Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

[The Twilight Mexican]

I get you. She's been talking like a robot since the opening of XIII-2. Hopefully, we get normal Lightning back soon.

 

[Mwynn]

I get you. She's been talking like a robot since the opening of XIII-2. Hopefully, we get normal Lightning back soon.

This. It's hard to judge from what they released so far, but seeing her sarcastic side again (which she never showed ever in XIII-2 because Warrior Goddess this and that) is a good sign.

Also.

I'm still having a hard time dealing with Hope being physically a kid again. I know that it would be quite entertaining to see a very mature Hope inside a kid's body acting around but I feel like they were clearly avoiding... something. Not saying this because I am a shipper of the two (okay maybe partly) but I wanted to see his growth in the last game as a grown man. Ok, we are going to see that since he's just a kid in appearance, but ugh darn it. Lazy much and protective of your waifu, huh Toriyama.

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

Mayhap there's a lot more to that story yet. But, yeah, if he's going to stay that way, it will be disappointing.

 

[Kuja9001]

I wish that they'd hire a new localization/translation team because everytime I think about XIII/XIII-2, I think about how much of the games are lost in translation and that irritates me.

 

[ForceStealer]

Is there a lot? I think their localization team is pretty good these days.

As for Hope. As long as there is less reason for people to ship him with Lightning, the better in my book.

 

[Arianna]

I get you. She's been talking like a robot since the opening of XIII-2. Hopefully, we get normal Lightning back soon.

I asked Ali about that, and she told me that she made the decision to present Lightning that way because of everything the character has been through (loosing Serah, etc.)

Proofz:

 

[ForceStealer]

Ali Hillis is awesome.

And yeah the boring!Lightning is a function of the writing, not the voice acting. It does kinda seem like she's getting some of her oomph back though? Holding out hope for that.

As to the voice, the breathy, somber Lightning just makes her sound a lot more like Liara.

 

[Arianna]

I hope SE won't go the route that everyone who died is just forgettable.

Look, yes, the games are flawed, and could have been so much more, but that does not mean somethings weren't held precious by those gamers who see it as a success in some way, liking it.

While I wish I could say that the new trailer did something to change my feelings - I'm still cautious with this game; I have fears about it, yet hope(s) too.

I'm happy Fang is back (and yes, we need Vanille!) That is definitely a plus!

 

[Marcus]

I agree that Fang is back, but I'm still very ominous about the new trailer. XIII was an excellent game in my opinion, The characters were strong (well most of them were). XIII-2 was a decent attempt at a sequel but it just left so much un-answered and then ending was very poor.

I don't really know what to expect from lightning returns. I really hope it doesn't neglect things from the past 2 titles such as the

Spoiler

Death of Serah

.

Normally with trailers you get small details about the story but they're careful not to reveal too much, with this trailer I feel it revealed too much and explained so little. (Noel is now the enemy, Snow is back and Hope is a prepubescent annoying kid again?

I'm hoping they give the game a good coverage during Gamescom and Tokyo Game Show and not just focus on it's next gen titles.

 

[Arianna]

I don't really know what to expect from lightning returns. I really hope it doesn't neglect things from the past 2 titles such as the

Spoiler

Death of Serah

.

They will not ignore Serah. We already know this from screenshots and the captured dialogue. I hope they will not ignore the fal'Cie.

 

[Mwynn]

I agree that Fang is back, but I'm still very ominous about the new trailer. XIII was an excellent game in my opinion, The characters were strong (well most of them were). XIII-2 was a decent attempt at a sequel but it just left so much un-answered and then ending was very poor.

I don't really know what to expect from lightning returns. I really hope it doesn't neglect things from the past 2 titles such as the

Spoiler

Death of Serah

.

Normally with trailers you get small details about the story but they're careful not to reveal too much, with this trailer I feel it revealed too much and explained so little. (Noel is now the enemy, Snow is back and Hope is a prepubescent annoying kid again?

I'm hoping they give the game a good coverage during Gamescom and Tokyo Game Show and not just focus on it's next gen titles.

