(SPOILERS)-Final Fantasy XIII-2: Previously Unknown Tidbits Revealed-

**Kuro** · 07-08-2012

Originally, Final Fantasy XIII-2 wasn’t meant to be a direct sequel for Final Fantasy XIII.
The story was meant to take place some 900 years afterward. During the creation of all the back story for the 900 years in between XIII and XIII-2, the development team decided to add time travel in the game. The theme of the game was keep the hope alive, even if the future is dark, uncertain and dangerous. Developers have got inspiration to the story from the tsunami cataclysm which happened in Japan in March 2011.

The battle between Lightning and Caius in Valhalla was meant to take place in an endless loop. Both characters were aware of it though. The endless loop could only end when Lightning turn into a crystal. Like we know, Valhalla is a place between the Unseen World and the real world, but originally it was meant to be the place in 999 AF. That time was also mentioned in Final Fantasy Type-0 (Only released in Japan for PSP) which would have tied both games together. This idea was cancelled.
The Caius which we have seen in 700 AF traveled to Valhalla by using the power of Chaos. From there he had the ability to send messages to past-him in different timelines. This explains why Caius in 200 AF seems to know Noel, even though they shouldn’t have met yet. He doesn’t have the ability to time travel, but Caius you fought in 500AF can be the same Caius in 700AF

Does Caius purposely make Yeul’s lifespan shorter by changing the timeline? Caius is aware of this and that is why he tries to destroy the world and bring everything to Valhalla. More paradoxes Serah and Noel solve more possibilities for the future broaden. That’s why Caius tries to reduce the number of possible futures to the point where there is only the one future, where the world is destroyed and gone. He allows Serah and Noel to solve the paradoxes and the world is still heading for its doom.

Caius’ motivation comes from the fact that he has seen Yeul die so many times on his hands and he knows the world will end in 700 AF. He wants to safe Yeul from her suffering by ending the world sooner than it is meant to happen. Caius actually died at the hands of Noel near the end of the game, but may live on through Chaos.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 didn’t feature any love story between Serah and Noel because they both had their own loved ones in Snow and Yeul. In few interview Toriyama promised that game will bring happy ending for Lightning but it didn’t happen. He he hopes to tell more stories using Fabula Nova Crystallis mythologies.

Ultimania Omega book also includes information about scrapped DLC plans. Originally Snow’s episode included a motorcycle minigame through the Archylte Steppe where he would fight against monsters. (See photo above) The goal was defeat 30 monsters, and Snow’s abilities would have been spinning, drifting, jumping and water spell. The racing system was used as the base for the chocobo racing minigame in Serendipity.

There was also plan to make Hope Episode DLC as an adventure type game using Live Trigger system in Augusta Tower. The goal was to stop Alyssa from killing Hope. Player would have used terminals, where you would have done some decisions that would let you continue the game or get a game over.

At first Alyssa was supposed to be a tough type of woman that would make fun of men. Her relationship with Hope should have changed both characters some way. They had a few fun ideas for her, but nothing was revealed. Anyway this version of Alyssa would have been too much alike with Jihl Nabaat so they decided to change her character.

http://squareportal.net/2012/07/06/n...nario-details/
http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/11493.html