FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

[Armando]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

So Square, how about another Chrono game? Now there's a series you can make sequels for without pissing people off.

Then again, they'd probably make 40+ characters like Chrono Cross and DLC 15 of them.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

So Square, how about another Chrono game? Now there's a series you can make sequels for without pissing people off.

Then again, they'd probably make 40+ characters like Chrono Cross and DLC 15 of them.

While you're wishing for that, might just be better to just track down a copy of Radiant Historia for the DS.

[Armando]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

Yeah, that one's on my to-do list.

[Malacite]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

Fuck CT, I want more Saga Frontier starting with the PS1 games being put up on PSN already.

[Firewind]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

While you're wishing for that, might just be better to just track down a copy of Radiant Historia for the DS.

Yeah Radiant Historia is a very fun games. Had to import mine from videogamesplus.ca but it was worth it and I got the game surprisingly quickly. They shipped it in under a week.

[Armando]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

Fuck CT

[Gobo]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

The Real Villain

Is Yuel. She is the one who traps Snow in the Colliseum and is basically an asshole to Valk. Lightning, summoning a fake Caius to keep her distracted from saving Serah. As for WHICH Yuel, that could be anyones guess, as are her motives.

[Malacite]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

[Aeni]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

Whoah ... this thread totally veered away from the game and on to criticism for Square-Enix, which they totally deserve, but I was looking for some info regarding ... actual gameplay and not a political discussion about how or what or why a company should be developing. You guys can go make a new thread for that, I'm sure everyone will get just as much, or even more, attention there.

(I don't care if you look down on me because I still play this game but it's not the absolute worst game I've ever played -- IMO of course)

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

A game is mostly remembered for the biggest impression they left, SE and Bioware earned a bad rep for monetizing without shame and tossing out an incomplete ending by the judgement of most gamers. Capcom sells $60 games that have paywalls.

This is the impression left. They think we're fools that will keep paying out.

I would love to discuss the finer points of the gameplay, but they made it something I don't want to buy, totally undermining any great gameplay they offer. I was pretty jazzed to play FFXIII-2 and Dragons Dogma til until I saw all the BS.

People aren't wrong to be upset. I'll celebrate the studios getting it right.

[Firewind]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

I enjoyed FFXIII
I enjoyed FFXIII-2
I enjoyed Mass Effect 3

My criticisms of SE and Bioware stem from the fact that I dislike the arrogance that SE and Bioware both display. SE is slowly improving and with FFXIII-2 they did listen to the criticisms on FFXIII and improved FFXIII-2 accordingly by fixing the flaws of FFXIII. Yes XIII-2 had it's own flaws but that is not relevant right now. I actually LIKE that SE and Bioware are being taken down a few pegs purely because as a gamer, I want to see developers produce works of the quality of what made them famous.

I'm a PC gamer and the current market for PC games proves that you don't need a multi-million dollar budget or world renowned voice actors for your game. Look at minecraft for the best example. That started as one guy coding in his bedroom and it's turned into one of the biggest PC franchises out there. Now I'm not going to be all pretentious and say "Indie Devs are the best" but the major devs could learn a lot from the Indie market.

[jenova_9]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

new speculation!

Requiem of the Goddess pretty much shows how Serah and Lightning both die. One is either trapped or really dead (Serah) Lightning fights a never ending battle with Caius Ballad, but then she eventually wins and the Chaos is banished. Once the Chaos is banished, Lightning is seen on Odin, and we are introduced to Shadow Yeul. Shadow Yeul is not like the other Yeuls. She has a creepy laugh in this bit of the DLC. She is taken the form of a "chaos Yeul" if you will. Not only that, but in the Snow DLC, we can also see this Shadow Yeul for two seconds. We then learn that Snow is trapped in the Colosseum and CANNOT leave because of the Chaos (Shadow Yeul) Snow is trapped in there, and cannot time travel anymore. Upon Valfodr's defeat, a new future is opened up. Serah refuses to use it seeing as her boyfriend is trapped. NOW we learn that Shadow Yeul is an evil bitch. Yes, for everyone who thought Yeul was all sweet and nice... well too bad. BEFORE anyone says this is Yeul and all Yeuls... you must know that Yeul is born differently every time. This Yeul can possibly not be Yeul at all. Infact, this very form of Chaos can actually have a true form which will be revealed in FF XIII-3. Now, let me go on to a different approach at Yeul. Yeul from what we know, always dies. This Yeul, obviously cannot die because time has stopped, and she is living eternally with Caius. This revealed by collecting all 160 fragments and beating the game again. We can see Caius bringing everything to oblivion. THIS IS NOT A PARADOX ENDING. It is really a canon ending imo. This secret ending reveals that Etro is seemingly dead. Chaos is a gift from Etro. Lightning can partially use it as well as revealed in the ROTG DLC. This makes sense that both Caius and Lightning can use Chaos. However, people think Caius is dead by the end of XIII-2. The secret ending shows his eyes glowing red. He is able to use Chaos as he did have the heart of chaos previously. Though one thing may confuse people. Caius was only immortal because he had the heart in him. It is seemingly destroyed by Noel in the end, but Caius is somehow.. still immortal. Could this imply that Etro may actually not be dead?

