Tag Archives: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

Features, Platforms, PlayStation 3, Previews, Video, Xbox 360

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII | Combat Playthrough

Leave a comment
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII | Combat Playthrough

Only a few short weeks to go now before the concluding part of the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy and we’re celebrating with a video playthrough to show you the new combat system. The apparently not backwardly-named Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, has ditched the stale combat of the last two games by assigning various attacks and spells to the face buttons of your controller.

Customisation is back in style too as you can enter battle with three different Schema, each with their own set of skills to give you extra combat options. With around 70 Schema to choose from in the final game -each of them customisable too- the depth on offer is looking absolutely huge. For the most part, Lightning will be on her own, but the Schema changes give the game a quasi team-based feel and the slicker combat feels like Square Enix could be onto a winner. Plus, Lightning is easily the best member of the XIII cast. Continue reading Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII | Combat Playthrough →

Platforms, PlayStation 3, Reviews, RPG, Xbox 360

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (Review)

13 Comments

lightning returns“The brightest lights cast the darkest shadows”

Who among us dared to imagine that after playing the miserable corridor that was the first Final Fantasy XIII, we’d be lining up for a third game in the series a few years later. The sequel, XIII-2, eased up on the linearity, but was still a mess on the battlefield. It’s baffling to think that of all the great Final Fantasy games in years gone by, the almost universally slated XIII series is now a trilogy.

But throughout my time spent playing the previous two games, there remained a streak of perseverance. The ongoing story of sacrifice, family and loss always deserved a better game to be a part of. The cast have always been one of my favourites in a JRPG too, despite being a bit on the broody side a times.

Continue reading Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (Review) →

News

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Guided Tour Trailer

Leave a comment

Square-Enix really want you to give Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII a chance. The new trailer for game number three in the XIII series is keen to show you the large numbers of quests available, the expansive maps and the reformatted combat. Oh and chocobos and moogles naturally.

Having had a hands-on with the game, I can say I enjoyed the new combat, which ditches the ‘press X to win’ mentality by assigning individual attacks/spells to the face buttons with more to choose from by changing your schemata (like the dress-sphere’s in FFX-2). And with 80 schemata to choose from -and all of them being customisable- it would seem like we’re finally getting some tactical depth in the series for the first time in years. Old stalwarts may still dismiss the lack of a traditional turn-based approach, but this is an improvement over the last two games, and is slightly turn-based in the sense that you can only dish out a few attacks at once before waiting for a meter to recharge.  Continue reading Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Guided Tour Trailer →

Hands-on previews, Platforms, PlayStation 3, Previews, Xbox 360

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (Hands-On Preview)

Leave a comment

Despite the recent Tokyo Game Show giving players a chance to explore an open world portion of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, visitors to the Eurogamer Expo were stuck indoors in a strictly linear series of combat tutorials. With the combat system being my biggest grievance with the FFXIII series though, this is exactly what I wanted.

So after a cutscene that made little sense without the relevant context, I’m thrown straight into a tutorial. Given that Lightning Returns is making bold steps to move away from the ‘bash X to win’ mentality that has plagued 90% of the battles in the last two games I was certainly keen to get stuck into the lesson.

Lightning fights alone in this game, so forget the notion of parties. Stop! Come back, long-suffering Final Fantasy fan. To give combat the depth of a team you have various Schemata outfits to choose from. If you think of the interchangeable dress-spheres from the divisive FFX-2 on the PS2, you’ll find the concept easy to follow.

Continue reading Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (Hands-On Preview) →

News

Huge Wardrobe Collection in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

Leave a comment

Lightning may be flying solo on the battlefield in the upcoming finale to the FFXIII series, but she’s packing over forty outfits. She’s not just indecisive, the clothes will give her unique skills and benefits, essentially turning her into a one-girl party. We’re just glad she’s ditched Hope, the little whiner.

Fans of -or people who played FFX-2 at least- may remember the team using the Dress Sphere system, we expect this to work in a similar manner. Regular players of the series will no doubt be able to spot a few getups that she’s borrowed from characters of older games in the long-running franchise. Cloud’s outfit has already been announced as a pre-order incentive. We’ll endeavor to bring you a hands-on report of the game towards the end of the month.For now, enjoy the fashionista trailer after the break. Continue reading Huge Wardrobe Collection in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII →

News

Dev Diary – Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

Leave a comment

It’s going to take some hands-on time to convince us that Square Enix is doing the right thing by steering the Final Fantasy series in a more action-orientated direction. But after the disappointments of the last two FFXIII titles, we’re willing to listen.

This new dev diary goes behind the scenes at Square Enix, giving us some more details about the game’s story, locations and more. The staff are also keen to emphasise that new players will be able to pick up the story too. Even so, we’d advise checking a few wikis first. Who knows which of the last game’s multiple endings they’re resuming from.

Unlike the last two games, players will only be controlling Lightning this time around, but there will be lots of familiar faces popping up throughout the story. Third time’s a charm though right? Lightning strikes one last time February 14th. Continue reading Dev Diary – Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII →

News

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII – The Savior’s Choice Trailer

Leave a comment

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. Well, it’s a royal mess of a name and will mess up your alphabetised collection something rotten, but there’s still something about Square Enix’s upcoming RPG that pulls us in. We prefer to think of it as hope rather than blind belief they’ll get it right this time.

A more-action orientated approach will annoy purists, but games like the excellent Tales of Xillia prove that you can have it both ways. Plus, you’ll visit the last known home of the Moogles, although we don’t think you’ll be allowed to massacre the cheeky little sods. Pre-order the game and you’ll get a Cloud outfit from FFVII, it’s like Square Enix are actively taunting fans that have been howling for that remake. It’s double date time this Valentine’s day as Lightning arrives for her last hurrah February 14th. Continue reading Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII – The Savior’s Choice Trailer →

News

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Revealed

Leave a comment

Disappointed about Lightning’s backseat role in FFXIII-2? Us too, but fear not, as Square-Enix has just announced a new title for the PS3 and 360, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII.

Set to be the final entry in the FFXIII series, the game will take place over four large open-world islands on the world of Novus Partus. The Paradigm battle system remains but we will be able to move Lightning around the battlefield and swap weapons. That sounds like quite a big departure from the norm, but the combat in the last two games certainly needed a little more player input.

Continue reading Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Revealed →