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Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII features an “amazing Active Time Battle” system By Erren Van Duine on December 25, 2012 at 3:02 AM

Some more Lightning Returns details have leaked out following this week’s Japanese magazine release.

A few bits and pieces of this we already know, such as Lightning’s new costume design being drawn up by Tetsuya Nomura. Lightning will also have access to other outfits, including the ability to change colors.

Given that the game’s core concepts revolve around time, time itself will always be moving forward on the field except for when you’re messing about in menus. To create an even more living environment, NPCs will often change their location and well as their movements. Time also factors into information gathering – there’s only specific times when you’ll be able to find key clues throughout various locations.

In FFXIII, each day actually consisted of 26 hours but due to the effects of Chaos, the time for each day has been shortened to 24 hours much like our own world. As we know, time in LRFFXIII ends in 13 days, but whether or not you can continue past 13 days is still a secret. Those who play skillfully can probably clear the game within 2 to 4 days of game time. Because of this, there are many different ways to get to the game’s ending. Reaching it sooner won’t necessarily alter the ending itself, however, events that occur beforehand will provide the motivation needed to attempt multiple playthroughs.

In LRFFXIII the player controls Lightning and Lightning alone, however, the game is not an action RPG. Weapons, shields, accessories, and abilities are formed into “Styles” which can be switched out during battle. The outward appearance and performance of these Styles will enjoy a great selection of customization. The act of defeating enemies will allow Lightning to earn points which will increase available world time and items to strengthen her equipment. Unlike the previous games, however, Lightning will be limited in the number of items she’ll be able to carry.

While the name of LRFFXIII’s combat system has yet to find a name for itself, it’s tentatively being referred to as “sugoi ATB,” or rather something along the lines of “amazing ATB.” Commands can be set up and mapped to face buttons, combined with action elements such as real-time blocking and direct control over Lightning’s movement. These button presses allow the player to keep a close watch over the ATB bar itself without having to worry too much about menu selections. It’s a system that gives the impression that multiple members still take part in battle despite the reality of Lightning’s solo situation.

Monsters will appear both in and around the city. At certain times, black haze will appear in certain areas which signifies a new monster territory. Approximately half of the game’s monsters are new, so you’ll still encounter some familiar types from the previous two games.

The world of Novus Partus is said to be vast, with locations connected in a very much open world style. To travel between each of the four islands, Lightning can board a monorail or simply walk to other areas. Right now the team is working on expanding the world. They begin each section by laying out each map and then make necessary adjustments. Regarding each of the four continents, each one is being constructed one by one and the staff are now having a good time trying to conjure ways to connect them.

Those worried about possible scenario DLC after XIII-2′s cliffhanger ending, rest easy – Motomu Toriyama says that the end of this title can be experienced within one singular package. Kitase guarantees that you’ll also find satisfaction by the outcome of stories for the other FFXIII characters who don’t seem to play a big role this time around.

Posted in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII.
  • Mikhel

    The costume little bit look like Assassin’s Creed.. yeah.. little..

  • Tenjyusei

    Seriously? Sugoi ATB? Whaaaaaat?!?

  • Hedge

    Direct control over lightning? Hope this means free movement during battle.

    I also hope weapons/shields aren’t tied to particular outfits. If possible, i’d like lightning to wear something more modest and less flappy. I don’t care for either of the two outfits revealed so far, but do like one of their shields.

  • CauseICan

    Is there another meaning to “direct control over Lightning’s movement”?! If not, i’m pretty sure that literally means we’ll control her every move during battle.

  • http://twitter.com/AshleyGreen1980 Ashley Green

    Changing color of outfits sounds great, but I’m hoping time stops in battles too

  • http://twitter.com/AshleyGreen1980 Ashley Green

    Can they even call it an “atb” something, it seems more like a stamina bar

  • Hedge

    Well essentially it is a translation, so some things might either get misunderstood or simply lost in translation. I’m sure it means the same thing, I was just expressing hope.

  • Type9

    “To create an even more living environment, NPCs will often change their
    location and well as their movements. Time also factors into information
    gathering – there’s only specific times when you’ll be able to find key
    clues throughout various locations.” – Pretty much how it’s always been in RPGs except there’s some time-keeping system involved (which isn’t considerably different). If I didn’t know any better, I’d say they’re indulging in common design pretending it’s somehow nuanced from the past.

    “In LRFFXIII the player controls Lightning and Lightning alone, however, the game is not an action RPG.” – The gameplay in the trailer would seemingly suggest otherwise, so it’s up in the air for now. Vagary like this is the reason I can’t stand them sometimes.

    “Weapons, shields, accessories, and abilities are formed into “Styles” which can be switched out during battle” – Equipping gear to assemble a “Paradigm Style” seems to be an interesting way of battle customization.

  • Tenjyusei

    Well, that is certainly good news! I need closure T_T

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=605040896 Shady Shita

    AWESOME !

