Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

Square Enix have announced another sequel to Final Fantasy XIII...(But its not what you think)

Okay it is what you think but still its different to what we initially expected. Instead of conforming to expectations, Square Enix have announced a new title for the Final Fantasy XIII series called 'Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII'. So yes, its what we've expected, another sequel to FFXIII (which some will groan and shake their heads to whilst others will draw a smiley face). But its not called Final Fantasy XIII-3 and the experience of the game sounds completely different to what we've experienced to either XIII or XIII-2.

                     The logo for the announced entry to the ongoing tale of bloody cocoon and pulse etc.

So is it a sequel or spin off?

Well in a way it is a sequel in terms of it takes place hundreds of years later after XIII-2. But its being considered as a spin-off due to the title and the departure in terms of game play. Only time will tell. In a way some gamers are interested with the many changes involved for this game its brought hope. For me I would love a conclusion to the cliffhanger of XIII-2 but I guess only time will tell.

The plot of the story according to wikipedia is so far:

"Several hundred years following the ending of Final Fantasy XIII-2, Lightning awakens on a chain of islands known as Novus Partus, floating in the Sea of Chaos. The sprawling islands serve as a last refuge for humanity and the world which was Pulse, while the new Cocoon hovers in the sky above. With only thirteen days left until the world ends,Lightning must fight to save it"

Novus Partus is Latin for 'New Births' which is certainly the feeling we're getting from all the images and gameplay description given so far. 

So what do we know so far?

-The story takes place 100 years after XIII-2 finishes in a world, Novus Partus a world made up of four islands connected by a monorail in what's being described as a 'gothical, mechanical and fantasy' style. 

-Lightning will need to save the world in 13 days in real-time. Quests and missions can reverse the clock that counts down to Doomsday. Upon hearing this it sounds like L save the world a bit if your familiar with the Death Note series.

- Gameplay will depart from the previous two entries in terms of the ATB system. Lighting can finally be moved by the game player, able to attack, block in real time without the use of a menu. So goodbye pressing automatic x button that decides the whole entire gameplay.

-Character customization ~ So Lightning's costume can be changed altering her battle techniques and so forth. The image below shows a few of the ways Lightning's costume will change.

                                              Spot the difference puzzles!!!! Huzzah! ^^

- Time will play a huge role in this entry as well. Lightning will be able to use moves such as 'Overclock' to slow down time during a fight. This will be interesting to see how it plays out.

- Worlds will interchange between day and night as time passes. (I guess to give that feeling that Doomsday is approaching but its a great extra to the game)

- Lightning will be the only main character. So to those who hate her. I'm so sorry but you'd better skip this entry. (For those of you wanting to see Noel or Serah or that cute moogle forget it me thinks)

-It will be the last entry to the Lightning Saga (I think)

-The game will be released some point in 2013.

- More details to be released on September 4th so watch out!

                                                       'The World of Novus Partus Artwork'

No news on Final Fantasy Versus XIII

Square Enix have kindly requested their fans that they're being impatient and to wait for the game alittle longer. I mean honestly final fantasy fans. It's not like you've been waiting six years. What's another year or two to add to the wait? :) The only statement released being:

"I talked to Hashimoto-san about various things. It seems that Versus XIII won't be at TGS. They are concentrating all their resources into the conclusion of the Lightning saga and FFXIV"

You know Square Enix. If Noctis was your son to be born unto the gameplaying world and Lightning is your daughter. All I got to say is you've done a terrible job in showing love is not biased. Sorry Noctis. Lightning needs another story rehashed out the bag. You got to wait.

"BUT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR SIX YEAR!"

"Sorry but we need to focus on Lightning, she's got something special happening"

Regardless of that. Forget Versus XIII. Until there's a release date, pretend its on holiday. Put it on the back of your mind.

On top of that no Type-0 has been released overseas. So no change there as well.

In the meantime enjoy some more teasing of concept art of Noctis. 

To conclude...

Good news for Lightning Fans. Not so good news for people expecting other news. 

Adieu

TokyoDreamer9

Final Fantasy Versus XIII Cancelled Rumour

My thoughts on FFVERSUSXIII being canned 

First things first, I honestly believe this is just a rumour. I have my reasons which I will start saying in a moment. For those who don't know what Final Fantasy Versus XIII, you must be fairly new to the world of RPG gaming or been living under a rock if you've played Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts or any Square Enix related game. The game was first announced in 2006, a ridiculous time to announce a game that had just began development. Since then, only trailers and teasers have been released with no demo or gameplay tried. Since then Final Fantasy XIII has been released, Final Fantasy Agito has been renamed to Type-0 and also released (although a western release is still lacking) and also a sequel to XIII and a highly likely third sequel to be announced September 1st 2012 by the looks of things.

