Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Info Bomb Courtesy of Famitsu

Final Fantasy fans might have already seen the trailer for the third game in the FFXIII series called Lightning Return: Final Fantasy XIII, but this time, we have a ton of details to share courtesy of Famitsu.

Not only do we find out that the tentative name for the game's combat system is "ATB Amazing," but we also find out how important time is and how the game is now an "open world" game compared to past Final Fantasy games. Of course, don't expect anything as drastic as the Grand Theft Auto games when it comes to freedom, but now you won't be limited to just one area before you can move on.

You can move around between continents by foot or faster by monorail. It’s the so called “open world” connection.
Judging by the current outlook, the world is really vast and it’s rough on the operations.
The first thing Square thought of was the map function, but now the numbers are regulated.
Square looks forward to seeing how each continent is manufactured and connected.
It seems there is still more to come.
In this title, one day is 24 hours. In Final Fantasy XIII it was 26 hours, but when time stopped 2 hours were lost.
What happens when the gate closes due to the time but you’re in a fight with a strong enemy, does it close after the battle? Does time pass during battle?
If you’re doing your best, you can stretch the time limit past 13 days and increase time, but how you do it is a secret.
The game’s test players cleared it in 2 to 4 days.
Depending on how you do it, the deferment is quite different.
The ending doesn’t differ too much depending on the time it takes you, but there are a lot of things in the playthrough you can’t experience within the time limit. Those variations are what players can look forward to.
Battles are invoked when a corresponding button is pressed. Battles this way have you watch the ATB bar.
There are a limited number of items you can carry.
By setting abilities, the battles are more action based rather than command based.
Tetsuya Nomura designed Lightning’s new costume

Can change costumes, including colors, throughout the game
Time is always flowing when you’re out in the field, except when you’re cycling through menus
NPCs will change their whereabouts and actions
Information can only be obtained only a specific time
Lightning operates alone in the game
“Style” – can register weapons, shield, accessories, abilities into a Style during combat, switch to different ones while battling
Can customize styles
Tentative combat name: “ATB amazing”
Earn points for effective use of time and equipment items
Gives you the sensory feeling that multiple people are fighting even though it’s really just Lightning

I told you it was an info bomb, didn't I? Based from the details shared above, Square Enix seems to be trying to meld old-school Final Fantasy tropes in with Western-based RPG mechanics. Hopefully that'll work seeing as the Final Fantasy name hasn't exactly been as strong as it once was a couple of years ago.

For more Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII info, read up on the earlier details revealed and how it's the last FFXIII game.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is set for release in 2013 for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Thanks, Gematsu and GamingEverything