------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 12 Fan Meeting
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site updated: http://www.square-enix.co.jp/fabula/ff13-2/
fields and wallpapers, nothing new except:
key art #2
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/fabula/ff13-2/vfd43bu0dp2n/images/l9p9701z.jpg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 10 Fan Meeting
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
duckroll:
andriasang:
Pics from the event:
http://www.famitsu.com/news/201109/11050005.html
http://www.i-mezzo.net/log/2011/09/11000535.html
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 8 Historia Crux System
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you've completed FINAL FANTASY XIII you will know that Lightning manages to save her sister, Serah, from her crystallised form and save the world with the help of her friends. Since then Lightning has left the world of Cocoon and Pulse behind her and become the protector to the Goddess Etro in Valhalla, the land of Chaos.
Through her journey Lightning has become incredibly strong and is currently fighting her own battles in Valhalla, against the mysterious purple-clad character whom you should remember from the initial announcement trailer. Lightning is unable to leave Valhalla and leave Etro at the mercy of the enemy and so she asks Noel for his help.
This is where the game kicks off - with a meteor landing near the home of Serah and the rest of Team NORA, which heralds the arrival of Noel and the opening of paths across time. "Come with me across the boundaries of time", Noel says. "Your sister is waiting".
Interview with Motomu Toriyama
Could you give us an overview of what the Historia Crux is and how it works?
The Historia Crux is a new gameplay system that functions like a compass for time travel. As the portal which allows the player to select areas and time periods to go to, it functions a bit like a home menu and is at the heart of the story and gameplay progression of FINAL FANTASY XIII-2. The player can enjoy travelling through time by freely choosing between all the time-space locations where gates have been opened up. Although these locations proceed onwards into the future, you also have the option of rewinding time so it will be possible to experience many different historical possibilities.
What specific fan feedback are you trying to respond to with the Historia Crux?
The original game, FINAL FANTASY XIII, was primarily story driven and progressed in a very linear manner. For the sequel, FINAL FANTASY XIII-2, we are going for a much more player driven concept, so this time around the gameplay and story itself will alter to fit the players choices. You will be able to freely come and go between all the areas; the game will provide not just simple environmental exploration, but also a multi-layered exploration of history through the Historia Crux.
How does the Historia Crux affect the gameplay in FINAL FANTASY XIII-2?
The Historia Crux branches off into multiple different routes depending on the players choices. You will be able to take a detour into areas that have branched off of the route you have taken, perform side missions and turn back time in each of the areas to experiment with all possibilities. It is of course also possible to progress simply following the main story, like in the original FINAL FANTASY XIII. The flow of areas accessible via Historia Crux has been structured so that all of the players actions and decisions will influence the gameplay.
Casual players will be able to use the Historia Crux in a similar manner to browsing a favourite website picking and choosing between all the different links available. It also contains elements aimed at more dedicated gamers, allowing for more challenging play through encouraging exploration of all the different times and places; to find additional secrets including the multiple endings that are hidden in the different routes.
Many fans have been longing for an explorable World Map for a while. Do you feel that the Historia Crux is a good alternative?
The Historia Crux divides the world into multiple layers, overlapping with the different time periods that can be played with the feeling of jumping freely around several world maps. This is a completely new system and experience, so it cannot be unconditionally compared with other options; however, when considering the key concept of player freedom, I believe it to be an optimal system for combining the best parts of open-world style games with the story-driven aspects of FINAL FANTASY XIII. The player can adjust their play style to either delve deeply into everything available and be engrossed, or just make more straightforward choices while going along their adventure.
Is it possible to share more information on how the Historia Crux allows for sidequests and hidden objects to feature in the game?
In the original game, the sidequests were only unlocked in the second half of the story in Gran Pulse, but in the sequel we have put in many different sidequests right from the start. Due to the overwhelming demand from players of the original, we have also included many strong and colourful mini games, a tradition of the FINAL FANTASY series. You will be able to return to any of the times and places whenever you like from the Historia Crux, so it is completely up to the player in what way they choose to play these.
Is it possible to change events that happen in the future depending on your actions in the past?
Depending on the players actions, new turning points to new futures will appear in time, and these will certainly form the basis for the multiple endings.
This is the first time time travel has featured so prominently in a FINAL FANTASY game, is this something you'd like to explore more in future games?
For the FINAL FANTASY series, each game has its own new game system, so it is not as if we are intending on making time travel key to all future instalments. We want fans to look forward to each FINAL FANTASY having its own unique system. For FINAL FANTASY XIII-2, we are experimenting with carrying out repeated large scale user tests to reflect the opinions of users in the game itself. We really have received a lot of feedback about the game, but among the voices there are those who say it reminds them of the classic RPG, CHRONO TRIGGER. For FINAL FANTASY XIII-2, we are aiming to make time travel a major thematic direction, and be able to express this on high-end game machines.
