Article: LR: Vanille Returns, a new 4th continent, and fanservice galore

[Rey]

[28/07/2013] Vanille Returns, a new 4th continent, and lots more including Lightning's bust size.

Are you surprised by the last bit in the title?

A premium meeting/collaboration with Play Asia.com has just revealed more information on Lightning Returns: FF XIII.

Fan favourite Toriyama and Kitase shared the info.

Lightning's costumes

Hey do you remember that beautiful girl in FFX? Now you can see Lightning wearing her gorgeous costume.

Yuna costume pics

Does it not look so wrong?

Specials for Summoner of Spira (Yuna costume): Ladylike bow,(reference to Yuna) , Sleeves wave and dance as Lighting moves in battle.

Previous outfits

Yup! You can make Lightning just like old times. This is a godsend since these outfits look better than all of them.

Bad news: You need save data from both of the previous games. Sucks for you XIII haters huh?

Colours!

In LR, players can colour all of Lightning's outfits as a whole, or one by one.

The continents

Luxerion: Investigate a murder in two styles. Detective= quiet whilst tracking= more movement. Pick your poison.

Dead Dunes: Large desert with some ruins deep inside.

Yusnaan: After meeting Snow Villiers(Governor General) players will make use of their time. Lots of interesting stuff awaits.

Wildland: If you played Skyrim you will probably be very familiar with this sort of open world. You can ride a Chocobo to get around this very vast area.

Lightning will only be able to hold 6 items at the beginning of the game but this will increase through play time. 100 types of shops are present in Lightning returns: FF XIII according to Toriyama and Kitase.

Vanille Returns: Final Fantasy XIII: The salvation council are keeping her at home in the city of Luxerion. Toriyama stated that more about Vanille will be revealed soon.

Square Enix also shared details on difficulty.

Although the ending of LR will be completely concrete, players who finish the game will unlock optional areas with supreme leveled monsters(balance is still being decided) Lightning's strength is so overwhelming that it is possible to beat the last boss in 50 seconds through the use of costumes, customization, and strength.

And now.... the part players will want to hear.

Has Lightning's bust size really gone from C to D?

SE have stated that they did increase her bust size to "fit" the costumes that show off her cleavage.

There was also a Q&A where weird questions/others were answered.

Q1: I think that one of Lightning`s most attractive features is her armpit. Is there a costume that will show off this part of her when she does her victory pose?
A1: Something that shows off her armpit..? Well, there are some revealing sets of costumes. I’m sure you’ll enjoy those.

Q2: On the shop’s accessory screens, I didn’t see any earrings or other small items that looked like they could be equipped…
A2: We’re still at a point where there’s time to make adjustments. We’ll look into that.
Q3: Will there be an arena-like area like there was in Final Fantasy XIII-2?
A3: Yes. There will be an area where you can fight strong monsters.

Q4: I know you said there will be a time system in this game, but will there be an item like the Excalibur II from Final Fantasy IX that you can only obtain at one specific time in the game?
A4: There won’t be anything specifically like that, but you will be using the time system a lot over the course of the game. For example, there will be quests that you must clear within a time limit, items that you can only buy during the first half of the game, and some shop characters that you can only run into once in a while. The world you play within will be constantly changing.
Q5: Will you be able to customize the weapon and shield colors?
A5: This won’t be a feature, but there will be a large number of each to collect. There will be about 70 or 80 swords, and the number of shields is only a few less than this, so there will be lots of combinations to play with.
Q6: Will there be mini-games?
A6: There aren’t really going to be simple card-based mini-games, but there will be mini-game-like ways to clear certain stages of the continental quests.
Q7: Why is Hope a young boy?
A7: As of now, thanks to the power of the gods Hope has been returned to the form of a young boy.
Q8: Final Fantasy XIII-2 featured multiple endings – how about this game?
A8: This is the last installment in the Lightning Saga, so there is only one ending. Outside of this, if you fail to save the world, of course it’s game over, and the New Game Plus feature will allow you to explore new areas of the world after completing the game.

Q9: In Final Fantasy XIII there were small jokes, like when you shook the controller Lightning’s eyes would roll. Is there anything like that in this game?
A9: I don’t think so, unfortunately. But if you move Lightning toward walls and pull her back away from them at the last minute, she will launch herself away from them. Depending on the costume she’s wearing, her ‘launch pose’ will change, so we hope you’ll have fun with that.

Q10: Are there any plans to use DLC in combination with the costumes?
A10: This hasn’t been decided yet. However, I think that you’ll be able to enjoy the entire game from the disc you purchase at the store.

