Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII preview: time for change
Square Enix has been oft criticized for its abundance of Final
Fantasy games. However, even as we reach the third Final Fantasy
XIII game, it's clear that the company never rests on its
laurels. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is a radical
departure from the previous two games in the Fabula Nova
Crystallis series. In fact, by moving to a new "Amazing ATB"
battle system, Lightning Returns may represent the boldest
change for a mainline Final Fantasy game ever. focalbox Producer
Yoshinori Kitase, who has worked on the franchise since FFV,
introduced the game by setting up our expectations. The first
game in the XIII trilogy was "story-driven," he said. It was a
game very much driven by the vision of its creators. However,
XIII-2 evolved to be "player-driven," after tepid fan response
had the team go back to the drawing board. For the oddly-
numbered sequel, players had far more flexibility in how they
wanted to approach the story, jumping into