Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is an End to the FF13 Saga

Despite the fans' dissatisfaction with the Final Fantasy XIII games, Square Enix is adamant on releasing yet another installment to the maligned series. 

The series' protagonist will return for the third and final time in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, which is set to arrive in 2013 and offer "a brand new story, world, characters and an enhanced gameplay system," according to the press brief from Square Enix.

The game, like its predecessor, will take place hundreds of years after the events of FF13-2. This time around however, players will take on the role of Lightning as a solo character and allow her to freely roam the world unlike in the previous games where players took on multiple points of view to move through the story in a linear fashion.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII will take place on the world of Novus Partus, which mainly consists of an archipelago connected by a monorail system. The game's art direction is described by the Square Enix team as "gothic, mechanical and fantasy." In other words, it won't look anything like the game's predecessors with the exception of the protagonist.

Square Enix says that a race against time will factor heavily into the game's story, as the world is set to end in 13 days. A doomsday clock will be an ever present element in the game to remind the player of their impending doom. Any actions the players take will hasten the passage of time.

Unlike previous games which offered very little in terms of customization, players will be able to fully customize Lightning, with unparalleled control over her aesthetics and combat style. Likewise, the battle system will be a heavily modified version of that of FF13-2, offering real-time as well as turn-based elements with players having direct control over Lightning's actions this time around. Lightning will also be able to perform blocks and counter-attacks in real time. Certain powerful attacks will hasten the doomsday clock, and must be used sparingly. 

Players will be able to rewind time at the expense of the doomsday clock should they find themselves in difficult situations or die in mid battle. 

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is expected to be the final chapter in the Final Fantasy XIII saga, and hopefully it will be good enough to redeem the franchise.