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Watch as Lightning Returns to 16-bit days in this story recap video
If you're looking forward to Lightning Returns but haven't yet played Final Fantasy 13 or 13-2 - or even if you have - you're not going to find a funner way to recap the story so far than this SNES-y video by Square Enix. Yes, "SNES-y" isn't very clever, but Square Enix already had "retro-spective." It's impressive it fits 900 hours (or something like that) of JPRG narrative into an 8-minute video, albeit with some creative liberties - my favorite moment is around the 6:20 mark. But does it make the stories any more understandable? The jury's out on that, but the jury will soon be in on Lightning Returns. The third game of the FF13 trilogy hits on February 11 in North America, and February 14 in Europe.
Lightning Returns to an 'evolved' battle system in latest trailer
Square Enix offered a new trailer for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 today, showing flashes of the game's combat system. The sequel to the sequel of the 2010 RPG features skill-changing equipment customization options as well as tactics like evade, overwhelm and stagger, emphasizing strategic methods of ripping enemies apart. The trailer also includes a brief glimpse at Lightning's confrontation with Caius Ballad, a character first seen in the previous game. Lightning Returns will launch on February 11 in North America and February 14 in Europe for PS3 and Xbox 360. The game's demo and pre-order bonuses were revealed earlier this week, so players can check it out for themselves.
Lightning Returns demo out today, Amazon pre-orders get bonus Yuna DLC
You've seen all the trailers - so many trailers - but you can can finally check out Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 for yourself today. The JRPG's demo is available on Xbox Live, and it should hit PSN in North America later today, and Europe tomorrow. If you need extra incentive beyond sheer curiousness, if you use the game's social media themed Outerworld service in the demo to submit a battle score, you'll unlock an outfit for Lightning based on Final Fantasy 6's Siegfried - the outfit transfers over to the full game. Meanwhile, PS3 players who just try the demo unlock an Utsusemi Samurai outfit for the main game too. As if the returning heroine's wardrobe isn't already fit to burst, there's also news today of bonus Yuna garb with Amazon US pre-orders, along with the FF10 summoner's staff and victory pose. That's in addition to the Cloud-based pre-order bonuses, by the way. Somewhere beneath the ever-burgeoning pile of outfits is the game itself, which is due on PS3 and Xbox 360 in North America on February 11, and on February 14 in Europe.
Square Enix mistakenly breaks exclusive DLC contract in Japan
If Japanese fans of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 want to play through the game brandishing the flowers of Final Fantasy 7's Aerith, they'll need to purchase the V Jump strategy guide that Square Enix has exclusively bundled the DLC with. At least, that's the case now - the costume had appeared for sale days ago alongside non-exclusive costumes of FF7's Cloud and Final Fantasy 10's Yuna. The DLC was pulled on December 20, inspiring a tweeted apology to fans anticipating the costume and to Shueisha, the publisher of the strategy guide. The apology noted that the Cloud and Yuna outfits would return to the store that day, but did not mention continued availability for the Aerith costume outside of purchasing V Jump guide. As frustrating as keeping track of exclusive pieces of DLC can be for consumers, it's interesting to see confusion like this on the publisher's side of things.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 collector's edition announced
You'll have the option of grabbing either the standard edition or a more elaborate and expensive collector's edition of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 when the game launches on February 11, 2014 for Xbox 360 and PS3. The collector's edition will be available exclusively through the Square Enix Store for $90. It includes special packaging, a hardcover art book, a silver embossed pocket watch, Aerith Gainsborough "Midgar's Flower Girl" DLC costume and a copy of the game. Pre-ordering the collector's edition will also guarantee a Cloud Strife outfit and his iconic Buster sword for use in-game. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 is the third and final game in the Final Fantasy 13 series. It takes place 500 years after the ending of Final Fantasy 13-2, with protagonist Lightning awakening from a self-imposed hibernation 13 days before the world is about to end.
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.
