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Lightning Returns: FFXIII screenshots and extended Jump Festa trailer

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Mario007

Member
That's enough proof that Vaan really felt out of place in FF XII.
To be fair they did it with Tidus in X and he was a much better protagonist than Vaan or Lightning could ever hope to be. In fact, Vaan is a better protagonist than Lightning simply by the virtue of the first 3-4 hours of the game and that one character development moment he had in the middle of FFXII. Revenant Wings also helped to shape him quite well.

And let's not pretend having Bash as the main character would have saved FFXII. That game was a mess in everything but the lore and gameplay. The story was just as boring as the Lightning's saga's is ridiculous. People might praise it for 'mature, political plot' but the plot was boring, with every twist being predictable along the way. Once it tried it get interesting with the Occuria but that was too little too late.
 

demidar

Member
To be fair they did it with Tidus in X and he was a much better protagonist than Vaan or Lightning could ever hope to be. In fact, Vaan is a better protagonist than Lightning simply by the virtue of the first 3-4 hours of the game and that one character development moment he had in the middle of FFXII. Revenant Wings also helped to shape him quite well.

And let's not pretend having Bash as the main character would have saved FFXII. That game was a mess in everything but the lore and gameplay. The story was just as boring as the Lightning's saga's is ridiculous. People might praise it for 'mature, political plot' but the plot was boring, with every twist being predictable along the way. Once it tried it get interesting with the Occuria but that was too little too late.

Tidus was actually integral to the plot so I don't see the similarities besides being young, although it looks like Vaan is a lot better in Revenant Wings (wouldn't know since I never played it).

While certainly Basch wouldn't guarantee a better story, there's still a higher chance the story would turn out better simply because the "main" character is so disconnected to everything besides a few things like Reks' part at the start (which was suppose to be Basch as well I think).
 

Mario007

Member
Tidus was actually integral to the plot so I don't see the similarities besides being young, although it looks like Vaan is a lot better in Revenant Wings (wouldn't know since I never played it).

While certainly Basch wouldn't guarantee a better story, there's still a higher chance the story would turn out better simply because the "main" character is so disconnected to everything besides a few things like Reks' part at the start (which was suppose to be Basch as well I think).
What I meant is that both with Tidus and Vaan the common theme was to have a disconnected main character who can be easily introduced to things by people in the game's world, thus giving the player info about it all. Now, they succeeded with Tidus in this regard,but fell flat with Vaan.

I always considered Balthier to be much more connected to the world than Bash. Sure with Bash you have that whole conspiracy and whatnot going on and he wants to restore Dalmasca but he is a pretty one note character. Balthier was probably the only one who had any sort of a decent story, was skilled when it came to Ivalice and was likable. He was kinda the Zidane of FFXII.

Btw that Reks part at the start and first few hours gave me hope Vaan was going to be great. But in the end that all got pushed under the carpet once you rescue Ashe and the story is taken away from Vaan, pretty much.
It's for the same reason that RW, the whole game was made around Vaan. I mean you still can't escape some of the Japan tropes of 'our friendship will beat even the biggest enemy' but overall Vaan and Penelo were much more likable in RW than in FFXII.
 

Exentryk

Member
Can anyone translate Japanese? http://hokanko-alt.ldblog.jp/archives/67767268.html

野村哲也氏
・入社してかれこれ21年
・厳しい冬を迎えているが風邪など引かないよう健康管理に気を付けて欲しい
・暖かい春がやってくるのを待ち望んでいる

Google translate:
● Tetsuya Nomura
· 21 years now gets iterated once more in the hope I joined
· I want to be careful not to catch a cold on health care has reached a severe winter
• The warm spring waiting to arrive

Is Nomura just talking about the weather or is the warm spring bringing something more?
OuoGy.gif
 
To be fair they did it with Tidus in X and he was a much better protagonist than Vaan or Lightning could ever hope to be. In fact, Vaan is a better protagonist than Lightning simply by the virtue of the first 3-4 hours of the game and that one character development moment he had in the middle of FFXII. Revenant Wings also helped to shape him quite well.

And let's not pretend having Bash as the main character would have saved FFXII. That game was a mess in everything but the lore and gameplay. The story was just as boring as the Lightning's saga's is ridiculous. People might praise it for 'mature, political plot' but the plot was boring, with every twist being predictable along the way. Once it tried it get interesting with the Occuria but that was too little too late.

Thank you.

It's really embarassing how when someone calls out how non-eventful the story is in that game they just say "well its a mature political plot you don't get it".

NO.

Politics does not equal boring goddammit.
 
