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Lightning Returns in New Final Fantasy XIII Console Game

No, not that other FF XIII game you've been waiting for.

Continuing Square-Enix’s love affair with the character Lightning, a new game has been announced for consoles that focuses on her greatest and final battle.  Lightning’s powers grew beyond those of a normal human during the FF XIII-2 storyline and will continue to expand in this new game titled Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, which is set to release in 2013.  It appears that customizing Lightning’s clothing and selecting from a variety of weapons will be a big feature in what might be an action-heavy adventure.  Andriasang provided a liveblog translation of a presentation made at the Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Event in Shibuya where the new game was revealed.

It’s unclear what sort of combat will be involved in the new title, with mention of “button response” being important during the game’s development.  The game will be set in a world called Novus Partus that features some “retro” features like phone booths and has a monorail that runs between cities.  No other concrete features for the game were revealed except some sort of Facebook integration.

It can be assumed that Square Enix is continuing to use the FF XIII assets and tools it spent so many years creating for the original game in the development of this new title.  Hopefully these games will help the company figure out how to economically develop its cinematic RPGs as we get closer and closer to another generation of consoles.

Press Release


SQUARE ENIX REVEALS EPIC CONCLUSION TO LIGHTNING’S SAGA

LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII Coming to Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 system in 2013


LOS ANGELES (Aug. 31, 2012) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas, today unveiled the final chapter to Lightning’s saga at a fan-filled 25th anniversary event of the FINAL FANTASY® franchise. LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII, due out next year, incorporates a brand-new story, world, characters and an enhanced gameplay system.

The FINAL FANTASY XIII franchise has now shipped more than 9.6 million units worldwide. Production is underway, and the game will feature Lightning as a playable character and will allow players to experience an active and expansive environment like never before.

Related Links
Official Homepage: http://finalfantasyxiii.com/LR
Official Facebook® Page: http://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasyXIII
Official North American Members YouTube® Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/SQEXMembersNA
Follow LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII on Twitter®: @OfficialFFXIII

LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII is not yet rated. Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings.


 

Comments

Julian Titus Reviews Editor

09/01/2012 at 03:17 PM Reply | Permalink | Report

Sigh. 

Travis Hawks Senior Editor

09/01/2012 at 06:12 PM Reply | Permalink | Report

I have no opinion on the matter yet since XIII-2 sits unused on my shelf.  From the original game, though, Lightning was one of my top three favorite characters!

Julian Titus Reviews Editor

09/03/2012 at 11:41 AM Reply | Permalink | Report

I like FF XIII. I like Lightning. I even like FF XIII-2. But this is the Final Fantasy world that I'd probably least like to see turned into a splinter franchise. FF XIII is one of only two games in the series that I'd give only 3 stars to. But even if it had been one of my all-time favorites I'd be against a third game, because I want Final Fantasy XV.

Travis Hawks Senior Editor

09/03/2012 at 04:12 PM Reply | Permalink | Report

That's fair.  I do hope this gets the company out of their financial pickle and allows them to create FF XV in a more sensible and economical manner.

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Press Release

SQUARE ENIX REVEALS EPIC CONCLUSION TO LIGHTNING’S SAGA

LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII Coming to Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 system in 2013


LOS ANGELES (Aug. 31, 201...

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