[Scarlett.]

The latest Final Fantasy XIII character to show their face (original outfit and all) in Lightning Returns is Sazh Katzroy – the middle-aged afro-sporting man who originally worked as an airship pilot.

Today’s details on the game come from VJump, which is also said to have details on The Wildlands area of Nova Crystallia as well as Lightning’s Energy Point consumable Scene Drive (Army of One) ability. Further details on her growing list of changeable outfits were included as well, although it might seem familiar to anyone who paid attention to E3.

We’ll be sure to update this post as more information comes in, so stay tuned.

[Scarlett.]

Here’s the latest batch of new screenshots out of Gamescom for Lightning Returns featuring The Wildlands – the last remaining wilderness in the dying world of Nova Crystalia.

The Wildlands is the fourth continent of Nova Chrysalia, and contains the remnants of the sprawling natural wilderness that once existed on Gran Pulse. Beasts run free here, and the people live a hardy life of self-sufficiency. But behind the lush and bountiful facade seethes Chaos that is especially powerful and dangerous. The Wildlands station is carved into the very face of a mountain. You can look out over sprawling green vistas from the station platform, making it hard to believe that you are still in a world on the brink of destruction. Be careful though – it’s easy to get lost within the massive forests if you’re not checking your map on a regular basis.

In the Wildlands, there exists a mysterious white chocobo known as the “angel of Valhalla.” Lightning saves this creature when it’s attacked by a monster and later agrees to nurse it back to health.

Canopus Farms is one of the small settlements within the Wildlands. The gysahl greens that grow here are considered a local delicacy. Another location within the forests is the Moogle Village – which is run by the very same Mog who once traveled with Lightning’s sister Serah. After being pulled into the expanding vortex of Chaos, Mog wandered around the Void Beyond for ages. After finding out his other moogle comrades had also ended up there, together they decided to build the Moogle Village. Not all is well, however, as Mog is still stricken with guilt over his failure to protect Serah.

Sazh currently lives with his son Dajh, in a house converted from the ruins of a crashed airship. He has been tormented for many hundreds of years by his failure to save his son, who fell into a deep slumber when the world began to collapse, and has not awakened since. Sazh has never give up on the quest to awaken his sleeping son. However, being unable to save him has cast a dark shadow over his heart…

It seems Dajh can’t awaken because his soul is in another place – possibly hid from Sazh by Lumina.



















More screenshots here

Youtube video

[Tom4784]

I'm starting to look forward to this, the story will be a disappointment like it always is but the gameplay looks fun.

[Scarlett.]

I dunno, I think the story might be decent this time, seeing as it is ending everything. The tagline in the trailer was ominous though...will we have to choose who to save/sacrifice?

It's awesome to see the Moogles back in force though

[Tom4784]

If that's the case then Snow will be the first person I sacrifice.

[Scarlett.]

Haha, I don't know, I've kinda warmed to Snow in a weird way, he's always been a bit of an idiot, but he's meant well. Though I'd probably sacrifice him before anyone else, lol.

[Scarlett.]

Youtube video

[Scarlett.]

Spoiler:

Caius

is back!

[Tom4784]

It was to be expected, the story lends itself for that return.

[Scarlett.]

I liked Caius, he was one of the better villains of recent years.

Also, I noticed in this screenshot, you can see the ruins of Academia

[Novo]

I'm not really interesting in Lightning or any of the original playable characters, i liked Noel, Serah, Caius and Yeul though so i'll get it just to see how it all ends with them lot

[Scarlett.]

I think the XIII-2 cast were definately a step up from the XIII cast, so it's good to see they will all be back.

[Scarlett.]

Just played the demo, its a lot of fun.

[Tom4784]

I'm playing through XIII-2 and I have to say, playing it back to back with XIII highlights a lot of it's flaws. The gameplay is less challenging, the graphics are pretty ugly and the story is worse than I remember. I still like the monster system and the Crystarium but I've got to say the game as a whole is not as good as XIII. I've done a bit of a 180 when it comes to XIII, it's a lot better than I thought. It does have flaws but they are forgiveable.

[Scarlett.]

Youtube video

[Tom4784]

This makes me want to play FF6.

[Scarlett.]

Been playing this the past few days, I absolutely love it so far, some people might not like it due to the counting clock, but I personally don't mind it

[Tom4784]

I don't find the clock that bad, Chronostasis pretty much allows you to play at your own pace and it's easy enough to keep your EP up.

It's a really good game, the story isn't great at the moment but the gameplay is fantastic.

[Scarlett.]

The story seems to be getting a bit more interested after doing the Dead Dune's mission, it seems.

[Tom4784]

I'm not too interested in the story with this game, it's the gameplay that has got me hooked. I honestly think it has the best battle system of any RPG I've ever played.

[Scarlett.]

The story in XIII's franchise went a bit crazy in XIII-2, but I still like it, mainly for the characters. I agree about the battle system, its a lot of fun.

[Tom4784]

I'm on Day 7 now, I think one criticism I have is that they could have done with a few more Main Quests. I had it all wrapped up by Day 6 and now I'm just tying up loose ends for half the game.

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Dezzy

I'm on Day 7 now, I think one criticism I have is that they could have done with a few more Main Quests. I had it all wrapped up by Day 6 and now I'm just tying up loose ends for half the game.

I'm at the exact same point, though I think for people playing on hard/normal, they're probably a bit closer to the final day

[Scarlett.]

My final boss score (blanked out the name)


I loved this game, it was a fantastic ending to the XIII series. I know in general, XIII hasnt been every FF fan's cup of tea, but I really liked all three games, I hope in time that at least XIII will get some of the praise it deserved. I recently went back to XIII and despite it being a bit more linear, I think its a good Final Fantasy game. I will be glad when Noctis becomes the new face of Final Fantasy though, I think everybody is ready for the XV era now.