Can anyone translate Japanese? http://hokanko-alt.ldblog.jp/archives/67767268.html



Is Nomura just talking about the weather or is the warm spring bringing something more?
OuoGy.gif

21 years now gets iterated once more in the hope I joined
=
21 years now. gets iterated once more, in the hope I joined
If ff 13vs reach 21 years of development time , it will be get iterated(aka restart development from zero) if Nomura hopefully(aka free after ff13-6) joins the the development team.


also Lighting returns is making him sick this winter.
 

demidar

Member
I actually want to try out FFXII again on my emulator because when I played it I was just a dumbshit kid and now I can appreciate more things, but I can't seem to find my copy. I quit of boredom a bit after I beat the 5 mandragoras boss fight and got into a new city.
 

Exentryk

Member
21 years now gets iterated once more in the hope I joined
=
21 years now. gets iterated once more, in the hope I joined
If ff 13vs reach 21 years of development time , it will be get iterated(aka restart development from zero) if Nomura hopefully(aka free after ff13-6) joins the the development team.


also Lighting returns is making him sick this winter.

So he is just talking about the weather. Thanks.
 

Goli

Member
From that same link Exentryk posted...
北:前作からのキャラ達の物語も満足する形で完結する事を保証する
Happy ending for Noel confirmed? ;-;
I wonder if this means Serah and Snow will get married or something, too.
 

Exentryk

Member
From that same link Exentryk posted...

Happy ending for Noel confirmed? ;-;
I wonder if this means Serah and Snow will get married or something, too.

A happy ending for Noel would be good. But they've already stated LR will be a happy ending for everyone.
 

dramatis

Member
Don't do joke translations, it might actually confuse people.

A happy ending for Noel would be good. But they've already stated LR will be a happy ending for everyone.
Who is going to believe that after Toriyama claiming 13-2 would give Lightning a happy ending?
 

Pooya

Member
don't know about you guys, if every characters dies a painful death in the ending I'd consider it a happy one for me.
 

Shinta

Banned
Who is going to believe that after Toriyama claiming 13-2 would give Lightning a happy ending?

I thought I heard someone say that he changed his mind before it came out because of the Tsunami disaster. So he wanted it to be about perseverance in the face of complete hopelessness. I'd say he pretty much succeeded on that with the ending.

After the backlash they got, they won't dare do another sad ending.

The ending was one of the best in the series, and I don't think he's too concerned about any backlash. A happy ending can really mean anything. It can mean seeing the person you love once before you die. It can mean saving everyone else. We don't really know what will happen yet.

I dare anyone to make a prediction on the ending. I made mine a while ago, and it's not really a happy ending. There are ways it could be framed in a happy way, but it's still fairly dark.

I doubt my guess is anywhere close to accurate though. XIII-2's ending could not be predicted by anyone before it was released. Honestly, no one could have predicted XIII's ending either, even with it being right in the logo.
 

Exentryk

Member
The thing was that they specifically mentioned that the ending will be happy when talking about LR. Why would they do that? Obviously they had heard people complain about XIII-2's ending.

I know what you're saying, but they'll choose the cheesy everyone's happy and alive route, imo.
 

Shinta

Banned
The thing was that they specifically mentioned that the ending will be happy when talking about LR. Why would they do that? Obviously they had heard people complain about XIII-2's ending.

I know what you're saying, but they'll choose the cheesy everyone's happy and alive route, imo.

I just have doubts that they will. Who knows? Just my guess, but X, XIII and XIII-2 all had tragic elements in the ending, and they were all a bit unusual as well.
 

Grampasso

Member
Not that much excited about the screens :/
It seems quite generic stylewise and we don't know much about actual gameplay, so I'm still on hold about this one.
 
Lightning’s new costume is designed by Tetsuya Nomura.

You’ll be able to change Lightning’s costume and costume color during the game.

Time is always flowing, except for when your menu is open on the field.

Every NPC’s whereabouts and actions will constantly change.

Certain information can only be obtained at specific times.

Lightning is the only playable character.

Lightning uses “Styles” in battle. Each Style consists of a certain weapon, shield, accessories, and abilities.

You can customize Lightning’s appearance and ability considerably.

By defeating monsters, Lightning can earn points to increase her available time, and items to strengthen her equipment.

The battle system name has not yet been determined. Right now, they’re calling it the “Amazing ATB” battle system. Rest assured, it’s tentative.

Though you’re only controlling one character, it feels as if you’re fighting with multiple, according to the mag.

Monsters appear even in the city.

Black haze will appear in specific areas at certain times. The new area will become monster territory.

Half of the game’s monsters are new.

