Square Enix have announced the final chapter in the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy with the release of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII.
The game was announced during an event marking the 25th anniversary of the Final Fantasy franchise. Square Enix have said that the game will wrap up the ‘Lightning Saga’ which has affected the story in FF XIII and FF XIII-2.
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The game is described as the epic final installment in the trilogy in which Lightning will face her final battle. Lightning Returns looks set return to similar game-play from earlier Final Fantasy games. Players will directly control Lightning in a "constantly moving and expansive environment".
The game will allow gamers more freedom to explore and offer a more open adventure. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XII seems to have taken inspiration from 'The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask.' The central quest in the game is to save a doomed world from complete destruction. The game also shares another similarity to Majoras Mask. In Lightning Returns it has been confirmed that ‘certain areas, missions, and people will only be available during selected periods of time.
Players will have to choose how to spend their final days in the game. Gamers will also be able to customise their character with a large range of different outfits and weapons. These will not only affect her appearance but her actions and abilities. Lightning will have a range of techniques for battles and exploring the environment.
In Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XII, combat will receive an overhaul with a new battle system. Players will be given a level of direct control that was unavailable in previous Final Fantasy games. However Square Enix have promised that the game will retain classic gameplay elements from earlier games. "We are excited to see how fans react to the more direct battle system and expansive environment that can be explored at will" said producer Yoshinori Kitase.
Interestingly Square Enix have stated that in the game players will be able to stay connected to Final Fantasy and its characters, with unique features that link the in-game world to the real world. The games director, Motomu Toriyama commented that:
“Increased levels of player freedom, customisation and connectivity with the real world, will ensure that this concluding chapter will be an exhilarating finale to Lightning’s story.”
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is due for release in 2013. The game will be released on the PS3 and Xbox 360. For more information about the game visit the official site at: www.finalfantasy13game.com/lightningreturns
