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Lightning Returns to west with Japanese dub and lip sync DLC


Square Enix continues the growing trend of bringing Japanese vocals to the west as downloadable content, this time with Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13. Rather than just throwing the voice-work over the English animations, the DLC also includes lip-syncing adjustments to make everything fit together.

If you don't need the subtitles, you can import the (region-free PS3) game and get the same experience, since Lightning Returns is out in Japan today, well ahead of its February 11, 2014 launch in North America (and February 14 in Europe). The DLC will be available for free across the RPG's first two weeks at retail, after which it becomes a priced add-on.

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JAPANESE VOICE-OVERS ANNOUNCED FOR LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII
Japanese Voice-Overs Available for the First Time in the Franchise
LOS ANGELES (Nov. 21, 2013) – SQUARE ENIX, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas, announced today that LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII will feature the original Japanese Voice-Overs available as free downloadable content (DLC) during the first two weeks of the game being on-sale. After this limited period, the Japanese Voice-Over Pack will be available as paid DLC.

The Japanese Voice-Over Pack also includes lip-synching that differs from the English-language voice track already included with the game, to ensure a more natural and localized game experience.

Related Links
Official Homepage: www.LightningReturns.com
Official Facebook® Page: http://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasyXIII
Official North American Members YouTube® Page: https://www.youtube.com/user/SQEXMembersNA
Official Twitter®: @OfficialFFXIII

LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII will be available for the Xbox 360® and PlayStation®3 systems and for digital download on the PlayStation®Network for $59.99 on February 11, 2014. LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII is rated T (Teen). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings.

About the FINAL FANTASY XIII Project
The FINAL FANTASY XIII project began in March 2010 with the release of FINAL FANTASY XIII and continued with its sequel, FINAL FANTASY XIII-2, released in January 2012. The series has been widely successful, shipping over 10 million units worldwide.

About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix Group. The Square Enix Group operates a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including: FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 100 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 62 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at http://www.na.square-enix.com/.