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Joystiq Weekly: Titanfall, The Last of Us DLC and Mario Kart 8 rivals
Welcome to Joystiq Weekly, a "too long; didn't read" of each week's biggest stories, reviews and original content. Each category's top story is introduced with a reactionary gif, because moving pictures aren't just for The Daily Prophet. Did you see that the Koopalings are going to be new characters targets in Mario Kart 8? The Koopalings, the brats responsible for loads of deaths dealt to Mario and Luigi with lava, twirling hoops and rings of death from magic wands? Yup, we've got new rivals. You're annoying, Baby Mario, but you haven't stopped us from moving on to the next world of a Mario game before. Watch your back, Koopalings. There's something about family-friendly, inclusive Nintendo games that bring our most competitive spirit. Have you ever calmly congratulated a friend after their star thievery earned them the title of Party Champion in Mario Party 2? Have you nodded in admiration of your opponent's strategy in Mario Kart Wii, right after they steal your victory with a red shell a few feet away from the finish line? We have a feeling your dialogue might have been more ... "spirited" than civil. We're not judging though - heck, we just threatened a bunch of baby turtles one graf above this! Of course, a lot more happened this week beyond the Koopalings opening themselves up for a world of hurt. This week brought NPD data for January, a review of The Last of Us' "Left Behind" DLC and video previews for Titanfall and Evolve! There's lots more beyond that after the break though, so jump the break and dive into the biggest stories of the week!
Final Fantasy 13's Lightning may return again
Lightning Returns director Motomu Toriyama recently told Siliconera that while the pink-haired heroine's saga has come to a close with the third installment of the Final Fantasy XIII games, Lightning herself may show up as a "guest character" in future Final Fantasy games. "For Lightning, her story ends here in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, as this game is meant as a finale to this series. But we know that Lightning is an extremely popular character, even when compared to other Final Fantasy characters," Toriyama said. "So there is a possibility that Lightning would appear in other future Final Fantasy titles, not as a protagonist, but as a guest character." Lightning wouldn't be alone if this were to happen - heroes from past Final Fantasy titles have appeared in games like Final Fantasy Tactics, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, Dissidia Final Fantasy and the Kingdom Hearts series. At least keeping her role limited to "guest character" will (hopefully) save us all from "Lightning Returns 2: Electric Boogaloo." [Image: Square-Enix]
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.
The Mog Log: Lightning fizzles in FFXIV
There's something a bit odd about playing what amounts to a promotional event for a game you won't be seeing for several months. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII promises to conclude the two-part trilogy that its predecessor created, but it's not coming out in the US until February of next year, leading to a minor disconnect. Still, it matters only in the broadest sense; after all, most of the references packed in hearken back to the first game in the set, and I didn't need a pre-order to know that I wanted a gunblade. So I've been following along with Final Fantasy XIV's event and dutifully progressing along the quest chain for the week. But I wasn't terribly impressed all around. I think there were some very nice touches coupled with some really baffling decisions here and there, and the overall effect was rather lackluster. It isn't really the fault of the event so much as a problem with popularity.
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.
Here's the 'real' Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII debut trailer
Remember that trailer for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII that leaked out a few days ago? Forget that happened, since Square Enix slightly altered and re-launched it. Disregard all the parts of it that are identical, or all the footage that you swear you've seen before.One of the only differences that stands out in the remixed trailer is the music, really. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is heading to Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2013.