The game’s conclusion can be experienced straight from the package. (No download content will need to be purchased afterward, unlike Final Fantasy XIII-2.)

Kitase guarantees you’ll be satisfied by the outcome of previous games’ characters’ stories.

http://gematsu.com/2012/12/lightning-returns-uses-the-amazing-atb-battle-system
 
Half of the game’s monsters pallette swaps of old ones.

The game’s conclusion can be experienced straight from the package. (No download content will need to be purchased afterward, unlike Final Fantasy XIII-2.) But we'll have downloadable schoolgirl outfits for Lightning.

Kitase guarantees you’ll (not)be satisfied by the outcome of previous games’ characters’ stories.

Fixed.
 

Verendus

Banned
What I meant is that both with Tidus and Vaan the common theme was to have a disconnected main character who can be easily introduced to things by people in the game's world, thus giving the player info about it all. Now, they succeeded with Tidus in this regard,but fell flat with Vaan.
I think the difference was that Tidus was a central part of the actual plot. So, even though he was being used as a viewpoint character in this new world, he was still a major part of the story due to his links to Jecht and Auron, as well as slowly falling in love with Yuna. I know some like to say Yuna is the main character, but she's not really. Tidus was a classic trope example and it was done right.

Vaan was just...there. Plus, he sucked. Balthier should have been the main character. He was the most interesting character in the game. All that would remain after that would be to fix the boring as watching paint dry story.
 

Mario007

Member
Thank you.

It's really embarassing how when someone calls out how non-eventful the story is in that game they just say "well its a mature political plot you don't get it".

NO.

Politics does not equal boring goddammit.

Glad I found someone who agrees as well. It's ridiculous when people mention good story and FFXII in the same sentence, or when they act like FFXIII was the first FF to drop the ball story-wise.

After the backlash they got, they won't dare do another sad ending.

Actually the ending was one of the best things about the game. Noel's "Serah!!!" was brilliant as well as him quickly realizing what he has done. The best thing about it, though, was that it wasn't a huge mindfuck sort of ending, but something that was very well foreshadowed through the game. It actually made sense, in a game where lots of things were explained by way of 'lol paradox'.

And that's why it's horrible that we have Lightning as the main focus over in this game again. Trust me, if this was FFXIII-3 with Noel going about trying to undo what he has done I'd be there day-one (and to be honest that story idea isn't even something that seems ridiculous, actually it would seem to follow quite well from the ending of FFXIII-2).

Well Kitase hasn't let me down ye-OH WAIT

To be fair to him, he seems to be very cautious about LR and seems to be trying to pretty much stress that we shouldn't expect a mainline FF type of experience from this title.

I think the difference was that Tidus was a central part of the actual plot. So, even though he was being used as a viewpoint character in this new world, he was still a major part of the story due to his links to Jecht and Auron, as well as slowly falling in love with Yuna. I know some like to say Yuna is the main character, but she's not really. Tidus was a classic trope example and it was done right.

Vaan was just...there. Plus, he sucked. Balthier should have been the main character. He was the most interesting character in the game. All that would remain after that would be to fix the boring as watching paint dry story.


Very good points and I would definitely agree. Tidus was definitely the main character for FFX, after all the first words of the game, and actually the first words ever to be spoken in Final Fantasy, are 'Listen to my story.' It may seem that Yuna has most of the attention during the game but that is up until when Tidus learns what he really is. After that Tidus pretty much drives it all forward.

Actually, I am just playing through FFX and I just get over how well it was made. The change in Tidus from the start of the game to when he's narrating in Zanarkand is remarkable and feels really natural.

I agree with Vaan just being there. Balthier should have been the main character and then you suddenly get a lot more interesting plot of him wanting to go against the stones from Occuria and against the madness of his father.
 

Perfo

Thirteen flew over the cuckoo's nest
Looks good. The game looks like it will have some solid depth to it. i do hope Noel's and Snow/ Serah's have satisfying endings.

I expect Caius and Noel to still play a big part in the story, especially the first one that is probably going to be the main rival for part of the game. I'm sure he sits like a King over his Throne dominating over Novus Partus. And being this the final part of the trilogy, expect a big reunion with all the protagonists for the final fight. This is Kingdom Hearts made by Toriyama afterall.
 

Stark

Banned
It's nice that you can change the color of your equipment. And nice we'll have satisfying endings for the other characters.

So Black Haze is Chaos, I'm guessing?
 

Mario007

Member
I expect Caius and Noel to still play a big part in the story, especially the first one that is probably going to be the main rival for part of the game. I'm sure he sits like a King over his Throne dominating over Novus Partus. And being this the final part of the trilogy, expect a big reunion with all the protagonists for the final fight. This is Kingdom Hearts made by Toriyama afterall.