Q11: Will Hope be fighting alongside Lightning?
A11: We have only two weeks left for development, but we’re considering it (laughs). Hope is so supportive to Lightning…

Q12: I really like Moogles and Chocobos. How many kinds of each will there be?
A12: There will be some Chocobos you haven’t seen before! But we ask that you please wait for our follow-up report.

For people doubting the ending will be concrete: This is the last installment in the Lightning Saga, so there is only one ending. Outside of this, if you fail to save the world, of course it’s game over, and the New Game Plus feature will allow you to explore new areas of the world after completing the game.


Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is due out for PS3 and Xbox 360 in Japan on November 21, in North America on February 11, and in Europe on February 14.

Source: Gematsu

Vanille is back as expected. I am predicting this game more and more as time goes by.

A few things I want to address....


On Hope being a young boy again: For now... he was changed thanks to the power of the gods. <----- REALLY? That better be explained!

On poses: I don’t think so, unfortunately. But if you move Lightning toward walls and pull her back away from them at the last minute, she will launch herself away from them. Depending on the costume she’s wearing, her ‘launch pose’ will change, so we hope you’ll have fun with that. <--- Panty/cleavage shots? *sigh*


Two weeks of development left? I feel like they rushed and gave sooo much info away.

I am happy about the 4th continent being open world. It should also be nice to explore optional areas after completing the game once.

"Elite" members of SE have defeated the final boss in 50 seconds? Damn. I really hope it is not so easy. I feel like this is going to be easy as X-2 for some reason.

I am so glad I have save data for the XIII and XIII-2 costumes. I do not want my Lightning to be some sex doll kthnxbye.

Lightning's boobs being bigger is nice. Right?

Lastly.... Lightning looks horribad in Yuna's dress.

 

[The Welsh Paddy]

Yuna costume pics

Does it not look so wrong?

Specials for Summoner of Spira (Yuna costume): Ladylike bow,(reference to Yuna) , Sleeves wave and dance as Lighting moves in battle.

Steve-O

 

[Master Cat]

Mehh, Lightning doesn't deserve to wear Yuna's costume from FFX. I feel like it has too much meaning and symbolism attached to it (ex. Summoner's pilgrimage) that for Lightning to wear it seems like a sham. >.>;

Anyhow, I am glad that it doesn't seem like there will be any DLC and that there will only be one ending. Players have always complained about SE using DLC as a means of making money off of "locked" features within the disc, so I guess it's a good thing that SE is making everything available to players straight from the disc this time.

In regards to customization, I suppose it's an interesting feature to include (although I think having 100+ costumes, 70+ swords/shields is more than enough), players should be given the freedom of making minor color alterations. ~.~; Kinda just seems like the designers couldn't settle on particular color schemes, so it's more like "Here ya go, gamers! Have fun making this look to your fancy 'cause we sure don't have any idea what to do with it!" ... or maybe that's just how I see it. >.>

Hope being a kid again due to "the power of the gods" sounds like a bunch of hoopla. Although I appreciate their sense of humor, I would hope that there is a concrete reason that will be revealed/explained during the gameplay. 'Cause then it's just a plot hole or ridiculous decision based on a personal preference for Hope's younger self.

And I'm glad Vanille is back! :3 (Although not totally unexpected. This is the last installment, after all.)

 

[Linnaete]

although I think having 100+ costumes, 70+ swords/shields is more than enough), players should be given the freedom of making minor color alterations

The actual costume count is not quite 100. As I understand it, the number of base costumes are about a fifth of that number, but with how you can customise the colours, small little accessory details, weapon designs etc. it goes up to about 80-ish. You can also customise the existing Guardian Corps and Valkyrie Lightning costumes from the first two games if you have the save data to acquire them.

I'm still unsure as to what field of depth this gives to skills and augmentation acquirement. Do all customisation options bring various abilities, both passive and active? Are you restricted in terms of what abilities you can access based on your costume lineup in battle, or can you transfer abilities over? The report explicitly mentions:

a) you can beat the final boss in under a minute with the right customisation if you look for it

b) if you're not very good at the game, you can theoretically build a customisation that allows you to beat the game without ever once blocking or parrying

With the absence of a level system in some overt shape or form, with stat development pivoted solely around playing and dressing up Barbie, and how the developers are saying you can theoretically break the game with a certain customisation, there will easily be a plethora of issues to do with balancing. I sort of predict a piss easy game designed for a player to be able to speedrun through with no real problems. It's a game designed for a degree of speedrunning and multiple playthroughs after all, despite the core game mechanic of trying to give yourself extra in-game time.

