If you haven't listened to Heath and Janelle's Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII podcast, then you've probably missed out on what makes the third XIII game so great. Thankfully, Masahiro Sakurai, director of Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS, has taken to his Weekly Famitsu column to expound upon the latest Final Fantay's battle system.
While I've never gotten hands-on Lightning Returns, the third FF game for this generation goes to great lengths to make the Active Time Battle or ATB system engaging for players of all skill levels.
Speaking about the battle system itself, Sakurai notes that this latest Lightning-focused game represents the culmination of all the ATB work Square Enix has done over the years. "I was amazed at how, even under the limitations of there being only one party member, the ATB system has evolved," Sakurai wrote.
It's easy to pick up an already released game and simply enjoy it, but in order to generate entertainment, you need to keep your eyes peeled. I was reminded that if you take what seems natural for granted, nothing will evolve or change for the better.
While I've barely scratched the surface of battling in Final Fantasy XIII (I was never motivated to finish the game), I've heard great things about Lightning Returns and how our heroine kicks copious amounts of monster ass. How have the ATB advancements in Lightning Returns changed development or gameplay in Final Fantasy XV, formally known as Final Fantasy Versus XIII?
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is out now in Japan, but North American gamers can get it on Xbox 360 or PS3 on February 11th. Europe will get the game a few days later on Febraury 14th.
