[Screenshots!] Official Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Thread

[Blacksite]

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 is going down a different aesthetic path than previous games in the saga, drawing inspiration from industrial revolution London and other settings, but definitely not Skyrim, Square-Enix has stressed.

Speaking with Kotaku, the game’s battle director Yuji Abe discussed the game’s darker edge, and how he hopes all of the saga’s key characters will find a sense of hope by the time the end credits roll around.

Abe stated, “‘A battle with destiny,’ which is a theme at the root of the Lightning Saga, becomes a heavier burden on their shoulders as more events and people are sacrificed with each instalment.”

“By spending three games to depict their stories, I’m hoping that they are released from what binds them to their destinies, and they will get to see an end filled with a true sense of hope.”

The game follows Lightning as she attempts to halt the destruction of time. Taking place over 13 days, Lightning can add time to the game’s Doomsday Clock to halt the destruction. It’s a neat premise that riffs on the Historia Crux theme started by FFXIII-2. You can read more about the plot here.

Art director Isamu Kamikokuryo also dipped into the artistic inspirations for the game’s darker, more gothic locales, “When I first looked over the proposal documents given to me by the director, I thought it would be a great fit to have the following three elements as the main pillars: the elements of a mechanical design, which is consistently used throughout the FFXIII series, elements of fantasy, which is characteristic of the whole Final Fantasy series, and an element of gothic design, in a very broad kind of way.”

“We are picturing the streets and alleys of London around the time of the Industrial Revolution, near the end of the century.”

Kotaku also posed to the team that the game’s logo looks quite different to previous logos in the series, even suggesting that the developer has attempted to ape Skyrim’s motif.

Producer Yoshinori Kitase replied, “We revamped the title logo because we wanted to convey the ‘newness’ of this installment. Traditionally, the Final Fantasy series logo can be characterized by a delicate, yet bold illustration that is placed within the logo.”

“However, this time our intention was to present a newness using an emblem with sharp edges and a symmetrical design. And so there is no relation to Skyrim whatsoever. Of course, there are many members of the dev team that enjoy playing Skyrim.”

via VG247.

Weird. The game's logo doesn't remind me of Skyrim.

[Ixion]

Weird. The game's logo doesn't remind me of Skyrim.

C'mon, they're pretty similar...

[Blacksite]

I guess you're right.

He did say that many members of the development team enjoyed Skyrim.

[Bio]

They don't look alike to me. Only thing similar is arrangement. But then again I'm not exactly an untrained eye to these sorts of things.

[Ixion]

They don't look alike to me. Only thing similar is arrangement. But then again I'm not exactly an untrained eye to these sorts of things.

I think that's what they're referring to.

Not that any of this matters though. If anything, Elder Scrolls influence will be a good thing.

[Dave-The-Rave]

I hope this is a one off logo change.

[D3seeker]

C'mon, they're pretty similar...

An easter egg already. lol
And you have to stand back and view it, not the minute details. You can't even tell me with a strait face that it's not what the designers were thinking of at the time. Either way it's a good influence i my book. This is gonna be crazy different then bring it on!

[Typical guy]

Final Fantasy 13-2 Collectors Edition is only $23.27.
http://www.amazon.com/Final-Fantasy-...ectors+edition

[voicebox]

New lightning costume

http://www.novacrystallis.com/?p=3897

[DarkVincent07]

she looks pretty badass in my book! damn!

[voicebox]

Slightly better quality

[Dave-The-Rave]

Much better than her XIII-2 costume that's for sure!..Adding this to the OP.

[itachi73378]

badass chick is badass.
Nomura delivers in the design department once again

I thought of Sephiroth when I first saw it

[robvandam111]

I don't think the costume is a big deal. She looked incredible in XIII-2...but anyway, this is leading up into a Jump Fiesta Video. Can't wait!

[Kuro]

I though Sephiroth too. Got a lil Kingdom Hearts vibe as well.

[Blacksite]

Kind of hard to make out but it looks cool.

[snooper71]

I though Sephiroth too. Got a lil Kingdom Hearts vibe as well.

I got a Kuja vibe myself.

[Kuro]

I got a Kuja vibe myself.

oh..I see what you mean.

[Dave-The-Rave]

I don't think the costume is a big deal. She looked incredible in XIII-2...but anyway, this is leading up into a Jump Fiesta Video. Can't wait!

I hated the XIII-2 costume with a passion..

XIII Costume > LR:XIII Costume >>>>>>>>>>>>> XIII-2 Costume.

[LadyDuoMaxwell]

Her costume reminds me of a samurai warrior for some odd reason. It looks good, but I wish they have a higher quality picture.

[Dave-The-Rave]

Her costume reminds me of a samurai warrior for some odd reason. It looks good, but I wish they have a higher quality picture.

Trailer will be out soon so we'll be getting a proper look at it in a few days.

[robvandam111]

I hated the XIII-2 costume with a passion..

XIII Costume > LR:XIII Costume >>>>>>>>>>>>> XIII-2 Costume.

Come on! lol

I don't really care honestly. I'm just used to it and don't pay attention to what the characters wear.


Final Fantasy all the way!

[robvandam111]

Sorry for the double post. I found this at Gamefaqs board:

Japanese publisher Square Enix has recently shared an image at its Twitter account, saying that the first Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII trailer will be unveiled on December 22nd, 2012. Check out the image below:

(http://cow3wf11.tk/2012/12/lightning...december-22nd/ )

[Blacksite]

High-res version of the scan also showing parts of the game:

[itachi73378]

The armor plating on her arm looks totally like dragon scales.
The pictures in the scan make the game look like action hack and slash games just from the camera placement