Ever since the first game in the trilogy was released a couple of years back, Final Fantasy XIII has received a mixed reception from fans. Some folks enjoyed the original; others thought it was a bit of a departure from previous Final Fantasy games. But the second chapter, Final Fantasy XIII-2, divided them even further, foregoing control of traditional characters in favor of two new entries for the series. Many were left wondering…just what did happen to the heroine Lightning?
We’re about to find out, as Square announced a while back that it would be bringing back the Final Fantasy hero for her own character-driven adventure, the final one in the current XIII story arc. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is in the works, and slated to shake up the RPG world come sometime this year.
The story for Lightning Returns takes place approximately 500 years into the future, a timeframe distanced from XIII-2. A new story is being included, one in which Lightning finds herself given 13 days in which to save the world, while a Doomsday Clock ticks down. Who the threat is – and more particularly, what tie-ins they have with Lightning – are yet to be discovered, but with Square Enix at the helm, the storytelling should be somewhat interesting.
The Doomsday Clock is always running, but there are actions that can twist it back a little bit, giving Lightning the time she needs to make things right. The clock can turn back either by defeating enemies or performing specific actions over the course of the game, like helping people with certain actions. A day in the world runs about 24 hours (which is approximately one to two hours in real time), so she’ll need to consolidate and manage properly, or else – boom – the world ends.
What makes Lightning Returns interesting is how her adventure shifts over the course of the game. Helping one person could easily open a pathway that wasn’t available before, changing the course almost entirely. This leads to an eventual 100-hour experience, one that’s just a bit longer than Final Fantasy XIII-2’s timeframe. So, those seeking a slightly deeper experience will get it – and with a familiar character, no less.
Lightning is the main central character for Returns, so you won’t have to worry about controlling a lame secondary character this time around. She’ll be utilizing a battle system that’s quite similar to the Command Synergy System. That means you can control her movement and attacks in real time, while also enabling a block feature, should some enemies be a bit overwhelming for her own good. Commands will be issued to each of the face buttons on the controller, each linking in to Lightning’s special abilities. One big change this time around, however, is the dismissal of the Paradigm Shift system, in favor of styles. These allow you to put together your own combination of weapon, shield, accessories and abilities to make Lightning’s techniques feel like something you can relate to – a neat feature that could very well boost the game’s replayability outside of its initial play time. Even the slightest tweaks could make a difference in how Lightning literally strikes.
Throughout the game, you’ll find unique new battle styles to implement with Lightning, as well as costumes and weapons to put together. Though Square Enix hasn’t broken down what specific styles she’ll run into, they promised a diverse field to choose from, ones that will come in handy over the later parts of the game, where she’ll face her biggest challenges.
For Lightning Returns, Square Enix is building an intricate new world in Novus Partus (Latin for “new offspring”), traveling across four continents all enclosed by a Sea of Chaos. She’ll have access to a monorail system, so she won’t need to worry about getting around on foot. So far, this world is looking even more fantastic than previous ones introduced in either XIII or its predecessor, thanks to in-depth work by the development team. The animation is also looking rather impressive, with Lightning being capable of pulling off some awe-inspiring attacks once she’s properly suited up, depending what you – the player – has in mind.
Veteran Final Fantasy players will be in for quite a challenge with Lightning Returns, as Square Enix is reportedly working to make this the most intricate of the current trilogy. However, with the keen ability to modify your battle style, as well as what techniques you can use, there’s bound to be an approach you can use that you’ll find to your liking. Plus, the fact that Lightning is so familiar with the avid Final Fantasy fan base doesn’t hurt – even if the game has changed so much from the classic 8-bit and 16-bit days.
This is just a brief glimpse into the world of the latest Final Fantasy venture, and we’re bound to get a better one in the months ahead as the game continues along on its development cycle. Be sure to check back for more details, as well as hands-on impressions. Lightning’s go-around could be her most memorable yet.
Look for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII sometime in 2013 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
