"But I did watch my brother play FFX-2, and I have to say that it's... really corny."

That's certainly true. The job system was an interesting addition, but everything else was average or worse. The game was almost nothing like FFX, really.

I certainly would've much preferred a serious continuation of FFX's storyline with the same battle system, and the same or a slightly revised Sphere Grid instead of going back to old fashioned level ups.