This is how I feel right now. I'm replaying XIII, and although flaws are still evident to me I still see the care the story has, which XIII-2 didn't have imo. And as I've said here before, the main reason why the new things introduced in XIII-2 were poorly handled was because of their initial decision of expanding the story outside the game through DLCs. And because they decided with a full final game instead, XIII-2's story as a whole was left to be nothing but a mess.

They really shouldn't neglect important story stuff at this point. Looking back though, they seem to have revealed more direct story points we are to expect in LR. The only story points we got for XIII-2 pre-release is that it will have a darker story, Lightning and Caius shouldn't be regarded as "an angel and demon" (meaning not strictly "good and evil".... hey wait a minute...this is making me think of something..), and that vague question they brought up, "Is Lightning truly happy?" or some shit. For LR we are assured that previous main characters will have closures, and actual small insights of what we can expect from them, especially Lightning. And that it will have a "happy ending".

I feel conflicted by the recent trailer, but I actually liked that last scene. I think it's with Ali's voice acting in that part, it was really good. (maybe because it's the first time I'm hearing Lightning again with an emotional and conflicted voice, which was often present in XIII) (also, compared to XIII's CG, LR's sure is a noticeable improvement)

Oh and, some translation info from the recent trailer:

I was comparing the dialogue in the English and Japanese trailers, and in the Japanese trailer, Lightning states VERY directly that she is no longer a normal human. In the English one, she sounds more uncertain and melancholy about her new identity.
The Japanese version is like, “Is this a power from God, or is this the power of one no longer human? Either way, I have ceased to be human MOTHAFUKAAAAZ!!" …Well, she doesn’t say that last part. XD But she sounds so strong and cold.

I really don’t know what to expect because of the differences in the two trailers. English!Lightning sounds more vulnerable and unsure of herself; Japanese!Lightning sounds more distant and indifferent.

That's a big difference to me. No wonder Kitase was very specific on how they're paying careful attention on the English translation.

 

[Arianna]

I like the new render of teen!Hope. I think it's so cute!

I just hope she can go away from being this "god-being".

They have a habit of retconning themselves, but Kitase and/or Toriyama said that she will go back to being a normal human being if she ever allows herself to be one/gives up the things that make her different (the power, etc.)

 

[Blade]

Okay, I saw all that stuff and here's my thoughts:

1. Growing Yggdrasil with Eradia is kinda like the Legend of Mana games, but with a hint of Valkyrie Profile thrown in...what with the time periods and all.

2. The thing about young Hope:
--Theory 1: He could be a virtual duplicate (like the Alyssa Zaidelle Duplicate in FFXIII-2 in Augusta Tower), like a virtual representation of the Ark's Internal System.
--Theory 2: If Time really has been shattered, it could be that the events of FFXIII-2 never occurred in some parts of the world, creating a paradox of some kind, making Hope young, yet retaining his memories of those events.
--Theory 3: Like someone said, it could be Hope gave some of his essence (Eradia?) to keep the Yggdrasil Tree growing...since it seems to be connected to both the Ark (a timeless realm) and the world below (where time is broken).

3. Equip system seems cool, though I hope it's upgradeable/customizeable so that you can edit inherent stats/auto-abilities like you could customize the monsters in FFXIII-2.

4. SOLDIER-Lightning is hype for sure...though I kinda wish she also had a Sephiroth outfit too for some reason (since I love the Masamune too). Also, how do you do that "thing" Cloud does when he swings his sword for a victory pose? Is that even natural?

5. I second the notion of giving Lightning a Valkyrie Profile Armor outfit...it only seems fitting what with the whole Norse theme.

Also, Fang fans need to get a grip, you people need to calm down, lol.

 

[ForceStealer]

What's the chance of Fang just being a facsimile like the ebul-Serah?

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

Equal and directly proportionate to the chances of a riot starting outside SE headquarters.

 

[AvecAloes]

I'm a little disappointed by the number of returning characters who didn't get a change of outfit, to be honest.

 

[Masamune]

This is how I feel right now. I'm replaying XIII, and although flaws are still evident to me I still see the care the story has, which XIII-2 didn't have imo.