  • http://twitter.com/Azuardo Azuardo

    I didn’t think they’d be going the path of story DLC again, but I’m very pleased to hear it’ll all be wrapped up in this game. Quite curious to how the battle system plays out. Gives off a more Kingdom Hearts vibe with the free-roaming and commands on buttons, but hopefully won’t be as repetitive as I remember. I remember a couple of years back SE mentioned the future of FF will likely be more action-oriented, and I can only really see traditional turn-based FFs sticking to handhelds from now on.

  • Charles

    I hope they will show Lightning’s mortal enemy even if it’s Caius again! :D

  • http://twitter.com/AcolyteHalcyon Acolyte Halcyon

    It’s a temporary name -_-

  • Tenjyusei

    Haha I know, let’s hope they won’t stick to it ;P

  • http://www.facebook.com/prince.almarzouqi1 Prince Al-Marzouqi

    “Pretty much how it’s always been in RPGs except there’s some time-keeping system involved (which isn’t considerably different). ”

    They meant it’s a new thing in FF!

    “The gameplay in the trailer would seemingly suggest otherwise, so it’s up in the air for now. Vagary like this is the reason I can’t stand them sometimes.”
    Who cares? It looks awesome!

  • http://www.facebook.com/prince.almarzouqi1 Prince Al-Marzouqi

    I hope they’ll add more new monsters cuz only “half” of them are new which isn’t impressive, and the game will be boring if we keep seeing old monsters!

  • http://twitter.com/Azuardo Azuardo

    Yeah, I was disappointed looking at some of the screens seeing old monsters. Ugh. I guess half and half isn’t bad.

  • http://www.facebook.com/snipski Rikard Olsson

    so lightning is the only playable character? if so thats kinda lame..

  • http://www.facebook.com/jacob.i.drummond Jacob Isaac Drummond

    The thing is that I’m wondering is HOW she is going to save the world from ending, Isn’t Cauis dead? Etro died with him but the secret ending on Final Fantasy XIII-2 contridicts that however Cauis is somewhat Immortal or was that due to Etro’s heart?

    I think the game looks amazing, I really can’t wait for it to be released but I wonder how things will happen

  • Type9

    “A new thing in FF” is often exaggerated, as though they’ve been hermetically developing their games; it’s also strange when they ‘coin’ these mechanics too.

    And looks I couldn’t care less about (though I don’t disagree) since functionality is what interests me. We’ll know soon enough how this version of ATB works exactly (and with Abe around again I’m sure it’ll be interesting).

  • http://flylikeabrian.tumblr.com/ Brian

    I think that Caius being alive plus the heart of Etro still clearly emanating from his chest alludes to Etro being weakened rather than dead. The main antagonist of this game will be the god Bhunivelze, as his reawakening gaurantees the destruction of the physical world and a sort of rebirth. So I think Lightnings main objective would be to prevent his awakening within the span of XIII days. Also since Lightnings powers are originally from Etro wouldnt she have lost them with her death? And she is said to be even more powerful in this game. Perhaps help from another DIety? I guess we wont really know until it comes out.

  • salem

    That was also a very early build of the final product. You’d think people would wait for a more developed trailer or to see the gameplay live, but hey…

  • salem

    Well, that’s what I have to say about this entire game…
    “sugoi”

  • Type9

    Some people are already dismissing the “free movement” claim which is odd… more than likely we’ll see it used in a future trailer.

  • http://twitter.com/Azuardo Azuardo

    The more I read the more it sounds like Majora’s Mask. The four continents thing further points to it, too. MM was also a shorter Zelda game with less dungeons, but more focus on NPC activity and exploring. LR sounds like the FF equivalent. Since MM is one of my fave Zeldas (if not my definite fave) I’m quite intrigued to see how good LR ends up. The trailer left me disappointed but I’m hoping the gameplay and world itself can redeem things, and they are the most important factors, after all. That and the story.

  • Tenjyusei

    They better fix that town though because it looks like PS2 Rabanastre :/ I had high hopes for that town concept :/

  • http://www.facebook.com/jacob.i.drummond Jacob Isaac Drummond

    It would explain quite alot of things, Thanks :3
    Caius can move along with the Chaos, as long as the Chaos exist he will exist (I found that out today)

  • http://twitter.com/Azuardo Azuardo

    Agreed. Compare the town artwork to the game version. Looks way different (terrible). Hopefully other areas will look good.

  • Mohammed Allulu

    No offense, but you are such a blind fan!

    No matter how much you loved the first two games, you shouldn’t in your right mind say that this game is going to be “sugoi” after seeing just one trailer!
    And this is coming from a die-hard FFXIII and XIII-2 fan.

  • Nathaniel Silversmith

    We wish.

  • Nathaniel Silversmith

    And to be wholly honest, Rabanastre looks more detailed and on a whole: better.

  • http://flylikeabrian.tumblr.com/ Brian

    The game is only like 30% complete so they have a lot of touching up to do.

  • Type9

    The blind fans are the most irritable considering they reject any and everything negative.

  • Mohammed Allulu

    Exactly!