Will we be meeting older/younger versions of FINAL FANTASY XIII characters as we travel through time?
The main characters from the original FINAL FANTASY XIII will show up in this journey through time, so we will see them in many different situations and guises. I am sure that the fans of the original will be looking forward to seeing them again and how they have changed over the years!
Is it possible to return to time periods you've already visited and replay them as if its your first time you have visited the area?
It will be possible to wind back time in each of the areas you visit and replay them. Character levels and equipment etc will be carried over so it will be possible to play the game as if doing a New Game+ for each of the areas at different times. It will be possible to play through from the start using your levelled up characters, once you have completed the game. We have taken care to put a number of elements into the game system to make replays more exciting and user-friendly.
PAX 2011 Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q8h81O6ZXg
Source:
http://t.co/LM2OhD6
http://t.co/Agb9zTQ
http://t.co/oDPOYHw
September 12 Fan Meeting
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Site updated: http://www.square-enix.co.jp/fabula/ff13-2/
fields and wallpapers, nothing new except:
key art #2
http://www.square-enix.co.jp/fabula/ff13-2/vfd43bu0dp2n/images/l9p9701z.jpg
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 10 Fan Meeting
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
duckroll:
- It refers to the "blood damage" system which they showcased. When you receive damage from enemies, sometimes the damage is blood damage, which reduces your maximum HP for that battle. I don't play Monster Hunter, but many of the blogs and impressions refer to it as a system which seems inspired by the Monster Hunter series.
- Chocobo is just one of the monster types you can have in your party as the monster member. They showed off 2 new monster types at the event today: Chocobo (Attacker) and Cat Sith (Healer). All monster types which you can recruit (150+ in all) have their own special attacks. There's a bar which builds up during the battle,and when it's full they can pull off a special attack with on screen QTE prompts. Chocobo does the Chocobo Kick, and Cat Sith does the Neko Punch.
andriasang:
- Tokyo Game Show may also be the revealing grounds for the identity of the mysterious man who was shown in a confrontation in Valhalla with Lightning during the game's first trailer earlier this year. Square Enix's PR department said to expect this info from next week's big event as well.
- Asked if they're looking into releasing download content, producer Yoshinori Kitase asked a PR person "Is it okay if I say?" but was denied permission, so he instead said that they're actively looking into it.
- Asked if we'll get a limited edition, Kitase said they're "really actively looking into it."
- If you have your XIII save data, you'll get some bonuses in XIII-2.
- As previously announced, XIII-2 has a monster raising component. Your characters are built up using a new growth system like the Crystarium system from the original. Your monsters have their own growth system which is similar to this.
- You'll find over 150 monster types in the game. They all have unique inputs for performing their special skills, so those who aren't too good with action games can select a monster with simple controls.
- In XIII, you could only ride Chocobos in the Gran Pulse world. In XIII-2, you can ride them anywhere. However, you won't have access to Chocobos at the start of the game. You'll gain access at a point where it starts to be difficult to move around with ease.
- The game will have a red Chocobo. Toriyama says that this will be a unique Chocobo amongst the series' Chocobos.
- That Moogle Serah uses as a weapon and as a means of grabbing items items is from Lightning's world. He's come to help Serah.
- The "Fragments" shown in last week's screenshots of the game's time travel interface are part of a quest system. You get them from NPCs and can attempt to clear the related quest. You'll start to encounter these fragments right from the game's first chapter.
- Asked about the game's length, Toriyama explained that just looking at the story volume, it's a bit shorter than XIII. However, there are all sorts of additional play elements this time, including the time travel, the fragments, and lots of mini games.
- It was already announced that most of the characters from XIII will appear in XIII-2. We'll get an introduction to some of those characters at TGS. Some of the characters will be playable (not necessarily at TGS, but playable in the game).
- Serah and Snow are not yet married, and Snow apparently has a good reason for this. In the final version of the game, we'll get the full word on the current status of their relationship.
- Development on XIII-2 is currently at 90%. The game has been in development for a little over one and a half years, according to Kitase.
Pics from the event:
http://www.famitsu.com/news/201109/11050005.html
http://www.i-mezzo.net/log/2011/09/11000535.html
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 8 Historia Crux System
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you've completed FINAL FANTASY XIII you will know that Lightning manages to save her sister, Serah, from her crystallised form and save the world with the help of her friends. Since then Lightning has left the world of Cocoon and Pulse behind her and become the protector to the Goddess Etro in Valhalla, the land of Chaos.
Through her journey Lightning has become incredibly strong and is currently fighting her own battles in Valhalla, against the mysterious purple-clad character whom you should remember from the initial announcement trailer. Lightning is unable to leave Valhalla and leave Etro at the mercy of the enemy and so she asks Noel for his help.