I'm not even going to bother bitching for long about the bra size crap and whatever titillating fanservice is available. I expect this kind of rubbish from Z-tier garbage rank developers like Compile Heart, but it's somewhat disconcerting to see it being proudly paraded around by Square-Enix, while some Japanese fans with such great priorities enthusiastically ask about Lightning's sexy armpits and breast physics. Don't let me get in the way of Toriyama's little schoolboy fantasies and his Shakespearean thriller.

 

[Master Cat]

I'm not even going to bother bitching for long about the bra size crap and whatever titillating fanservice is available. I expect this kind of rubbish from Z-tier garbage rank developers like Compile Heart, but it's somewhat disconcerting to see it being proudly paraded around by Square-Enix, while some Japanese fans with such great priorities enthusiastically ask about Lightning's sexy armpits and breast physics. Don't let me get in the way of Toriyama's little schoolboy fantasies and his Shakespearean thriller.

Yeah, I was actually surprised someone made a comment like that. Sexy armpits? I guess they're free of stubble and very clean shaven, but why would they design them in any other way? Sounds like an armpit fetish to me. ~.~

I guess while Lara Croft's bust decreased, Lightning's will increase! xD;

 

[Steve-O]

Steve-O

no summoning.... i call BULLSHIT on this fake

I read about this beast size stuff.... nice to see how low the XIII team have gotten to if all they care ab out is BOOBIES

 

[Paddy McGee]

nice to see how low the XIII team have gotten to if all they care ab out is BOOBIES

And Armpits. SEXY SEXY ARMPITS!



But yes, I find the Yuna outfit just... Annoying. I understand they want to get the X HD remaster out there, but for goodness sake... Just no.


However, the colouring change is actually interesting... I would like this incorporated into a future FF game- perhaps with jobs? Meh, jus' sayin'...

 

[Razberry Knight]

I highly doubt this cross-promotion their doing is actually working. With Yuna outfit solely to promote FFX/X-2 and FFXIV going to have lightning to promote LR:FFXIII, it just doesn't seem like they have the right idea.

other than that, i'm glad no DLC to plague this game any more than it looks, so i don't feel sorry for those who wasted money on the game. Vanille is back, i hate her almost more than annoying orange, but i'm hoping she gets a new outfdit and a new look (and a new personality) as what happened with Snow.


this game doesn't look like a complete disappointment, but story wise, i still have my doubts, and thats what matters the most to me.

 

[Tyler Breeze]

I think it's pretty fucked up, how they put her in Yuna's outfit like that. I'm sure there are many people with special memories attached to that outfit and the original character that was in it. Now, they're pretty much saying "recreate those memories, but with Lightning!"

I'm liking the whole customization aspect of it, admittedly. Should be fun to see how I can "work it, gurl".

As for her bust size and all that... Yeah. You know what people say. It sells. Uh.... So... Yeah. XD

 

[Rey]

I'm not even going to bother bitching for long about the bra size crap and whatever titillating fanservice is available. I expect this kind of rubbish from Z-tier garbage rank developers like Compile Heart, but it's somewhat disconcerting to see it being proudly paraded around by Square-Enix, while some Japanese fans with such great priorities enthusiastically ask about Lightning's sexy armpits and breast physics. Don't let me get in the way of Toriyama's little schoolboy fantasies and his Shakespearean thriller.

Disappointing and disturbing? You act like Square Enix are innocent! Final Fantasy X-2 would like a word with you. Mmm... they only asked about the armpits because in XIII-2 they fangasm over Lightning's outfit.

Is it slightly discomforting? Maybe. Just do not act like Square Enix were never known to be like compile heart. Hell, Square Enix have always had sex appeal in their games.

Tifa, Yuna with no bra, Rikku(ffx scene) and her FF X-2 appearance, etc. Remember Ashe? Her outfit was very princess like, right? You also act like it is not the first time they buff breast sizes on characters. All this stuff is normal in Japan. It does not matter if it is SE or not. Aya Brea, Yuna, and now Lightning have all gone through the same treatment.

Toriyama is definitely a fan favourite.

 

[Caladbolg]

Nice ! Can't wait to have this I really enjoyed playing XIII and XIII-2, dunno why some of you guys hate one of these. btw. It was a while, haven't been on this forum for ages, it's good to be back though

 

[Jacqui]

OK- so the costumes are part of a job system? If so, excellent, if not what's the point? I actually think this looks kinda good though.

And who cares about people asking questions about sexy armpits and Lightning's bigger boobs? That's just to cause a fuss. You can just as easily ignore it.