Having Caiuss on a throne somewhere would go really against his character. He was in the whole fight simply to free Yuel, not to rule over some world. But I wouldn't put it past Toriyama to interpret the character that way as well.

Regarding the KH by Toriyama part, I completely agree. It says a lot about his writing qualities when KH's plot can actually be viewed as pretty standard when compared to Lightning Saga.
 

I'm an expert

Formerly worldrevolution. The only reason I am nice to anyone else is to avoid being banned.
Did 13-2 have some dlc that expanded the ending or something?
 

Mario007

Member
Did 13-2 have some dlc that expanded the ending or something?
Requiem for a Goddess.

It actually even seems to kinda have a similar battle system to what LR is shooting for. You only play as Lightning against Caiuss.

It doesn't really expand on the ending too much, but rather tells you why you saw Lightning in crystal at the end of of FFXII-2 (in a completely Toriyama way).

It's a fun DLC, though. It's only around 3 euro too and has probably the only scene in the whole series where you can buy that Serah and Lightning do care for each other.
 

I'm an expert

Formerly worldrevolution. The only reason I am nice to anyone else is to avoid being banned.
Requiem for a Goddess.

It actually even seems to kinda have a similar battle system to what LR is shooting for. You only play as Lightning against Caiuss.

It doesn't really expand on the ending too much, but rather tells you why you saw Lightning in crystal at the end of of FFXII-2 (in a completely Toriyama way).

It's a fun DLC, though. It's only around 3 euro too and has probably the only scene in the whole series where you can buy that Serah and Lightning do care for each other.

I don't really care that much, but you should spoiler any ending stuff if it's not something widely known.

Interesting though. Doubt I'll grab any dlc for it.
 

ULTROS!

People seem to like me because I am polite and I am rarely late. I like to eat ice cream and I really enjoy a nice pair of slacks.
Half of the game’s monsters are new.

I hope this is true. It felt like 99% of the monsters in XIII-2 were straight from XIII.

The game’s conclusion can be experienced straight from the package. (No download content will need to be purchased afterward, unlike Final Fantasy XIII-2.)

I guess they think DLC probably bit them in the ass in XIII-2? Unless that generated lots of money.
 

Bladenic

Member
I hope this is true. It felt like 99% of the monsters in XIII-2 were straight from XIII.



I guess they think DLC probably bit them in the ass in XIII-2? Unless that generated lots of money.

The thing is, I think XIII-2 did have new monsters, but they were mere palette swaps (save for very few). That's why I'm not buying into that monster comment till we actually see new designs.
 

Stark

Banned
The thing is, I think XIII-2 did have new monsters, but they were mere palette swaps (save for very few). That's why I'm not buying into that monster comment till we actually see new designs.

We actually did see some new designs from the presentation. Also shown in screenshots.
 

Bladenic

Member
We actually did see some new designs from the presentation. Also shown in screenshots.

Right, but XIII-2 showed us that new monster in those first trailers, and that was about it for new monsters. Not saying they're lying, but until we play the game and there are a lot of new monsters, I won't fall for it.
 

Stark

Banned
Right, but XIII-2 showed us that new monster in those first trailers, and that was about it for new monsters. Not saying they're lying, but until we play the game and there are a lot of new monsters, I won't fall for it.

Oh, I thought you didn't see any of that with what you said so just wanted to point it out. My bad, haha.

I agree though, I hope they dominate more so.
 

Fuu

Formerly Alaluef (not Aladuf)
Any chance they're including the one-time bosses when they talk about new monster designs?
 

Goli

Member
Having Caiuss on a throne somewhere would go really against his character. He was in the whole fight simply to free Yuel, not to rule over some world. But I wouldn't put it past Toriyama to interpret the character that way as well.

Regarding the KH by Toriyama part, I completely agree. It says a lot about his writing qualities when KH's plot can actually be viewed as pretty standard when compared to Lightning Saga.

Caius loves sitting on thrones and musing about things though. See FFXIII-2 secret ending, et cetera.

All I saw was a Behemoth pallette swap and those dark balls from Kingdom Hearts with fur added to them.

I guess there was that red dragon design.

Those dark balls thingies are basically microchus, so I don't think they count as new.
 

Kagari

Crystal Bearer
The Kitase guarantee, eh?
I'm sure the story will be just as amazing as the previous two were based on the dialogue in the trailer/rollseyes

Sorry Kitase but I'll believe it when I see it. The ending will probably be some melodramatic garbage once again. At least it won't be another stupid cliffhanger.
 
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