Outside of the DLC discussion, Dengeki PlayStation also covered a few bits of information on FINAL FANTASY XIII-2’s new gameplay systems.

The two new systems being introduced to the game are called Summon Raid and Synchro Drive.

Summon Raid is essentially the monster hunting/capturing component of the game. In battles, a certain percent of defeated monsters will turn into crystals once you defeat them. The percentage is dependent on the type of monster.

Summon Raid can hold up to three monsters, each with their own specific role (such as Attacker, Blaster, Healer, etc). When you shift Paradigms in battle, monsters will automatically switch with you depending on said roles.

Synchro Drive is a special move set for captured monsters. When you build this gauge up in battle under certain conditions, it allows you to trigger a powerful attack, usually carried out by a sequence of quick time button presses.

In other FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 news, Dengeki touches on a couple of new story details.

First off, Snow and Serah haven’t gotten married yet. Since the end of FINAL FANTASY XIII, they’ve lived together for two years. Snow trusts Serah in that Lightning is still alive somewhere, so he leaves to go find her. A year passes and he has not yet returned. It is then that Serah meets Noel and ventures off to find Lightning together with him. As seen in the TGS trailer, Serah and Snow finally catch up, but Noel doesn’t particularly like him, even calling Snow careless.

Main antagonist Caius is said to be the strongest FINAL FANTASY villain in the series. Chaos Bahamut and Caius have a special relationship in the story, but the details of that will remain secret for now.

The Sunleth Waterscape returns in FINAL FANTASY XIII-2. Because the fal’Cie of that area fell asleep at the end of FFXIII, the area has gone from being lush and green to more “Autumn” in appearance. As such, giant creatures have moved into the area, which will, in some cases, give you the ability to ride on their backs for travel.