This is where the game kicks off - with a meteor landing near the home of Serah and the rest of Team NORA, which heralds the arrival of Noel and the opening of paths across time. "Come with me across the boundaries of time", Noel says. "Your sister is waiting".
Interview with Motomu Toriyama
Could you give us an overview of what the Historia Crux is and how it works?
The Historia Crux is a new gameplay system that functions like a compass for time travel. As the portal which allows the player to select areas and time periods to go to, it functions a bit like a home menu and is at the heart of the story and gameplay progression of FINAL FANTASY XIII-2. The player can enjoy travelling through time by freely choosing between all the time-space locations where gates have been opened up. Although these locations proceed onwards into the future, you also have the option of rewinding time so it will be possible to experience many different historical possibilities.
What specific fan feedback are you trying to respond to with the Historia Crux?
The original game, FINAL FANTASY XIII, was primarily story driven and progressed in a very linear manner. For the sequel, FINAL FANTASY XIII-2, we are going for a much more player driven concept, so this time around the gameplay and story itself will alter to fit the players choices. You will be able to freely come and go between all the areas; the game will provide not just simple environmental exploration, but also a multi-layered exploration of history through the Historia Crux.
How does the Historia Crux affect the gameplay in FINAL FANTASY XIII-2?
The Historia Crux branches off into multiple different routes depending on the players choices. You will be able to take a detour into areas that have branched off of the route you have taken, perform side missions and turn back time in each of the areas to experiment with all possibilities. It is of course also possible to progress simply following the main story, like in the original FINAL FANTASY XIII. The flow of areas accessible via Historia Crux has been structured so that all of the players actions and decisions will influence the gameplay.
Casual players will be able to use the Historia Crux in a similar manner to browsing a favourite website picking and choosing between all the different links available. It also contains elements aimed at more dedicated gamers, allowing for more challenging play through encouraging exploration of all the different times and places; to find additional secrets including the multiple endings that are hidden in the different routes.
Many fans have been longing for an explorable World Map for a while. Do you feel that the Historia Crux is a good alternative?
The Historia Crux divides the world into multiple layers, overlapping with the different time periods that can be played with the feeling of jumping freely around several world maps. This is a completely new system and experience, so it cannot be unconditionally compared with other options; however, when considering the key concept of player freedom, I believe it to be an optimal system for combining the best parts of open-world style games with the story-driven aspects of FINAL FANTASY XIII. The player can adjust their play style to either delve deeply into everything available and be engrossed, or just make more straightforward choices while going along their adventure.
Is it possible to share more information on how the Historia Crux allows for sidequests and hidden objects to feature in the game?
In the original game, the sidequests were only unlocked in the second half of the story in Gran Pulse, but in the sequel we have put in many different sidequests right from the start. Due to the overwhelming demand from players of the original, we have also included many strong and colourful mini games, a tradition of the FINAL FANTASY series. You will be able to return to any of the times and places whenever you like from the Historia Crux, so it is completely up to the player in what way they choose to play these.
Is it possible to change events that happen in the future depending on your actions in the past?
Depending on the players actions, new turning points to new futures will appear in time, and these will certainly form the basis for the multiple endings.
This is the first time time travel has featured so prominently in a FINAL FANTASY game, is this something you'd like to explore more in future games?
For the FINAL FANTASY series, each game has its own new game system, so it is not as if we are intending on making time travel key to all future instalments. We want fans to look forward to each FINAL FANTASY having its own unique system. For FINAL FANTASY XIII-2, we are experimenting with carrying out repeated large scale user tests to reflect the opinions of users in the game itself. We really have received a lot of feedback about the game, but among the voices there are those who say it reminds them of the classic RPG, CHRONO TRIGGER. For FINAL FANTASY XIII-2, we are aiming to make time travel a major thematic direction, and be able to express this on high-end game machines.
Will we be meeting older/younger versions of FINAL FANTASY XIII characters as we travel through time?
The main characters from the original FINAL FANTASY XIII will show up in this journey through time, so we will see them in many different situations and guises. I am sure that the fans of the original will be looking forward to seeing them again and how they have changed over the years!
Is it possible to return to time periods you've already visited and replay them as if its your first time you have visited the area?
It will be possible to wind back time in each of the areas you visit and replay them. Character levels and equipment etc will be carried over so it will be possible to play the game as if doing a New Game+ for each of the areas at different times. It will be possible to play through from the start using your levelled up characters, once you have completed the game. We have taken care to put a number of elements into the game system to make replays more exciting and user-friendly.
PAX 2011 Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q8h81O6ZXg
Source:
http://t.co/LM2OhD6
http://t.co/Agb9zTQ
http://t.co/oDPOYHw