new villain. Shadow Yeul can very well be Lindzei. Why? It would explain where Lindzei had been. It would also explain who is the true mastermind with Bhunivelze also. She has been using Caius as her protector. There is another approach to this though. Shadow Yeul can be the manifestation of Mwynn also. Mwynn is technically already killed by Bhunivelze. However, Mywnn was not necessarily evil. From what I have been reading, Etro was tasked with protecting the universe by Mwynn. Mwynn was already being consumed by Chaos when she died. So yes, I have two approaches to this. I still think that she is Lindzei more though. This would most certainly explain the rise of the Bhunivelze tale, as depicted by ROTG's ending. Why do I think she is Lindzei? Mostly the evil laugh. That was just enough to say she is evil. Shadow Yeul blames Lightning for killing her own sister because Lightning seemingly went after Caius after she saw what was happening through Etro. This is why Lightning chooses to stand by Etro. We know Serah would die, and Lightning wanted to atone for this. Lightning is blamed by this mysterious shadow figure who very well may be the Serpent Lindzei, or The manifestation of Mywnn. Lindzei is described as being a demon, a succubus, a terrorizing figure. We have only ever seen her as a statue in the Narthex, and on Orphans first form when barty merged with Orphan.

We learn that Lightning is indeed not dead. She has chosen to sleep for now. She chose to be crystallized after Caius was "defeated" Even though she wanted to atone, she probably gave into Shadow Yeul's words. There is a distant future revealed after the credits of the dlc. This is what will entirely confuse everybody. In the ending, all the realms merged with Bhunivelze. Lightning says that she will awaken, and that the Tale of Bhunivelze will start. Interestingly, this dlc is a New prologue. It is really possible that this may be brought up in XIII-3 a few times. She is seen in the Dying World of 700 after the fall of cocoon, where everything is basically dead. She is alone, walking. MY THEORY is that since Lightning was GIFTED with chaos by etro, she can still time travel, or she can see a new distant future. However, if Etro really is dead, this can still be possible. Lightning is Etro's legacy, she can see the Dying world. No, this does not mean Caius lost. This means that XIII-3 will bring more info on Shadow Yeul. XIII-3 will focus on Lighting Saving Serah, and somehow get her out of her eternal memories. Though, Noel will lead the party, with Hope and Sazh by your side. Fang and Vanille as well possibly. They are never revealed to be shown in their true forms. Crystal stasis would not harm them though, but I doubt that Sazh removed them from the pillar as crystals.

and more speculation!

My opinion is Shadow Yeul is not Mwynn or Lindzei but is the “Yeul that exist in all ages” as explained in FFXIII-2. She is not a specific material instance of Yeul but rather is the spirit of Yeul that resides in chaos itself.

Yeul does seem to be connected to all the gods though as all of the Yeul Confession fragments are named after the gods and obtained when you speak to her manifestations in the void. I’m of the opinion that both Caius and this “all ages Yeul” both exist purely in spirit inside the chaos but can manifest materially (like the monsters). The Ultima Brand fragment tells us that Caius original material body is no more, only his spirit remains.

The Heart of Chaos does not grant the Guardian power-it eats away at their physical self. Caius did not gain an immortal body, but was cursed with eternal life.
And at the same time the Bhunivelze’s Sleep fragment tells us chaos’ role in manifesting the material.

In the physical world, it contains within its form endless chaos. By the will of the deities, it gives birth to all living things. I speak of Cyrstal.
To me it follows that if their spirit is in the chaos, then can manifest materially too. It also follows that anything consumed by chaos can manifest materially (coughrebirthoftheworldcough). I believe this scene is a good example of chaos bringing forth both Caius and Yeul’s spirit. I also think that the explanation given in the Secret Ending of the main narrative sheds light on why Caius/Yeul exists as chaotic spirits. I just don’t think Yeul herself is really one of the gods.

