. I think people who hate Rikku who are male just haven't had the full throttle sensuality of a woman(I know, that was a rather ingenious point out, but I can have some immature whims at any point in my blog; I'm sure the assumption is not entirely correct though!)

Again thanks to examiner.com for the images!

Let's not indulge too much on one of the hottest gals of Final Fantasy and take a look at the rest of the freaking Gullwings!

So the in game cut scenes are more vibrant, smoother, and details are a bit more prominent. I believe in game itself when the player is controlling the character have some pictures out in the space of the web but I'll leave that be for now. I'm elated to see the in game combat though! Now as for the cut scenes themselves ... 

Nostalgic original opening.

Enhanced High Definition.

Way back when the cut scenes were amazing as all hell as it was. 

Cut scenes wise there is a few things to be able to scrutinize, but again, it already looked damn good before. Unless we are sitting here trying to compare it to FFXIII's exuberant graphics! That would be asinine indeed to say so since well, FFXIII is the pinnacle of Square Enix at this given moment. Anyways, before I tangent off, that is it for now. I'm sure there will be more teasers before the game gets released. Still waiting on a release date by the way.