This week, Famitsu sat down with Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII staff for another detailed interview about the upcoming finale to “Lightning’s Saga”. Present were producer Yoshinori Kitase, director Motomu Toriyama, and gameplay director Yuji Abe. When asked what impressions fans had from the official site launch after the reveal in September, Kitase replied that they used sites like Facebook to get direct feedback including comments like: “Show us the trailer already”!
When asked about why they chose “Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII” instead of “Final Fantasy XIII-3″ for the title, Kitase enthused that this title has such an intimate focus on Lightning (a “resurrection” of Lightning) and is much different than its predecessors that they felt the title was appropriate.
In Final Fantasy XIII, Lightning was designed by Tetsuya Nomura — and for the sequel Isamu Kamikouryou designed the armor Lightning was gifted by Etro. Nomura returns to design her newest outfit to director Toriyama’s specifications, which included an emphasis on the colors red and white. Using that as a reference, as well as the themes of the game, Nomura designed the default outfit we see today.
Lightning’s goal is to free the souls of humanity as the final thirteen days before the end of the world expire and lead them to a new world. Similar to how Etro gifted Lightning with her power in Final Fantasy XIII-2, it appears Bhunivelze has awoken to give Lightning her task. Bhunivelze, some may remember, is a god who destroyed his mother Mwynn to gain control of the world. He created the fal’Cie Pulse, Lindzei, and Etro before retreating to his crystal hibernation until the end of time — where we presently find Lightning.
Each of the four continents that comprise Novus Partus will exude distinctly different feelings. We previously detailed that the city of Luxerion has been rattled by murders, carried out by a group opposed to the will of god (Bhunivelze). The citizens of Luxerion are aware that the world is coming to an end, but they are unsure when; despite this, they carry out a quiet existence amidst a world increasingly distorted by the power of Chaos. Luxerion itself has an air of mystery, and by Toriyama’s implications “maturity”, because of these events. In the five hundred years since the end of Final Fantasy XIII-2, people have ceased to age though they are not immortal despite their lifespans. This may be due Chaos that dwells within every human heart as per the Fabula Nova Crystallis lore. Unfortunately, new life unable to be born, crippling the so-called “circle of life”.
Director Toriyama was asked about the other three continents you’ll be traveling to, but he couldn’t speak about them quite yet as the maps are being finalized and will appear in future announcements. He added the Square Enix motto: “please look forward to it.” The monorail connects all four of them, but in addition to that, you’ll be able to make use of a chocobo to get around. Lightning, according to gameplay director Abe, will be able to make use of jumping, climbing, and sliding down poles (for example) to get around in Luxerion. Since the world has a time limit, exploring every detail of the world may not be feasible, and through this mechanic there will be a fair amount of trial-and-error. It should be noted that Lightning Returns was designed for multiple playthroughs from the beginning.
Abe is still refining the battle interface and what we previously detailed as “Cool ATB”, the battle system in Lightning Returns. A heavy element of action has been incorporated, as evident by Lightning’s actions being mapped to face buttons to be executed with proper timing rather than queued. Mastering defensive abilities like guarding and evasion will properly prepare you to take on tougher foes that may have previously been outside your comfort zone. Observing enemy behavior will also be useful. The break system will return, albeit in a different form — you’ll have different requirements to break an opponent than before. Abe confirmed that there will not be any QTE events in battle, but when asked if there will be any elements like Lightning’s “Scene Drive (Army of One)”, Abe said there will be something presumably like that.
Different enemies appear at different times of day, and tougher foes will appear at night or with an outbreak of Chaos. New enemies will appear in the series as well, such as Anubys, and creatures described as “bat hairballs” called Gappuru/Niblet(s).
Famitsu asked if Lightning will make use of a weapon like a gunblade for short and long-range fightning, to which Abe replied that she will have access to a variety of weapons, all of which will be for short-range combat. Magic, he added, will play a role for fighting at a range. According to Kitase, “Cool ATB” gives a player a sense of action and strategy in one, and despite only controlling Lightning, feels as though you are controlling more than one type of character through the different “Styles” Lightning can use during battle. Short or long range, Lightning will move automatically when the command is selected to execute the ability. We’ll have to wait for more information on more of “Cool ATB”‘s mechanics.
In some early screenshots from Famitsu, we were able to determine that Chocolina was returning — before she was seen in the trailer in several locations. Director Toriyama confirms she’ll have a role to play in the game, but it isn’t selling you items like in Final Fantasy XIII-2. Chocolina has a different yet-to-be-revealed purpose in this outing. Shops will be tied to NPCs with schedules during night and day, so you’ll need to be aware of the time in his aspect too. The flow of time will stop when you open the main menu.
Lightning will be able to collect and customize her equipment through completing quests and synthesizing them from components found in the world, shops, or battle. Abe couldn’t reveal much about this system yet, but more will come at a later date. You’ll even be able to create equipment like Lightning’s sunglasses seen at the end of the first trailer.
In closing, Abe commented that making a game that felt “half action/half [time-based] RPG” resulted in the creation of “Cool ATB”. Director Toriyama enthused that Lightning Returns will feel like a complete package minus any scenario DLC that was present in Final Fantasy XIII-2. Producer Kitase added that Lightning Returns will provide a fresh experience for fans of Final Fantasy XIII and the franchise as a whole. To paraphrase Kitase’s closing comments: “the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy’s story and characters will end in a satisfying way” and to “keep your eyes peeled for new information”.
Source: Final Fantasy Network
I'm quite relieved to hear that there will be NPC merchants other than Chocolina.