Final Fantasy worlds collide as FFXIII's Lightning joins FFXIV
A good share -- if not most -- of the folks playing Final Fantasy XIV are there because of previous ties to the FF franchise. And that fact is not lost on Square Enix. In fact, the studio just released a new video today showing the heroine of another Final Fantasy game joining the realm of Eorzea. While the title character of Lightning Returns: FFXIII, Lightning also appears and fights alongside players during one of A Realm Reborn's Full Active Time Events (FATE), the successful completion of which will net the player gear and weaponry modeled after those found in FFXIII. On the flip side of this cross-promotion, Lightning Returns players can acquire new Miqo'te costumes as well as weapons and shields themed from the city-states of FFXIV: ARR. Clues for getting the costumes are hidden within the world of Nova Chrysalia and the weapons and shields are obtained by clearing side quests. Check out the new outfit, weapons, and shields for FFXIII in the gallery below and watch Lightning join the FFXIV FATE in the trailer after the cut. [Source: Square Enix press release]
Watch Lightning Returns' opening cinematic, in which somebody returns
When it comes to opening cinematics, the Final Fantasy series can boast some beauties. How about Cloud's dramatic, freshly polygonated entrance to FF7, or Zanarkand being torn asunder in FF10? Not forgetting the Charlie's Angels-style intro to FF10-2, which we all secretly love... right? Right? So, rather than spoil this intro to Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 - we're not sure we could spoil it beyond the obvious - we'll sit back and reflect on a series built on some serious FMV loveliness. By the by, Lightning Returns hits Xbox 360 and PS3 on February 11 in North America, and February 14 in Europe.
Lightning Returns, Final Fantasy X/X-2 showcased in new TGS trailers
Square Enix shows off its upcoming action-RPG Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII and the remake bundle Final Fantasy X/X-2 Remaster in a pair of new trailers launched today at Tokyo Game Show. Lightning Returns is the concluding chapter in the Final Fantasy XIII saga, tracking protagonist Lightning as she quests to save the world after a 500-year slumber. Lightning Returns is due for release in February next year. Final Fantasy X/X-2 Remaster will be out "this winter" for the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita, offering a new audio chapter expanding on the events of Final Fantasy X-2. The new trailer can be seen after the break below.
Square Enix's TGS 2013 line-up includes Lightning Returns, Thief
Square Enix has posted the selection of wares and sundries it'll showcase during this month's Tokyo Game Show festivities, and while the list is primarily what you'd expect, there are a couple of interesting omissions. High-profile highlights include Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy, Drag-On Dragoon 3/Drakengard 3, Thief and Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn. The publisher will also be showing off a small handful of Square Enix Partners titles, such as Wolfenstein: The New Order and Psycho Break, the Japanese title for Shinji Mikami's The Evil Within. Missing from the list, however, are Final Fantasy 15 and Kingdom Hearts 3, neither of which have been heard from since back at E3. But hey, Gardening Mama is totally on there, and that's all that matters.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 trailer is a blasted fluffball
The latest trailer for Final Fantasy 13's third chapter is short, but it teases a fair bit of story as well as some brief glimpses of gameplay. Also, check after the break for an 'extended' look at the Final Fantasy 7 pre-order bonuses available for the PS3 and Xbox 360 game. Lightning Returns storms into North America on February 11 and Europe on February 14.
Vanille also returns in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
A few new details about Lighting Returns: Final Fantasy XIII were recently revealed at a Japanese press event, reports Gematsu. The game's fourth continent, the Wildlands, was uncovered. This will be a large, open-world area – large enough for players to ride around on the series' beloved Chocobo, apparently. Also revealed is the return of Final Fantasy XIII's ginger-haired ball of sunshine, Vanille. In Lightning Returns, Vanille is under the care of a religious group called the "Salvation Council" in the game's main city, Luxerion. Vanille joins other Final Fantasy XIII vets Snow, Hope and Fang.
Get counter-productive with this Lightning Returns trailer
This "13 Days" trailer for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 shows Lightning in action with varying outfits. The game's battle system includes a means to counter physical attacks, which uses up a portion of the ATB gauge, and battles where Lightning destroys sections of enemies for item rewards.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 trailer shows its Fang
Much like 13-2, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 looks like it revisits most of the first game's heroic ensemble. In addition to Snow and Hope, the Aussie-accented Fang is now in the mix too. As for how they all come together in a way that makes sense, your guess is as good as ours.
