“If I were to describe the gameplay,” said Yoshinori Kitase, producer of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII said, “I’d say that there are some elements [in Lightning Returns] with the severity of [a game like] Dark Souls.” Oh, crap. Considering I was never able to clear Dark Souls, that’s not very reassuring.
We’ve already heard a lot is different in the game system of Lightning Returns compared with the previous two chapters in the FFXIII trilogy. The game is more open-world, the combat is solo with a stagger mechanic, and there’s an in-game 13-day time limit. But time, as it turns out, isn’t the only limiting factor.
In an interview with Weekly Famitsu, Kitase and director Motomu Toriyama said that there are a limited number of slots for items you can carry in the game which adds an element of inventory management. Also, combat does not yield experience points or money, so while you can go to inns to heal up, you might not want to resort to that option unless you really need it. “Thinking economically is very important in this game!” said Toriyama.
So, not only will the world end in a limited time — during which you have to run around and fight alone against monsters and former allies — but you also have to watch your purse strings and how much you can carry? Is this Final Fantasy or Resident Evil?
Oh, and that time limit of 13 days? You actually start out with only seven, but can extend it up to 13 days by completing missions.
Currently, the game has been completed to the point where it is possible to play from beginning to end and the developers are tweaking the game balance. Hopefully they’ll make the game as fun as it sounds difficult, if not easier (or at least add a difficulty setting).
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is scheduled for release on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in Japan on November 21 and in Australia on February 13, 2014.
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9 responses to “Lightning Returns Producer Compares The Game To Dark Souls”
God dammit Square, I try so hard to like you, but youre making it difficult. 3 month gap between local/international release is pretty poor form for a major publisher these days, (being Japanese isnt an excuse anymore.) Not to mention the disappointment of finding out the next game in your flagship series is a retrofit of a spin off that never saw release….
Stop hurting me! I just want to love you! Boooo hooo hoooooooo!!
I’ll believe it when I see it
I’m hoping they’ll use the FF13 cast to good effect. While Lightning is the star, I really want to see more of the group, not just Cameos.
I’m also hoping Sahz’s four-year-old son, Dahj will be a secret boss.
Will it be like Dark Souls in that people will struggle to finish it, but in this case because the story and gameplay are crap rather than because it’s a tough game that rewards you?
“Hey guys, this game is like that other game you like, uh” *Glances at card in hand* “Dark….souls? Uh, yeah! This game is like that! You guys like that, right!? Then you’ll totally like this, because it’s like that! You know, Damp Souls, I mean Dark Souls! Please buy our game…. please. Please please please! We’re not creatively bankrupt anymore! We’re like the dark soup game! Please! I have kids to feed!”
Exactly.
Heck, Dark Smells is the best ever!
I am extremely excited for this game, however a tenuous comparisson to Drak Souls is not an easy statement to defend.
Also,
The first two ’13’ games had a difficulty setting, so it is likely that LR will too.
First I’ve heard of the 13 hour limit, which is kind of refreshing considering I spend about 10 days in FF7 doing nothing but farming, side quests while an asteroid was bearing down on the planet.
Hmm, not sure I like that you dont get experience or money from killing monsters. That was really the only thing I liked about 13 1 and 2, was switching off and just fighting/farming. Hopefully, they do something else to spice up the experience, cause the story sure won’t.
I can’t imagine an rpg without experience.