As part of the promotional cycle for the upcoming Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, Square Enix has been giving gamers an inside look at the title through a series of developer diaries. Entitled “Inside The Square,” these diaries are allowing us to take a peak at the development of the game and get a glimpse at its exciting new features.
Narrated by Ali Hillis, Lightning herself, this latest video gives viewers a look at the ‘Doomsday Clock’ and how it will affect the storyline, environments and various characters. Apparently, when you return to certain locations, such as a shop or restaurant, they will look completely different from how they looked the previous time you were there. Furthermore, locations that may have been safe at one point in time may be overrun with enemies the next time you stop in. Lightning Returns also runs on its own 24-hour clock that will allow for different gameplay opportunities to arise.
In addition to showing off the ‘Doomsday Clock’, this new video showcases the revamped battle system and how it differentiates itself from both Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII-2. The biggest change to the combat system for Lightning Returns seems to be the greater focus on control of one specific character. By allowing gamers more control over Lightning, Square Enix is opening up additional options and techniques for players to experiment with.
Anytime a new Final Fantasy entry is released it’s kind of a big deal, and Lightning Returns is no different. I understand that people may be getting sick of this world and these characters, but I think there’s enough gamers out there who still want to see this story to its conclusion.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII will be releasing on February 11th for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. We will continue to have coverage of the title in the lead-up to its release, but for now, why not take a look at the video posted below and let us know what you think in the comments section.
Also in case you missed them, here are parts one and two of “Inside The Square”