 The logo for Final Fantasy Versus XIII is highly fitting, a game that's gone to developmental sleep

Why I think Versus XIII has not been canned:

1. Six years of development time and teasing. With that amount of time, energy and costs that's like wasting 3 hours making an extravagant cake and then giving up before putting the dough mixture into the oven. I'm using a poor analogy but its just ridiculous. I was 13 years old when Versus XIII was first shown and now 19. Talk about waiting for a bus that was never going to make an apperance. 

2. If Versus XIII has been cancelled, what is Square Enix going to do with all that free time. Work on that pitiful excuse of Final Fantasy XIV. No matter how hard they try to improve it, the damage is done. First impressions are what stick with people. Final Fantasy XIV might be good now, heck it might be perfect but people will still think its bad from their first impressions. Also Tetsuya Nomura noted that Kingdom Hearts III would be started when Versus XIII was complete. No word on that either as of yet, which suggests Versus is still in development.

3. A scam~ Kotaku magazine reported this rumour apparently from credible sources. First of all, a lot of people are dying and also impatient to see Versus XIII. This rumour of it being cancelled could be a way of trying to make Square Enix make some sort of announcement about the game or leak some details about it in a hope to reassure fans resulting in details of the game being shown. Which will not work because S.E. are not the type to spill the beans. Gaming magazines are also like tabloids in the sense, they need to fill their pages with rumours and gossip about latest games which most of the time is not true and also to keep readership rates high.

4. Square Enix have a lot to lose by canning this game. Not a lot of fans were impressed with Final Fantasy XIII and didn't stick around for XIII-2. For some XIII-2 was a kick in the face when they specifically requested Versus XIII. Ask Square Enix for chocolate icecream, oh hello vanilla icecream which I didn't ask for. A lot is at stake with this game in terms of Final Fantasy's brand with some of Square Enix staff admitting that FF has been going downhill lately. 

Stella: Noctis have you heard? Noctis: What? Stella: We've apparently become vapourware, our story shall never be told. (sad face) Noctis: I don't give two sh***

There is a chance it could have become vapourware...

Some people are saying if this is true, Square Enix have transferred the content to Final Fantasy XV for a fresh start. One friend of mine called Kaerith, thought this was a wise move seeing the number XIII being damaged by the title Final Fantasy XIII. But I don't like it for two reasons.

1. Final Fantasy Versus XIII was made initially to be a darker Final Fantasy game with blood and violence with gameplay being inspired by Kingdom Hearts. It doesn't feel like a main entry game to me and shouldn't be treated as such and also goes against what Square Enix said initially about the game's concept and it being part of the Fabula Crystallis whatever the heck it was called.

2. Final Fantasy XV should be a brand new game, not something rehashed out of pure laziness that you've been teasing fans for about six years. Its rude and just gah rant over.

"WHAT!!!! NO FFVERSUS XIII!!!! Men I order you to KILL SQUARE ENIX!"

September Square Enix conference 2012

September 2012 is when a lot of new things are going to get announced, including by the looks of things, a Final Fantasy XIII third sequel. I really hope Square Enix release details about Versus XIII because not to be frank but this is beyond ridiculous. Six years and only two trailers and a teaser. If they don't contradict the rumours, it will not do a lot of good for the final fantasy franchise. Other than that, fingers crossed this game has not been canned but I'm not holding my breath for news on it, Type-0 held my breath and passed out and its still not here.

 Vanille is very sad about Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Type-0 not being released as of yet. OH WELL! There's always Final Fantasy XIII-3?!

Dark Cloud 3

Level-5 on making Dark Cloud 3 or is it just a dream?

For those of you who don't know Level-5. Level-5 is a Japanese video game developer that has made some of the most amazing and well received RPGs that compete with Square Enix. Videogames they have published include Dark Cloud, Dark Cloud 2 (Dark Chronicle in Europe), Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King, Rogue Galaxy, Professor Layton Series, White Knight Chronicles and now recently they have collaborated with Studio Ghibli, the anime studio behind classics such as Spirited Away and my Neighbor Totoro to produce Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.

Back in 2009, when discussing about White Knight Chronicles, the CEO developer Akihiro Hino was asked about a sequel to Dark Cloud series and said the company would consider it if enough of the community asked for it. Now straight away I sent an email, signed a petition you name it. But I do wonder if they are giving us false hope. No matter how many times I sign up to facebook groups, sign petitions, send emails requesting the game- nothing. What is with game developers not interested in providing the game a fan wants. I understand that they want to explore down other paths and try new things but would it actually hurt to make something for the fans just once.

                             Dark Cloud 2~ One of the most underrated PlayStation 2 games ever

Remakes that publishers do not wish to do e.g. Final Fantasy VII

Other examples I'm thinking of publishers not wishing to remake or release sequels is Square Enix. And I'm thinking in particular to Final Fantasy VII. Unlike Dark Cloud, Final Fantasy is a lot more successful and more heard of, Final Fantasy VII has sold so many units and regardless of what many people think is considered the most popular entry in the series to date. And yet for so many reasons even after millions of requests Square Enix will still not consider a sequel, only leaving hints, teasers and the lot that developers continually do. 

