Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

[Arianna]

After looking more closely, I think you're right, Kuja.

 

[Kuja9001]

Here's some nightmare fuel

Spoiler

 

[Lex]

Haha wow, he is genuinely creepy. Kudos to the designer.

 

[Arianna]

Here's some nightmare fuel

Spoiler

Huh. Someone doesn't seem happy.

 

[Lex]

I should say "divinely" creepy actually, I think that's what I like about the design the most. It very obviously puts across divinity, authority and power. Also, it's beautiful. Which just makes it even scarier.

 

[Kuja9001]

To me its the eyes, they're soul piercing.

Reminds me of this guy in a way

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

It very obviously puts across divinity, authority and power.

Translation: "Sploosh."

 

[Kuja9001]

 

[Arianna]

That looks like one of Orphan's forms, or as I read somewhere "it appears like that because that's the way Dysley envisions Linzei" - so I'd have to say yes yes yes yes yes!

This does beg the question though: How did Barthandelus know (even if it's visually) about Bhunivelze!?

(Unless Lindzei looks like Bhunivelze to some degree.)

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

Were the fal'Cie supposed to be unaware of Bhunivelze?

Even if so, there may be a sort of "collective unconscious" among them.

 

[Kuja9001]

Pulse and Bhuni face comparison

Spoiler

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Pulse and Bhuni body comparison

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Were the fal'Cie supposed to be unaware of Bhunivelze?

Even if so, there may be a sort of "collective unconscious" among them.

Anything "lower" than Pulse, Lindzei, and Etro are unaware.

 

[Arianna]

Anything "lower" than Pulse, Lindzei, and Etro are unaware.

True. I'm just speaking on the basis that others thought (and in a way, looks true, at least to me) that the one picture was of Lindzei at first - a few posts back. So, if that's not a mistake, hence my question, how is it that Barthandelus saw Bhunivelze - unless Lindzei looks similar to him? Again, I hope I'm making sense.

EDIT: This made no sense.

 

[ForceStealer]

Okay, those Pulse and Bhunvielze designs are badass. Are they Nomura, do we know? Because you know how I'm always advocating that he go back to doing more monster designs as he's damn good at it.

 

[Lex]

Spoiler

Surprisingly, Cid Raines will be returning in some capacity.

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

Lex is now the new mako.

Also, that's kind of spoilery, Lex. I'd tag it.

 

[Lex]

Oops, soz. On both counts

 

[Hisako]

Also did someone post the new Lightning render yet? Edit: Guess not, so

Spoiler: Here it is

Sauce: novacrystallis.com

I can't get over how this goddamn fucking

ugh

 

[Blade]

Really should consider making a separate spoiler thread, guys.

Anyway...not so sure I'm fond of the new design from the back. Definitely not something I'd have her wear running around in in a cold wasteland or dank dungeon quest.

 

[Obsidian Fire]

Whatever happened to Lightning's functional armor look???

Even in XIII-2 it at least looked it sort-of worked... now you can't even pretend it can.

 

[Hisako]

I didn't really want to bring up the discussion again because we've had it before, but hey lets render this pose at an angle that shows off absolutely every detail of her outfit that's the most non-functional

And then give her a derp smile

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

Well, if you're going to walk around in that, you should at least be smiling. Nobody's going to be able to forgive you if your expression looks like how your outfit makes them feel on the inside.

 

[Vespa]

 

[Mwynn]

Idk, I kind of grown to like the outfit? But maybe that's because I know I can easily change out of it in-game lol.

Plus it's hard to complain about that sexy back shot.

 

[Fangu]

SEXY BACK HNF!

I like that render image, I think she looks a wicked contrast of skin and armour. But then again I didn't have the initial problems with the outfit that a lot of people did.

 

[Vespa]

So anyway this game is basically released now but I had some thoughts a while back that I shall share now.

I think this will be the best game of the saga so far and I'm hoping the story will actually create some tension. I struggled to care about anything in XIII and I thought it was empty relying entirely on looks. Didn't care about any of the characters, who were either annoying, risen from the graves of previous games, or simply undeveloped.

and in XIII-2 I basically played the game muted. I got so far with cutscenes then I stopped listening then I just skipped everything, plugged my headphones into my ipod and played for the battle system. Like a Dynasty Warriors game but with a bit more brain activity. This game looks like it might at least have a bit more to do and a bit more to care about, a bit more suspense.

Another big problem with XIII-2 was the fucking party. Lightning might not be an original character but the damaged, emotionless-under-most-circumstances military badass type character works well and it's easy to forget the lack of originality because you don't have a problem being a badass. Being the anorexic unemployed burdensome younger sister of a badass for an entire game is bothersome. Being the time travelling asshole for an entire game is bothersome. When you play a game you shouldn't like your pets more than your characters. So Lightning returning as the playable character is a good thing.

I am not so sure about the battle mechanics. It was the only thing that didn't need to be altered in the XIII games, it was solid and I am concerned about how it will be with the main character in this game.

Honestly, this game would have been better as a Shadow of the Colossus style open world game where you face ridiculous odds as Lightning and wrestle with the gradual loss of your soul as you increase in strength and destroy gods. That would be an amazing game if SE could come up with an original storyline and swap the puzzle element in defeating colossi for a great JRPG battle system, offering the options for a paradigm party or mercenary recruits.