FFXIII-2

[Lucavi]

Still nice to see a RPG sequel where those who saved the world (because people ALWAYS save the world in RPGs) retain their strength. It's pretty cool to see people looking at Lightning as a pillar of strength, considering that, if you leveled her up significantly, she's a fucking beast.

You compare that to games that have had semi-sequels or even "true" sequels, like FFVII to DoC, where Vincent didn't even seem that strong, even though in the game, he's absurdly powerful by the end. Another example would be playing FFIV, then playing The After Years, where everyone is weak again. Pretty lame, especially when new characters are added as the "main" character; IE. Ceodore.

[Kiarax]

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/201...eam_interview/

Interesting stuff:

FFXIII-2 will have multiple endings, a first for the series said Toriyama. Famitsu.com's interviewer was extremely shocked by this statement. One of the reasons for including a multi ending system, explained Toriyama, is that when it comes to the world view and serious story development, FFXIII-2 is similar to FFXIII, so they felt that they should show new elements in the gameplay area. He contrasted the changes to the switch from FFX to FFX-2, where the world view and battle system changed considerably.

Toriyama said that the game will have more yarikomi elements (I keep forgetting how to translate that damn word -- it's all the extra crap you can do in a game beyond the main quest). You'll be able to play the game multiple times. Famitsu asked if this means there will be a New Game + style feature, where you restart the game with your character fully buffed up from the previous playthrough. Toriyama responded that they hope to offer a different form of repeat play from this.

Following much feedback from players, they made FFXIII-2 player driven. Players will actively explore and will trigger events with their actions. They're making the game so that there are many choices for players.

The Serah character does not have summons during battle, said Toriyama, but in its place she can have monsters join her party.

[ArchDizzle]

I never used the words "good" or "perfect" once. Maybe read next time? I'm not the troll here.

Motherfucker did I quote you specifically? Did I mention your name? Now explain to me again who needs to read next time.

^ Back on topic, wow that info is interesting, I wonder how varied the endings will be? If they aren't just slight miniscule changes from each other ill be impressed.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Lucavi]

This mess just keeps sounding better and better. Bring on the hype train.

I WANT TO BELIEVE!

[Nevex]

So Serah is the beastmaster after all.
Multiple endings... not sure how I feel about them. Nowdays they really don't add replaybility because people just youtube the hell out of them. Unless there are trophies involved.

[Mytiwar]

I never used the words "good" or "perfect" once. Maybe read next time? I'm not the troll here.

Pretty sure it was meant at Kuya but whatever

Edit: way too late

[Kiarax]

So Serah is the beastmaster after all.
Multiple endings... not sure how I feel about them. Nowdays they really don't add replaybility because people just youtube the hell out of them. Unless there are trophies involved.

So you don't like them because... other people might not bother? What?

[miokomioko]

Another example would be playing FFIV, then playing The After Years, where everyone is weak again.

I hate that crap... and I am honestly surprised they didn't go that route here considering they totally had that opportunity when everyone lost their l'Cie powers right at the end of XIII.

Totally agree though, I am getting hyped.

http://old.yoursonglyrics.com/wp-con...ng-journey.jpg

[Lucavi]

Shouldn't that be part of the perks of saving the goddamned world? All the weapons, armor and power you've attained? Hell, even Samus keeps the bulk of her power transferring from one game to the next (before the obligatory deuce ex that strips her of said bulk to allow the player to play the game). I can't see a troop of warriors killing the physical manifestation of all things hatred, only to be unable to kill a basic country bumpkin goblin with ease some years later.

I think its a great idea to keep Lightning out of the player's hands till mid-late game if it means keeping her at her intense level of strength, ESPECIALLY if she's been continuing to fight all this time. That's a logical, sensible solution and it will only serve to titillate the player with the promise of eventually getting the character back in their own hands to continue to destroy things with.

[Burningthought]

Well a few things seem kinda odd... Lightning is using Odin to fight Chaos Bahamut, Noel and Serah using magic, so that means that they are all L'Cie still?

Another thing is where the fuck is Snow and why isn't he protecting Serah?

