Final Fantasy XIII-2 will be less linear, tell a clearer story, and take its players down darker paths according to an interview with head members of the Final Fantasy XIII-2 team in Japanese game magazine Dengeki.
In the mag's latest issue, Producer's Yoshinori Kitase and director Motomu Toriyama talk about the upcoming sequel and the many ways in which Square Enix plans to show that they've been listening to their fans. Among the most promising tidbits from the interview is news that the team plans to completely avoid the cutesy, pop music trappings of its X-2 sequel, and that there will be alterations made to both to the battle system and XIII's oft-lamented linear style. Granted, replacing pop music with extra-broody brooding doesn't really smash any JRPG stereotypes, but we'll see how it turns out.
As for the game's storytelling, Kitase and Toriyama noted that Fantasy XIII-2 will continue to introduce its share of mysteries, but do a lot to shed some light as to what the hell went on in the XIII. Dengeki's article also revealed that players will carry on the search for an invisible gate to the world of Bunibelle, and that a goddess by the name of Etro will play a heavy role in the ensuing adventures.
Ever since Square Enix pulled the lid off of Final Fantasy XIII-2 with its trailer last week, RPG fans have been itching for any indication that its devs are making the sequel with the criticisms and concerns of the original in mind. True, we're still far, far away from any actual proof either way, but even acknowledging said criticisms is a start.
Final Fantasy XIII-2 will be released this year in Japan and 'next winter' (read: next January or 2015 after all the delays) for North America and Europe.
Jan 25, 2011
[Source: Sileconera]
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