However, Chris Doran doesn’t believe that the gap is all that big. We recently spoke to the founder and COO of Geomerics – which is responsible for the Enlighten lighting technology in use for AAA titles like Battlefield 4 0 on whether the PS4 and Xbox One will be able to compete with PCs in regards to creating realistic lighting, as well as whether the gap between them and PCs has gotten smaller than with the previous generation.

Doran stated that, “I don’t see a big gap between PC capabilities and the capabilities of the PS4 and Xbox One. On some measures you could argue that the GPUs in the new consoles are not as powerful as the most expensive desktop GPUs, but that was also the case at the last transition. It is something of a myth that consoles at launch are usually ahead of the top-end PCs.

“What the consoles always are at launch is the best power per dollar ratio, but if you want more power you have always had the option of going for a really expensive PC. What you should remember with the PS4 and Xbox One is that both have been highly tuned specifically for games. Microsoft and Sony both spent years working with developers on these specs, and it is not a coincidence that they have both chosen similar hardware designs.

“There are also a bunch of other technologies unique to the consoles that make them perfect for games (hardware units for specific tasks, driver extensions, etc). As with previous generations, it will be a few years before PC games start to out-strip the graphical quality seen on consoles. For the next few years PS4 and Xbox One will set the standard.”

We also asked how long it would be before developers would fully utilize the power of PS4 and Xbox One for creating realistic lighting using Enlighten. Doran responded that, “I think this cycle is a bit different, for two reasons. The first is that it has been a long time coming, and some developers have been gearing up for it for over two years. Both Sony and Microsoft went out of their way to get the key tools and middleware guys on board early as well, so that everything was ready for launch.

“The second reason is that both Sony and Microsoft have gone for a PC-like architecture that is well understood by developers. A lot of the additional power is in the GPU, and most developers know how to get good results out of these devices. So I actually think a number of the launch titles will already be utilizing much of the power of the PS4 and Xbox One to deliver great graphics and lighting using Enlighten.

“In previous transitions it has not been unusual for the launch titles to only be marginally better than the tail end of the previous generation. In terms of graphics that will not be the case this time round. What will take longer is evolving the gameplay, the AI, and making use of the new possibilities with cloud computing and second screen gaming that the new platforms provide.”

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

The game was released on November 21st, 2013 in Japan, February 11th, 2014 in North America and February 14th, 2014 in Europe for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

• 1. Development
• 2. Story
• 3. Gameplay
• 4. Characters
• 5. Limited Edition

Development

In September 2011 Square Enix registered a domain name for Final Fantasy XIII-3, but there was no mention of any development plans. The development details for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII were finally revealed after the release of Final Fantasy XIII-2. The game is taking a new direction in terms of design, and visuals as the developer is using newly designed resources to create worlds from the ground-up with drawings as references. In terms of combat, Lightning Returns director Motomu Toriyama stated in an interview that, ““I think when we talk about the visual side of the battles, if you think about the traditional RPG or JRPG, if you like, [driven] by command battle systems, you have to wait for your enemy to attack you, which is highly unrealistic, in order to pursue a more realistic depiction of combat.”

He further stated, “I think this is the way – the mainstream way, anyway – in an RPG in general. But on the other hand, that strategic element and command battle elements, which were the case with Final Fantasy XIII and XIII-2, is still there in this latest installment.

“In this game you can see three Active Time Battle bars on the screen and you can change into costumes for the best customization possible, so it’s not entirely an action game, it’s not action game enough to be solely intuitive. It’s more like you have to think about it – we believe that’s one of the great legacies from XIII and XIII-2 that we’re still sticking to.” [reference]

The costume design for Lightning was made by Tetsuya Nomura. In a translated Famitsu article he states that, “Lightning’s clothes are the clothes of a soul liberator, and the clothes and task are given by Bhunivelze – the maker.  New equipment can be bought from the various vendors in the game, or made if you have the right components, along with possible decorations like the sunglasses Lightning is seen with in the latest trailer.” [reference]

Story

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII will see the conclusion of Lightning’s story and follow her pursuit to save the world as it comes close to seeing a destructive end. The game takes place five hundred years after Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Lightning will be pushed to her limits against a fate brought about by a new entity of sorts.

While it may be the end of Lightning’s story, the Final Fantasy XIII universe will still continue. Final Fantasy producer Yoshinori Kitase stated in an interview, “When you say this universe, if you’re talking about the universe that we have been seeing in XIII, XIII-2 and this game, that includes Cocoon, Gran Pulse and the islands in this installment – that is definitely coming to an end. But if you’re on about Fabula Nova Crystallis and the mythology that these stories are based on, that may continue.” [reference]

Gameplay

The player will take control of Lightning herself, as the only playable character. She will have the ability to travel over a large variety of terrain in the game, as well as use the ability to climb, jump, crouch, take cover behind walls, climb over obstacles, hang off ledges and also employ stealth. The player has a choice to either walk between destinations or use the monorail for faster travel. The combat system has been revamped to move away from the semi-turn based nature of previous games to a more fast paced combat system. Chocolina will be present in the game to give support to the player. This time there will not be any QTEs (Quick Time Events). The game will allow players to put together a variety of weapons, shields and other abilities to create special skills.

The game is said to feature tougher bosses and enemies, as well as allowing the players to slice off different body parts of monsters. The game also makes an interesting feature which will include a time limit or more specifically a “doomsday clock” in which the player has about 13 days to prevent the world’s horrible fate. Defeating enemies or performing tasks will enable Lightning to turn the clock back and give her more time. Lightning will also have the ability to use magic and slow down time in the midst of battle to press the advantage.

Characters

Some of the characters that are making an appearance in the game are:-

Hope Estheim: He will be Lightning’s navigator; they will communicate continuously when you walk.

Snow Villiers will be an antagonist in one of the missions; he is a client in Yusnaan.

Chocolina – a time-traveling merchant.

Noel Kreiss – He tries to fight Lightning on the belief that she will end the world.

Lumina – She will sometimes help Lightning, but at other times get in her way.

Limited Edition

A special edition called Final Fantasy XIII Lightning Ultimate Box will also be released at around the same time. The box will contain the following: Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2 as well as Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Blu-ray games. The player would also receive a Play Arts Kai figurine of Lightning, a soundtrack of the game which comes on 3 discs, Final Fantasy XIII Lightning artwork, and a Final Fantasy XIII Lightning Ultimate Box Special Stand. A special controller will also go with the game’s release.