Final Fantasy XIII-3

[Paddy]

It doesn't work. They got on that like a bunch of hawks.

We'll see the proof in the pudding no less.

[Adam]

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII has been delayed. Square Enix today announced that the role-playing game will launch in North America on February 11, 2014, followed by a launch on February 14 in Europe.

Balls!

[Paddy]

Sadly I get the feeling that most people don't care for the title anymore what with the new machines incoming and perhaps FFXIII having rode the departing vessel.

Maybe the next numbered FF title can get the franchise out of the rut it seems to be stuck in and repsected among the gaming community's hearts again? A return to actual traditional fantasy might be a god idea (and just one belt per character please Nomura-san!)

[Dogg Thang]

Is FFXIII the only main numbered single-player FF game this gen?

[nakamura]

Nomura needs to be sacked.

[djtickle]

The whole thing looks terrible.

[Guts]

Nomura needs to be sacked.

I agree. Time to give the franchise to some fresh talent. I can't really take Nomura's pretty boys and lolita girls anymore.

[MisterBubbles]

Do we really care? , you know it's going to be pish.

[shaffy_oppa]

Nomura needs to be sacked.

This. Akihiko Yoshida is a much more talented character artist.

the new trailer and the lore and what not sounds good... it just looks really crap...

[fuse]

I played XIII and XIII-2 to (100%) completion, and I'll probably do the same with this. First impressions haven't been great though. Ah Final Fantasy, 'tis a shame what's happened to you.

[danholo]

I'd rather have FFXII HD Remake/Update with the possibility to choose between the original license board and zodiac board than this useless ****. I have yet to play FFXIII-2 which didn't keep my interest after a few missions.

[Paddy]

I heard that FFXIII-2 was an improvement over FFXII (which is only a good thing) but I agree with Guts. The series has been stuck in this new Japanese generation, rocker-cum-harajuku style rut since FFX and its due time the franchise moved into some different influences for character appearances.

I don't know if Nomura worked on FFXII character designs but from what I remember of them they were pretty cool for the overall style of the game. Or get the character designer of Lost Oddyesey on board (isn't that the author of the manga Vagabond though? Guess he's busy atm).

Square Enix will really have to get it right with this instalment. Only being able to play as Lightning means we'll have to like her or there's going to be lits of unhappy players.

[Guts]

Nomura didn't work on Final Fantasy XII, the character designer was the much more talented Akihiko Yoshida who worked on Vagrant Story and FF Tactics.

[Darwock]

I'm surprised that everyone seems to think the biggest problem with FFXIII and it's spin-offs was the character design. That was the least of it's problems.

[nakamura]

I didn't hate Nomura early on but his designs are stale now and his characters all too predictable. Snow and Hope were among the worst characters in recent memory and Lightning just felt like Squall but without his amazing weapon, er in both senses I guess!

FFXII was an absolute masterpiece and took the genre to the next level. An absolute 10/10 because of the amazing seamless battle system the is now the basis for most Japanese role playing games. I remember it getting stick back then but when you look at Xenoblade and games like Last Story, they are variations on the auto attack system. Also the gambit system completely eliminated AI issues and allowed the system to flow.

Yasumi Matsuno should have been the future of Final Fantasy, his games are always high quality. There are rumours he was forced out by the bigwigs during the development of FFXII. Balthier was originally the lead and Van and Penelo were added in later simply to satisfy the 15 year old fans and recluses that play the franchise.
It's no coincidence that Balthier reminds everyone that he is the leading man.