I don't. The whole FFXIII franchise is some of the worst examples of storytelling in... anything ever. Motomu Toriyama should be confined to the deepest depths of Squenix HQ and never be allowed near another FF game again. Fucking hack.

 

[ForceStealer]

I'm a little disappointed by the number of returning characters who didn't get a change of outfit, to be honest.

Yes, moar of these please.

 

[AvecAloes]

Oh you. You know that's not what I want.

 

[Blade]

I'm a little disappointed by the number of returning characters who didn't get a change of outfit, to be honest.

It's called "3D Artists are lazy and cut corners".

Well, as far as I know FFXIII-2's models didn't have the same problems as Dissidia's did...but here's hoping it turns out well in-battle without any problems.

 

[Splintered]

Yes, moar of these please.

You know, I was annoyed by the lack of costume changes for the old characters too, but when you put it that way... I'm good now.

Then again Snow isn't so bad.

This is how I feel right now. I'm replaying XIII, and although flaws are still evident to me I still see the care the story has, which XIII-2 didn't have imo. And as I've said here before, the main reason why the new things introduced in XIII-2 were poorly handled was because of their initial decision of expanding the story outside the game through DLCs. And because they decided with a full final game instead, XIII-2's story as a whole was left to be nothing but a mess.

I like XIII's story much better. I don't think XIII-2 was a product of dlc handling though, I think the problems with the story is as I said before. They established a mythos before everything, and Toriyama (along with type-0 and Versus XIII pre FFXV) were allowed to pick and chose.

So when XIII was developed, they selected a few parts of the mythos that worked for them, and built the story from that. XIII-2 rolls around, and when they make a new game, they don't need a game consistent with the plot of XIII, the theme, or even the characters. They needed a game that was consistent with the starting block, the mythos, and the mythos is large and vague enough, they can essentially uproot everything and it still technically works. It's just so jarringly different.

It wasn't even suppose to be a sequel right? It only probably got slated for a sequel because it was cheaper to reuse the models and at it least had some fanbase to work off of.

I think XIII-2 is best when focusing on Caius and Noel anyway. The plot is fucking stupid, but when it comes to Noel's issues and Caius's spiral into crazy... I actually think it's compelling.

I like the new render of teen!Hope. I think it's so cute!

I actually like younger!hope twist. It already puts us in a "what the hell happened" mood. And I just thought younger Hope was a better character than older Hope and I think it might mean we might get to see him internally struggle as well. I thought older Hope was an odd fit after the first game, even when I actually see why they had to make him that way (if he embodies the future potential of humanity, etc etc).

I think the idea that this was done to circumvent Light/Hope is not true. They've consistently been characterized as a cool big sis- younger brother trope, they probably thought it was easier to work off it in this way. I don't think romance was even on their mind. I'm excited to see them interact again anyway.

ONLY SAZH AND VANILLE LEFT.

And hopefully Caius.

 

[Arianna]

Yes, moar of these please.

That outfit is a clusterfuck. End of it. It is a combination of stuff put together. No design to it.

You know, I was annoyed by the lack of costume changes for the old characters too, but when you put it that way... I'm good now.

Then again Snow isn't so bad.

This.

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

What's really odd about how disjointed the overall story of XIII feels is that these games were made one right after the other. They don't even have the excuse of many years and several other projects passing in the meantime as with the Compilation.

 

[Mwynn]

I swear, when they announced XIII-2 will have time travel I kept saying to myself, "Oh God, it's happening. It's gonna be like the 3rd Birthday." I was hella worried, but my excitement got in the way, which was a bad thing because I've set myself for disappointment.

Lightning's default outfit is not that horrendous imo. It looks good in CG scenes. My main problem with it is the white flaps, especially the ones covering her legs. They're so distracting. When they turned them to black though in the demo, the whole thing looks much better?

This screencap for example looks great to me, because the weird ass white flaps aren't shown.

Spoiler

 

[ForceStealer]

No, someone posted many pages ago a picture where someone had photoshopped out the white cape-things, and it really did look way better. Still nothing touches the great simplicity of her 13 design, but it was marked improvement.

In a slightly more serious response to the characters who didn't get costume changes, I guess it is true that they already had to design a whole bunch of outfits for Lightning.