Lightning Returns to Final Fantasy 7 with Cloud-based pre-order bonuses
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 sees its leading lady, often considered the female Cloud, finally embrace the look of FF7's spiky-haired hero, thanks to newly-unveiled pre-order bonuses. We'd say this is the closest we'll get to a realization of that Final Fantasy 7 HD tech demo, but Square Enix does love a good remake, so never ever say never. Put your name down for the game early, and you'll be able to dress Lightning up in Cloud's uniform, give her his Buster Sword and Soldier's Band item, and even watch her celebrate with his victory animation - to the backdrop of the FF7 victory fanfare, of course. If you hark from Europe, you'll also get an assorted trio of Samurai costumes for your up-front cash. The pre-order bonuses are currently listed on Amazon, although it's unclear if they're limited to that particular retailer. As for the game itself, it'll definitely be available at a whole bunch of retailers when it busts onto PS3 and Xbox 360 on February 11, 2014.
Lightning Returns has elements with 'severity of Dark Souls,' says producer
Just as Final Fantasy 13-2 was to Final Fantasy 13, Lightning Returns is a different beast from the previous two FF13 games - with the emphasis maybe on beast. Speaking with Famitsu (as translated by Kotaku), game producer Yoshinori Kitase said, "If I were to describe the gameplay, I'd say that there are some elements with the severity of [something like] Dark Souls." Kitase and director Motomu Toriyama told Famitsu Lightning Returns places emphasis on time and inventory management. Players only have a certain number of item slots, and start with only seven in-game days to complete the game, although this can be increased to thirteen via successfully completed missions. So, bits as tough as Dark Souls, with a touch of Majora's Mask and Resident Evil, then - and maybe some Final Fantasy too. "Thinking economically is very important in this game!" noted Toriyama, perhaps while slowly tapping his fingers together and cackling maniacally. Lightning Returns is due in North America on February 11, 2014, which is still a while away. In the meantime, you can check out our E3 hands-on where we took in how the game shifts up the combat's paradigms and Stagger systems for its returning party of one.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 hosts a party of one
No development process has been as interesting to watch than the multi-game pile-up known as Final Fantasy 13. It's not that these RPGs have been of poor quality, per se; they just represent the totality of Square Enix's resource mismanagement during the first HD generation of consoles. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that Lightning Returns wasn't the only Final Fantasy 13-related product on the show floor during E3 2013, as Square unveiled the long-awaited Versus 13 under an entirely new (though slightly predictable) name: Final Fantasy 15. This rebranding – combined with the Final Fantasy 13 name getting second billing to its lead character – provides some compelling evidence that the developer might be a little ashamed of that "lucky" number these days.%Gallery-190529%
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII hits NA Feb 11 2014, EU Feb 14 [update: Ultimate Box]
A new E3 trailer reveals Square Enix is pushing back Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII to February 11, 2014 in North America, and three days later on February 14 in Europe. Square Enix was planning a fall 2013 arrival for the third entry in the Final Fantasy XIII line. Perhaps today's news is paving the way for a next-gen launch. For now, Lightning's return remains confirmed only for Xbox 360 and PS3. As for the trailer itself, it reveals another return. That is Snow Villers, who's sporting a very different look, but very much still looking for Lightning's sister Serah. FYI, the new city on show is called Yusnaan - any locale with a giant cactuar effigy is alright in our book. Update: Square Enix (via Nova Crystallis) also unveiled the LR:FFXIII Ultimate Box, which it's bringing to Japan alongside the game on November 21, 2013. The special edition package (have a peek below the break) includes all three of the FFXIII games, selections from each game's soundtrack, a Play Arts Lightning figurine based on her new look in Returns, and an art book. The whole caboodle is priced at ¥26,000 - around $262. %Gallery-190529%
Lightning Returns to the Dead Dunes ... again
We still feel like there are a lot of questions around Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. Questions that are not answered by more screens of the one environment Square Enix revealed last week.%Gallery-183448%
Lightning Returns to the Dead Dunes
Here's a quick entry in Lightning's time travelogue. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII sees our heroine exploring "The Dead Dunes," a gathering place for treasure hunters and home to legendary treasure. Hey, look, she already found some!%Gallery-183129%