I know why Square Enix cannot make Final Fantasy VII, a lot is at stake in terms of development time, destroying the classic per chance and making the fan community angry etc etc etc. But going back to Level-5, a lot of these reasons are not in place. The only reason I can think of is that they themselves what to leave Dark Cloud behind. I'm saying this because I'm tired of all this waiting.

Even Dirge of Cerberus ended on a cliffhanger, what happens next?

Waiting?

I'm tired of waiting for:

Dark Cloud 3

Kingdom Hearts 3

Final Fantasy VII remake

Final Fantasy Versus XIII

I'm even tired of waiting for Final Fantasy Type-0 to be released in the west even after promises of it happening. In short, I wish game developers would stop giving their fans false hope and either say yes or no to a sequel or remake. How about all of you? Are you tired of waiting? Are there games you wish could see the light of day, heck even a HD remaster or have you moved on a long time ago?

Regardless of time, I continue to wait for these titles but when I remember them after so long I do honestly why it hasn't happened as of yet. 

TokyoDreamer9

Twitter~ Is it pointless or not?

My wonderful friend Kaerith first introduced me to twitter in the year me believes of 2010 or posssibly 2009. Kaerith loves to roleplay on twitter as characters from the Final Fantasy series for fun. Roleplaying on twitter, how do I describe it. Well you pretend to be a character from a series. So for example pretend I'm roleplaying Postman Pat on twitter and discussing with Bob the Builder about the weather but it has to be in Postman's character. Not mine, so for example:


Postman_Pat: @Bob_Build Good Morning Bob! Here's you're post. *cough*

Bob_Build: @Postman_Pat Oh Hey Pat! Didn't cya there! Fine morning we're having!

In reply to Bob_Build, Postman_Pat replies: @Bob_Build *mumbles* gotta deliver more letters you nitwit T.T

In reply to Postman_Pat, Bob_Build replied: @Postman_Pat Cheerios mate (assho***).


So that's twitter roleplaying for you in a punch. Now I joined it and roleplayed a random character from a series called Hell Girl which proved completely unsuccessful. Final Fantasy being a very popular and well known series is more easier to roleplay in. So twitter became very silly and pointless for me. It made no sense for me. What on earth was @ for? And why did  people use a hashtag like this # followed by a word? What on earth did RT mean? And why did people talk very cryptically and as though they're not having a conversation but spouting out nonsense. I gave up twitter and left my account to gather dust.

Time passed and at the end of 2011 I decided to change my twitter account from a roleplaying one to one that was me as real person so from a random character it became Yours Truly. After getting an ipod touch and downloading twitter as an App, it somehow became more enjoyable. It felt like texting but with no worry of spending credit. I began to understand all those acronyms and technical terms. RT means retweet. The hashtag is used to show your tweet in the trends for that word. You use @ to direct a tweet towards someone. And then that's when I discoved it. You can tweet to celebrities. Yes, they don't reply, and you can kind of see why after searching @celebrity's name to see that tweets of 50 directed towards that celebrity pop up every 10 seconds. But it feels so good to say thankyou for something or appreciate something they've done.

Another reason I began to like Twitter was that unlike Facebook, I could talk about rubbish without irritating people on Facebook. When you update your status update quite a number of times on facebook, people don't like it, it spams the newsfeed and they'd rather hear from other people than just you. And also some people don't know you can alter settings to restrict how many posts you receive from a person.

So yes, you can tweet rubbish, crazy things, blow steam and the best thing is it's like social dieting. On facebook your status update can be quite a long status update, whilst Twitter restricts you to only tweet with 140 characters. At first, when using it, this sounds ridiculous but you get used to it over time and it also helps you get to the point quicker. Have you ever found that you can go on and on and on with a status update, whilst in Twitter, you just say what's on your mind and BAM your done.

My last reason for beginning to like Twitter and finally understanding it's reason for exsisting is a personal reason. Facebook became such a hassle recently, as well as drama, annoying people and constant pestering it can sometimes become too much and also addictive, there are times where you realize your just on Facebook wasting time. After deactivating my account and using Twitter it feels good for alot of reasons.

Reason 1. Less people use twitter because they think it's stupid. So less people hassle you, less drama on there. (unless all your friends use twitter I am so sorry for saying that, you find that reason doesn't apply to you).

Reason 2. You can't use Twitter for very long periods like Facebook, you do eventually have enough of tweeting, so it doesn't become addictive like Facebook. In other words, you spend time doing other things.

And finally, I like Twitter, for this reason too. He hasn't appeared in awhile. But for those of you who don't know meet 'The Fail Whale' :)

Whenever Twitter becomes over-capacity, our wonderful friend the 'Fail Whale' greets us to tell us tweeting just isn't possible :D Oh isn't life just amusing on social network sites. XDDDDD