As for the gods, FFXIII mythology seems to suggest the “true form” any of its gods is “an agency of will.” Any and all images of these wills are simply an avatar (like the Natherax statue). What lead me to think this is that I noticed that any of its gods and “will” can generally be used either interchangeably in some capacity or is directly related. A good example of this is when the party of FF13 willed themselves back from being cie'th via the agency of Etro during the end. Also when Lightning approached Etro’s throne she was simply able to “feel her divine will.” The Bhunivelze’s Sleep fragment supports my idea here too. It says:

In all crystal, the heart that shines most brightly is called Bhunivelze.
Which leads me to my next point. I don’t think Etro is really “dead” either. I don’t’ think Mwynn is really “dead” either. As explained in the game, nothing really dies in Valhalla. I think what happens is that “death” in Valhalla can more accurately be described as being “defragmented into chaos.” Best analogy I can think of is a computer file (since I’m Computer Science grad). When you “delete” a file it’s not really deleted. You are simply taking apart the logic that allows the file to be retrieved in the form that you know it as. It still exists, just not in a coherent from for your operating system. There are various levels of measure that can be taken to piece the file back together as a whole however.

To me the mythology seems to suggest that the solution to such things is having a focused hope in your heart because doing so can produce uncanny miracles and that is the only thing that can balance the double edge sword known as chaos and turn it’s naturally destructive powers into creative ones. This idea is hinted at in Mwynn Tenderness, (and of course the entire plot of the first game.)

Our bodies are made of the blood of the goddess. Our souls are formed of the chaos which she bestowed upon us. The Farseers were an ancient people who embraced the chaos more than any other. They were Pulse's oldest tribe, and I was their seeress.

The power to see the future. The power to travel the timeline. The power to bend monsters to your will. The power to remember in your dreams, even when the timeline has changed. They are manifestations of hidden chaos, and in a chosen few, these powers are great indeed. Such are the blessings of the goddess.
In ROTG ending Serah’s resolve inspired light to crystalize herself in an effort to preserve her hope to be reunited with Serah in Crystal – which I believe directly relates the Bhunivelze’s Sleep fragment. I believe XIII-3 is going to involve Lightings heart wakening Bhunivelze – something the myth says is fated to happen. Even more interesting though, the Violet Crystal says this:

The seeress of the Farseers has left us many prophecies, but amongst them the most enigmatic must surely be this: 'When Valhalla consumes the sky, a new star flashes like lightning, and in the heavens twinkles distant hope.'
What does it mean when 'Valhalla consumes the sky'? What is the new star that flashes in the sky? Does this prophecy foretell a future of salvation—or destruction? No one can say.
I think the hypothetical XIII-3 is going to revolve around the salvation (or rebirth) of the material world. Caius obviously doesn’t want this because that means time will exist and material Yeuls will be born. Lightning does because that means her and Serah can be reborn and be together again. Since we know that events and memories can be preserved in Crystal and we’ve played these memories in XIII-2, perhaps XIII-3 will be a sort of a prequel involving what happened with Caius when he did the incarnate summoning for Yeul. That would introduce a good way to add new characters all while keeping the old ones. It would also be a good way to get all the gods involved and better detail things like the War of Transgression.

I think the distant future thing didn’t’ hint at XIII-3 setting taking place in the dying world because how do you write a story where nothing is living? I'd be a pretty boring one. I think it was simply alluding to “the end of days” to suggest that light will awake from stasis at the end of time, which parallels with Bhunivelze's story, which implies that there is hope for the material world.

very interesting!

[Aeni]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

A game is mostly remembered for the biggest impression they left, SE and Bioware earned a bad rep for monetizing without shame and tossing out an incomplete ending by the judgement of most gamers. Capcom sells $60 games that have paywalls.

This is the impression left. They think we're fools that will keep paying out.

I would love to discuss the finer points of the gameplay, but they made it something I don't want to buy, totally undermining any great gameplay they offer. I was pretty jazzed to play FFXIII-2 and Dragons Dogma til until I saw all the BS.

People aren't wrong to be upset. I'll celebrate the studios getting it right.

I'm with you all the way but I was looking for whether or not people still play this game and then what kind of paradigm shift strategies (and monster) combinations they are employing in end-game for farming, etc., like in FFXIII.

[Malacite]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

All that is buried way deep in the earlier pages if you look for it.

[Aeni]

Re: FFXIII-2 screenshots! Serah party member!

All that is buried way deep in the earlier pages if you look for it.

Those were pre-release "analysis" on the function of abilities and the paradigm shift system. And that's at page 9. I've been actually skimming the thread and didn't see anything that didn't already come with your game manual and/or SE PR release.