All the other characters seem to have an alibi, Fang/Vanille are crystals, Sazh is flying ships to help move shit out of Cocoon, Hope is doing shit with his dad, Lightning is doing her own thing/dead, but nothing for Snow?

[Elcura]

in XIII's case it would've made sense for the characters to be weak without their l'cie powers though. But I'm glad they're still strong at least.

[Lucavi]

True; XIII is one of the only cases where they could have given themselves a free pass. Makes you wonder though, just how strong Lightning really is right now. She lost her powers, yet continue to protect (and obviously train in order to do so). Is her power now simply from sheer physical bluster? I'm already speculating and whatnot - this game sounds great, so long as the typical FF annoyances (singing, goofy cliche moments, refusal to acknowledge hormones leading to awkward scenes, ect.) take a back seat to the plot and fighting.

[Burningthought]

True; XIII is one of the only cases where they could have given themselves a free pass. Makes you wonder though, just how strong Lightning really is right now. She lost her powers, yet continue to protect (and obviously train in order to do so). Is her power now simply from sheer physical bluster? I'm already speculating and whatnot - this game sounds great, so long as the typical FF annoyances (singing, goofy cliche moments, refusal to acknowledge hormones leading to awkward scenes, ect.) take a back seat to the plot and fighting.

She soloed a Chaos Bahamut using Odin@_@

[miokomioko]

Well a few things seem kinda odd... Lightning is using Odin to fight Chaos Bahamut, Noel and Serah using magic, so that means that they are all L'Cie still?

Another thing is where the fuck is Snow and why isn't he protecting Serah?

All the other characters seem to have an alibi, Fang/Vanille are crystals, Sazh is flying ships to help move shit out of Cocoon, Hope is doing shit with his dad, Lightning is doing her own thing/dead, but nothing for Snow?

Well, let's see here... First, while everyone with visible l'Cie brands lost them in the end of XIII, it's never really established that Lightning actually lost hers (she touched her chest and then was distracted without ever saying a word). She disappears into some weird alternate dimension of darkness of whatnot soon after the ending, apparently inhabited by chaos Eidolons? Could be a new focus/duty type of thing.

Also, now that Coccoon's military is no longer enemy, it's possible that any magic used by Serah/Noel are Manadrive technology based... or that Serah's "dream" of Noel was part of a new focus and she got branded all over again. Snow is the only thing missing from current trailers/spoilers that the bridge story doesn't explain. My bet is on Serah being so distraught about Lightning's disappearance, that Snow ran off to find her so Serah wouldn't go getting herself killed attempting it herself.

[Elcura]

I think maybe because they have summons they can remain strong (at least when the summon is around). Lightning was badass at fighting before becoming a l'cie, and likely after XIII she's even better.

I do remember them saying that people with a mark see summons when in distress, but only the XIII group managed to conquer theirs (afaik).

[Burningthought]

Well, let's see here... First, while everyone with visible l'Cie brands lost them in the end of XIII, it's never really established that Lightning actually lost hers (she touched her chest and then was distracted without ever saying a word). She disappears into some weird alternate dimension of darkness of whatnot soon after the ending, apparently inhabited by chaos Eidolons? Could be a new focus/duty type of thing.

Also, now that Coccoon's military is no longer enemy, it's possible that any magic used by Serah/Noel are Manadrive technology based... or that Serah's "dream" of Noel was part of a new focus and she got branded all over again. Snow is the only thing missing from current trailers/spoilers that the bridge story doesn't explain. My bet is on Serah being so distraught about Lightning's disappearance, that Snow ran off to find her so Serah wouldn't go getting herself killed attempting it herself.

Oh shit son, I think I missed some parts of the story, was that part of the written epilogue stuff? I didn't get to read all of it because it wasn't completely available in English, I only caught a chapter or two.

