Famitsu reveals more character and gameplay info

Japanese gaming mag, Famitsu, comes up big again in their latest issue, where they managed to get hold of more info on the characters that we’ll be meeting next year in Final Fantasy XIII (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3), as well as a few other gameplay elements. For now, we’re stuck with getting details when they come, and come they just did, so read up and stay updated.

Japanese gaming mag, Famitsu, comes up big again in their latest issue, where they managed to get hold of more info on the characters that we’ll be meeting next year in Final Fantasy XIII (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3), as well as a few other gameplay elements. For now, we’re stuck with getting details when they come, and come they just did, so read up and stay updated.

A lot of the new info is about the newly-introduced Serah Farron, who’s Lightning’s sister and fiancée to Snow. Since she’s Lightning’s sister, Square Enix character designer Tetsuya Nomura wanted to make her match Lightning’s silhouette, so they decided to give her the wavy hair of the same color.

Serah is also the first l’Cie in Cocoon, which leads the story to the more interesting points. I say “more interesting” because Motomu Toriyama and Yoshinori Kitase both refused to reveal the details unfolding from there. What they did discuss further is her relationship with the other characters. She and Vanille seem to be BFFs of sorts, possibly because they’re closer in age.

When they’re not plotting against the government and fighting waves and waves of troopers, the party kicks back and hangs out at a beach house that they manage. This beach house is in Serah’s and Lightning’s hometown, where the trailer with the fireworks (from the Premiere Party) takes place.

Gameplay-wise, Toriyama-san and Kitase-san touched on the weapons that characters will be using. Vanille can use a fishing rod, while Snow’s Nora-manufactured white coat can be equipped further with patches to give him special powers. Final Fantasy XIII also features a wind parameter which will affect the game’s environment, including Sazh’s ‘fro. Whether that’s a visual feature or a gameplay element still remains to be seen.

Well now, that was a lot, wasn’t it? Tell us what you think!

• FFXIII scans: introducing Serah Farron
• A closer look at Sazh Katzroy
  

Via PSU