Final Fantasy XIII-2 is one of the best role-playing games of the year (read our review), but as anyone who has played all the way through it can attest, the ending explicitly sets the stage for a sequel. Just last week, it was reported that Square Enix is planning to make a Final Fantasy XIII related announcement at the upcoming Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary event taking place in Shibuya from August 31st to September 2nd.
Now more info on the announcement has come to light, and it’s clearer than ever that we haven’t heard the last of Serah, Noel and Lightning.
The ”Final Fantasy XIII Lightning Saga: New Developments Presentation” is scheduled to take place on September 1st as part of the Anniversary Event — that much, we already knew. What we still don’t know is exactly what will be presented. It’s certainly feasible that the “Lightning Saga” refers to yet more Final Fantasy XIII-2 DLC that will address the game’s notorious cliffhanger ending, though it appears equally likely that a whole new game is set to be unveiled.
Speaking with Japanese games mag Famitsu, Final Fantasy XIII and XIII-2 producer Yoshinori Kitase reveals that work on the project, whatever it is, has “just begun,” and that the official title will be revealed during the presentation. Yes, it sounds very much like the long rumored Final Fantasy XIII-3 is about to be confirmed — but how long will we have to wait to play it?
Square Enix’s Fabula Nova Crystallis: Final Fantasy project has already expanded beyond its initial scope with the addition of Final Fantasy XIII-2. Final Fantasy XIII-3 would swell the project’s number to a total of five games (unless the “Lightning Saga” is now considered a separate entity — a semantic concern, to be sure, but an interesting one). At issue is that one of those game, Final Fantasy Versus XIII, is still nowhere in sight.
Recent rumors pegged Versus as having been cancelled, though Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada insists it is still in development. Whatever the case, Versus currently stands at six years in the making. Assuming that the game is, in fact, still on schedule to be released sometime before the next console generation dawns, what room does that leave for XIII-3?
Final Fantasy XIII-2 made use of assets from its predecessor, and thanks to the Historia Crux (which, without giving anything away, will have to appear in the sequel, won’t it?) there is every reason to assume that the same will be true of XIII-3. If that’s the case, then XIII-3 flat-out has to appear on current gen consoles — though, given that work has only “just begun,” it’s worth asking whether there is enough time left in this generation to develop another full length Final Fantasy game.
On the other hand, Versus has always been slated for this generation, and it’s hard to believe that after six years of (apparent) work, development would suddenly be shifted to Xbox 720 and PS4 (no matter how good Square Enix’s Luminous Engine turns out to be). Keeping in mind that PS3 owners also have Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn to look forward to, just how many Final Fantasy games is Square Enix prepared to deliver in the next eighteen months?
Personally, I think it’s just too many games in too short a time. My guess? We get Final Fantasy XIII-3 or Final Fantasy Versus XIII — not both. Either way, we find out one month from today. Mark your calendars.
-
Follow me on Twitter @HakenGaken.
Source: Kotaku
Xbox One: Watch The Next-Gen Xbox Presentation Here! 
Electronic Arts Engineer Blasts the Wii U 
What You May Not Know About The ‘Xbox One’ [Updated] 
GR Giveaway: Win a Superhero-Sized Trip to San Diego This July! 
Loading ...
I want to play versus 13, been waiting for this game for 6 years too long, it looks amazing from what little we have seen, but I think this game will bring final fantasy back to greatness, because in my opinion final fantasy 13 wasnt that great, i havnt played a good final fantasy since 10, so hopefully FF versus 13 will still give me hope for square enix
Has there been any more news on the final fantasy x remaster/remake? A release date would be nice.
No. No news on FFX Remaster since February 2012. But, we will hear more about it at Tokyo Game Show 2012. Hopefully a trailer, and a release date.
Plz let it be versus 13… Been waiting to long for it… 13 was ok, 13-2 a good but better, but honestly I’m not that hyped for a 3rd one it’s getting ridiculous…. Versus 13, ff14 a realm reborn(after I see reviews), and ff15 are the only 3 ff titles I’m looking forward to…
Sorry guys but Verses13 is being worked on by a different team and is widely expected to have an announcement at the TGS, which is a few weeks later. As for This new project, its expected to be 13-3 which after the way 13-2 ended is needed. Why else call it Lightning Saga? They have said as recent as last month that DLC for 13-2 was finished so thats also ruled out. As for remakes/remasters, they have said that they would not make anymore new games if they went down that route and have no plans to do so anytime soon. Plus many people would complain that a remake does not capture the greatness of the original. The 13 project was projected to span around ten years when concieved, so even an english version of Type 0 is possible in the future
Forgot to add, that time travel in a 13-3 wont be possible as time and death no longer exist. Sazh’s airship is considered a likely option
I was looking forward to 13-2, like a lot. Then I played it… it wasn’t that great, not saying it was the worst or anything :T I actually prefer the trailer over the game. If it is 13-3 they are going to announce, I really hope they do something different this time.
They are re-using assets from the previous two games, and aim to take the best of both to top off the series on a high. They need to bring the original cast back as two characters instead of six, gave fewer options.
I sure hope it’s Versus I’m getting tired of thirteen to be honest i liked the story but unlike twelve i just couldn’t get into the gameplay and have fun 12 took me some time to adjust at first but then after i found it really fun 13 on the other hand just kind of felt stuck between turn based and action as because they had the random encounters, and you were stuck in one spot like the old games except with this you weren’t able to go over a strategy
Simple solution – add Lightning into Versus XIII…