[miokomioko]

Yeah, it's quite an interesting read... It takes place pretty much right at the ending sequence of XIII. I think there's 8 chapters.
http://dilly-shilly.blogspot.com/201...episode-i.html

There's also a whole prologue written about XIII called Episode Zero. (I don't think this sheds any light on XIII-2 though).
http://dilly-shilly.blogspot.com/200...sode-zero.html

Aaaand a decent little recap regarding the mythology of Pulse/Fal'Cie/The Maker/Humans/etc. for Fabula Nova Crystallis if that sheds any light at all (I think it's more of the link between the other titles).
http://dilly-shilly.blogspot.com/201...mythology.html

[Insanecyclone]

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/201...eam_interview/


Final Fantasy XIII-2 Team Interviewed


Toriyama and Kitase discuss multiple endings, new gameplay systems, and fighting along side monsters.

Famitsu.com has posted an interview it conducted with Final Fantasy XIII-2 producer Yoshinori Kitase and director Motomu Toriyama at E3. Here's a summary of what the two developers had to say about the upcoming sequel.

Regarding the line in the trailer about Lightning's death

Kitase said that he can't talk about this mysterious line about FFXIII's main character Lightning. He suggested that fans read the Episode i novella and imagine from there. Toriyama said that Lightning is the story's backbone, and dead or alive she'll appear in the game and you'll take control of her.

On baggy pants Noel
Toriyama described Noel, a new character for the game, as having a different type of chivalry from Snow, the male lead FFXIII. Regarding how Noel fits into the story, Toriyama said that he can't say much at present.

On the explorative component of the E3 demo
The original Final Fantasy XIII was very story driven, said Toriyama, meaning the focus was on the story and the story would make the game move in certain ways. Following much feedback from players, they made FFXIII-2 player driven. Players will actively explore and will trigger events with their actions. They're making the game so that there are many choices for players.

On why there are monsters in your battle party
One of the changes observed in the battle system is that monsters can now be part of your party. This is to allow for more strategic roll gameplay, said Toriyama. Each monster has specific rolls, and by grouping monsters together in different ways, players can create a more personalized experience. Kitase said that the the Paradigm Shift system gives the game the image of battling while switching your decks in a card game.

On the response from overseas press
Toriyama said players appear to be happy that gameplay areas from the original have changed. Kitase noted that in the current version, they're showing off the explorative elements and greater feeling of freedom. However, there are a lot of other elements that they currently cannot speak about.

On repeat play
Toriyama said that the game will have more yarikomi elements (I keep forgetting how to translate that damn word -- it's all the extra crap you can do in a game beyond the main quest). You'll be able to play the game multiple times. Famitsu asked if this means there will be a New Game + style feature, where you restart the game with your character fully buffed up from the previous playthrough. Toriyama responded that they hope to offer a different form of repeat play from this.

On multiple endings
FFXIII-2 will have multiple endings, a first for the series said Toriyama. Famitsu.com's interviewer was extremely shocked by this statement. One of the reasons for including a multi ending system, explained Toriyama, is that when it comes to the world view and serious story development, FFXIII-2 is similar to FFXIII, so they felt that they should show new elements in the gameplay area. He contrasted the changes to the switch from FFX to FFX-2, where the world view and battle system changed considerably.

On Multiple Bahamuts
An E3 trailer showed Lightning in a battle scene where she was riding her Odin summon and fighting against a Bahamut, Chaos Bahamut. Famitsu.com noted that Fang's summon is also Bahamut. Are these two Bahamuts different? Yes, responded Toriyama. The Chaos Bahamut is a slightly different existence from a summon.

On Serah's Summons
The Serah character does not have summons during battle, said Toriyama, but in its place she can have monsters join her party.

On the demo's location
Toriyama wouldn't identify the location of the demo area, but he did say that it's an important area in the game's story.

On the poster image in Famtisu's article
The poster image in Famitsu.com's article (shown below), which shows Serah and Lightning, was created by art director Isamu Kamikokuryou as part of a request for something different from FFXIII, owing to FFXIII-2 having a darker and more mysterious world. The theme Kamikokuryou used for the image is "surrealism." The image shown in the article will be a symbolic image for FFXIII-2, said Toriyama.

http://www.andriasang.com/blog/2011/...50819_full.jpg

[Elcura]

Lots of good shit here, I am excited again for a FF.

[Lucavi]

Sounds gooooood. Keep up the good work, SE!