Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII: more details

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII: Interview with Motomu Toriyama, Yoshinori Kitase and Yuji Abe

The latest issue of Japanese magazine Famitsu published an interview with the director Motomu Toriyama (Motomu Toriyama), producer Yoshinori Kitase (Yoshinori Kitase), and design director Yuji Abe(Yuji Abe). The team discussed the new and future changes in the last chapter of travel Lightning (Lightning).

After the official announcement in September and run a teaser site, Kitase noted that most people who write comments were actually from abroad. But what the fans ask?

For example, there were questions such as: "I want as soon as possible to see the trailer," or "What happened to the characters from the past?".The trailer then we have already shown, but on the question of the other characters we have not answered. However, Kitase said that this time the protagonists of the two previous installments will be allocated on a few episodes that meet the expectations of fans.

Editorial Famitsu noted that one of the characters that come back in the new part is Chokolina (Chocolina), which can be seen in the trailer and screenshots.It will once again be the player to help, but now it will not act as a shopkeeper - she will be a little different role.

Concept LRFFXIII It was created in order to expand the current saga FFXIIIWhich includes itself FFXIII. XIII-2 and downloadable content, as well as various short stories. All of this was planned as soon as the team began to work on FFXIII-2. With each new game Lightning became fresher and newer. Kitase said that, so they focused on a single Lightning, but rather on "its revival." It is for this reason that they decided to call the game LRFFXIIIInstead of FFXIII-3.

As we know, in LRFFXIII Lightning will have a new costume.Art director Isamu Kamikokuroi (Isamu Kamikokuryou) developed armor for Lightning in XIII-2, but for her last journey, character designer Tetsuya Nomura (Tetsuya Nomura) was setthe task of creating something else. Toriyama wanted to emphasize the red and white make up her dress in FFXIII, during which he was born a new image. The final result is about half white and half red.

By itself, the clothing looks pretty impressive on the battlefield. Toriyama said that the suit creates a different impression, regardless of whether the character in motion or standing still ("It's great when flying cape!").

Clothes as there is a certain story. This time, Lightning was saddled with the role of "liberator." And her clothes were given to her by God ... but who was it God?

Toriyama reminds us that the end of the world in LRFFXIII arrive within 13 days, but do not forget that at the same time, a new world will be reborn in his place.Bhunivelze (god of the crystal), is the one who gives to the liberators of the soul to this new world. In XIII-2 Lightning was a knight of the goddess Etro (Etro), but now it embodies the will of Bhunivelze.Mythology Fabula Nova Crystallis includes many gods are associated with the "Lightning Saga", Bhunivelze be the last.

Partus Novus - is one of the worlds, which did not manage to spread chaos. There are four continents, each with its own look and atmosphere.On one of the continent is the city of light, Luxerion - a place where people quietly waiting for the end of the world. However, around the city begin to occur serial murder, for which a certain organization is responsible, that goes against the beliefs Bhunivelze.

Toriyama said that each continent will have its own theme. Subject Luxerion is "murder" because the team wanted this continent has attracted an adult audience.

Since the end of XIII-2, 500 years have passed, but it seems that people are not even aware of this fact. Furthermore, in this world it is interrupted life cycle: NO births and deaths of age. Being in such a situation, people have come to the conclusion that the end of the world is near, however, they do not even know about the 13-day period.

Luxerion is one of the cities, access to which you get at the very beginning of the game, and will be the first of the four continents, which you can explore. Based on Toriyama's words, it is possible to understand that the map layout is nearing completion.

When asked about the three other continents, Toriyama immediately changed the subject. Then he talked about the concept artah Novus Partus and reminds us that every continent will be revealed by the announcements.

Research plays an important role in LRFFXIII. Lightning can travel around the world, for each continent is linked by monorail.You will be able to move freely, even if you do not clean location. As with any other Final Fantasy, Chocobo (Chocobos) will also be available for riding at some points.

