Square Enix has released another batch of new screenshots for their upcoming multiplatform video game, “Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII.” According to a report by All Games Beta on March 21, the latest images take a look at the various inns, shops and other landmarks from the latest video game in “Final Fantasy XIII” series.

In an interview with Nova Crystallis that was published on Jan. 20, Yoshinori Kitase talked a little bit about the DLC in the upcoming multiplatform title, “Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII.” The producer of the role-playing game first revealed that fans wanted downloadable costumes to have in-game effects instead of just providing an aesthetic change.

One example is the costumes that provided an aesthetic change to Noel and Serah. Feedback suggested that perhaps in addition to a visual change, maybe costumes should have an effect in-game – things like stat boosts, or other battle advantages. This feedback has been taken and applied to Lightning Returns. Following their release, players voiced concerns of confusion and frustration, saying that they didn’t really add anything to the main part of the story.

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Lightning is Final Fantasy's first female lead, at least according to Square Enix. This may come as a surprise to fans of Final Fantasy VI, which ostensibly starred Terra, the amnesiac magic user who gradually discovers her roots as an esper. But Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII director and series veteran Motomu Toriyama (who came in on Final Fantasy VII, it should be mentioned) has an explanation.

"We feel that every person within the party [in Final Fantasy VI] is a main character, but we feel Lightning is very impactful as the main female protagonist in the Final Fantasy series." Toriyama says. "Not only is she the first female protagonist, she is very powerful, cool, calm, and collected. So we believe that is another attractive feature of hers."

Unlike FFXIII and FFXIII-2 where to stagger an enemy all you had to do was fill up an enemy's chain gauge, this time you have to fulfill a bunch of other conditions besides that.

• This time there are no QTEs.
• Lightning's growth is tied to completing the quests you get from people in-game. From battles you get components to make new equipment and points to alter the amount of available time before the end.

The newly released screenshots of Square Enix's upcoming last chapter in Lightning's dynamic adventure show off incredible visuals, displaying that Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII still incorporates that bizarre and dynamic signature style.

Everything from the in-game cities and towns to the enemies and bosses--and, of course, Lightning herself--are rendered in such crystal clarity, painting a dazzling picture to a series that has continually pushed the bars of innovative RPG mechanics and distinctly amazing visuals.

Lightning will be the playable character - with a highly evolved range of techniques for battles and exploring the environment. Customise Lightning with a large range of different outfits and weapons; that affect not only the way she looks, but also her actions and abilities.

It’s been a while since the new game in the Final Fantasy franchise Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII has been announced and not much has been told since then. However the drought of information will soon end since starting December Square Enix will be going all out to promote the game in a variety of ways.

The final batch of DLC has finally been released by Square Enix for their fairly successful follow up to Final Fantasy 13, Final Fantasy 13-2. The DLC is all about our favorite heroine Lightning, and her battle with Caius the immortal guardian of the timeline. The DLC is not just an arena battle like the last DLC featuring Lightning was, but has missions to do. Also released is a Snow based mission pack.

The big news here isn’t really that there is DLC, it is what is in the trailer for the DLC. According to the-magicbox.com, the trailer says “Next Prologue – Lightning Chapter: Requiem of the Goddess”, which seems to hint that this DLC is the prologue of the next game Final Fantasy XIII-3. If this turns out to be true, we could be seeing the new direction that Square Enix is heading in with it’s Final Fantasy series. They might be able to combat the extreme length of time between Final Fantasy games with chaptered sequels built with the same engine. [SOURCE]