Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII-3 (finally!!) Announced

[Mr Silver]

From Examiner

I don't care what anybody says about the XIII saga, the games had their hits and misses but the story is pretty damn spectacular and I'm glad that Square Enix is going ahead with a proper conclusion.

So how is this going to work? Well, Lightning is obviously going to be the main player character. Early reports are suggesting a more western style (similar to the ADB from FFXII perhaps?) style battle system in which Lightning can move around in combat, whilst still incorporating the traditional JRPG battle elements.

One of the most intriguing things is the 13 day in-game limit, in that Lightning only has 13 days to save the world and there will be elements of real time such as progressive day and night conditions. It's not really much of a worry if the limit is game time, in that if you succeed 13 days of total gameplay, then it's game over - file closed - forced restart, because 13 days is more than enough time to do everything in even the most expansive of JRPG's. Then again, the possibility of in-game days being scaled to real-time hours is a more challenging prospect.

Thoughts?

 

[firehawk12]

I'm an unabashed fan of the character and the franchise, but I feel like dumping the gameplay entirely to make a pseudo-action game might be a too big of a change.

That said, I'm still going to buy it anyway, so they've got me there.

 

[clint g]

10 bucks says this comes out before Versus 13




This bit has me worried

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII” is unlike any “Final Fantasy” title before it. With an emphasis on time, or in this case lack thereof, “Lightning Returns” is reminiscent of “The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask” as time is of the essence.

Lightning is tasked to save a doomed world from destruction but is limited to 13-days to do so. While that may sound like a significant amount of time, consider this: all actions you perform in the game use up precious minutes or hours from the 13-day limit. Also, key locations, missions, and people are only available during certain times.

The only franchise to pull this off well is the Persona franchise. I'll be blunt, I don't have enough faith in Square to pull it off.

 

[firehawk12]

Well, they even said they're ripping off Majora's Mask.

I just feel sad that the 13 combat system is completely dead. Doesn't Versus also have a real time combat engine? This is basically stealing its thunder.

 

[BigFoot]

I liked both FFXIII and FFXIII-2 and I adore Lightning, so I'm definitely looking forward to this.

 

[Angel4576]

Lightning is the only playable character. Not sure I like the sound of that. Wasn't much for XIII-2's 2+Creature party combat dynamic, but one character?

I'll get it either way, but I ain't holding out much hope.