Yuji Abe touched upon some aspects of gameplay including action and combat elements. Action elements allow Lightning freely explore the location and at the same time to find a variety of things, such as a treasure chest.

Player movement will be limited in time (the game ends after 13 days), so it is likely you will not even have time to explore all.

"The exhibition dedicated to the celebration of the Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary, we have demonstrated an alpha version of the game which dramatically reduces the time, which led to a kind of irritation" - said Toriyama."Since then, we have added the mechanics, which will increase the remaining time in the world through quests and battles. Actively contribute to fulfillment of the increase in time."

Speaking of battles, if you've seen the latest trailer, you might notice that the user interface is much different from the previous games. Abe did not elaborate, but said that the first thing he wants to focus on the different settings.

I must say that is not LRFFXIII action-RPG, although action elements become more significant. Combat abilities can be entered directly in conjunction with action elements.ATB system of FFXIII and XIII-2 took a step forward (evolved).Toriyama says that the team has not yet decided on the name of the combat system in LRFFXIII, so give her a temporary name as "amazing ATB".The players themselves will assign different commands certain keys in combination with the effect of elements such as protection and direct control over the movements Lightning in real time.

When asked about Abe function Quick-times (QTEs), which was introduced for intensive use in XIII-2, he said that in LRFFXIII will not like it. However, there will be something similar to the "Scene Drive".

In previous games, the Lightning used ganbleyda (Gunblade) for ranged. Abe said that this time it will have access to only melee weapons, and magic that will serve as a long-range attacks.

According to Kitase said, the idea of ​​"wonder ATB" will give players a sense of realism and strategy.In the previous parts were three people from each party, although two of the NPC under the control of the basic AI. We have yet to see much of the combat system, so we have to patiently wait for further information.

Abe says that the appearance of the enemy in the most unexpected places, will cause the player a sense of tension.The types of enemies will vary depending on time of day, and stronger monsters will appear only at night.In addition, the game will be special events, such as "an eruption of chaos" will mean the arrival of even more powerful monsters, even in places that may have been safe.

Abe described the two of them as the enemies of the night "Furball bat" and "Gappuru" (Chun translated into English). Another new monster known by the name Anubys. Toriyama explained that at this time, about half will be new enemies, although he did not say the exact number.

Abe says that the range will not affect the outcome of the battle. For example, if you select "attack" the Lightning will move automatically.The combat system in LRFFXIII will require the player the ability to deal with the skills switching commands depending on the situation. Abe says he will need to apply the right strategy against the enemy in order to defeat him.

In the new game from the Lightning will be a lot of different costumes, a large assortment of weapons and other items. To buy all the things you have to visit every store in the world Novus Partus.Weapons, shields, accessories and abilities will be formed in "styles" that can be turned off during the fight. And the appearance and effectiveness of these styles will be a large selection of settings.

Given that the main plot of the game revolves around the concept of a time, time itself is always moving forward, except when you have called the menu. You can even purchase decorations such as sunglasses, which can be seen in the trailer.

Bleeding Lightning mostly associated with the passage of quests that you'll get from different people throughout the game.Unlike the previous two games, the bleeding will not depend on the outcome of the battle. During the battle you will receive rewards in the form of objects that you can use to improve your character. If you want to delay the coming end of the world, then you have to score as many points.

Abe dodged the question of possible inclusion in the game of mini-games, while Toriyama said that now they are mainly focused on the gameplay.The game will vary greatly depending on the player's actions. In the current version of the game testers took 3-4 days to complete each continent. At the moment, the game is ready for 25-30%.

Toriyama promises that LRFFXIII not "sawed" on additional content, unlike FFXIII-2, which is based on the scene in the form of DLC endings.He says that this time they showed a new costume Lightning, and soon they would like to show more outfits. Kitase said that LRFFXIII is the latest game in the series that will bring players a new experience.

The game will be released on PS3 and Xbox 360 next year