Finally, a Localized Final Fantasy XIII Trailer

Written by Marc DeAngelis

Thursday, 29 January 2009 08:00

Ending Square-Enix's tantalizing countdown, a new trailer for Final Fantasy XIII has been released - with subtitles! Now you can finally figure out what's going on. Actually, I still have no idea what the hell is happening.

The main draw of this trailer is the inclusion of in-game battle sequences. Combat looks a whole lot flashier than previous Final Fantasies, which is saying something. It also seems to be paced much faster. The editing of the video does emphasize this in a less than honest way, but there are a few uncut sequences where one character after another attacks the enemy relentlessly. Even the actions of a single character's turn in battle are impressive - Lightning is seen physically attacking, casting a spell, then physically attacking again, all in a few seconds. Frickin' sweet.

I'm going to put this out there right now. It is my educated guess that Final Fantasy XIII will not see a localized release until 2010. I've been thinking this for quite a while, but now I've got some tangible evidence. The localized trailer ends with a cue card stating that the game is in development for the PS3 and Xbox 360. The Japanese version of the trailer, however, ends with "Coming in 2009." Hopefully I'm wrong, but I'm never wrong, so deal with it.

In the mean time, check out the trailer at SquEnix's official FFXIII page. And one last thing. Why is the lead protagonist named "Lightning?" Honestly, she has one of the most impressive character designs I've seen in years, but "Lightining?" She's not on American Gladiators or a hairmetal band or anything! Jeez!

Comments (9) Add Comment

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written by Dexie, January 29, 2009

It's sort of a tradition for Nomura's lead characters to be named after weather. Cloud, Squall, Tidus (Tide), Sora (Sky), and now Lightning.

Hrm. Wonder what Neku (from The World Ends With You) means.

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written by Brent the Closet Geek, January 29, 2009

FYI: I think your "impressive character designs" link is pointing to the wrong spot.

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written by Marc Deangelis, January 29, 2009

Wow, Dexie, I did not make that connection at all... Tidus and Sora never occurred to me as weather. Totally went over my head.

Brent, I was hoping the reader would make the connection that I'm inferring No More Heroes has good character design. Guess it didn't work out though.

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written by Dexie, January 29, 2009

Well, Tidus I'm not sure over, but I do know Sora is Japanese for Sky.

And on that note, Riku is is Earth and Kairi means Sea.

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written by Deviation, January 30, 2009

You want tangible evidence? How about the fact that Square has already said that Final Fantasy XIII won't reach markets outside of Japan during this fiscal year?

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written by Marc Deangelis, January 30, 2009

Only one member of Squenix said that he "expects" it won't leave Japan until later. Chillax.

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written by Tralfaz, January 30, 2009

Okay, what gives? That's the second time my comment's been eaten. Are links not allowed anymore? *shrug*

Anyway, that "one member" was Square-Enix president Yoichi Wada. Gamasutra had a story about this on Jan 16. You can search Gamasutra's news for Final Fantasy XIII, if you're curious.

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written by Marc Deangelis, January 30, 2009

Yes, the Gamasutra story paraphrased, but his quote, as I mentioned, said he "expects" it won't make it hear until then. To expect something and to confirm something are very different, even coming from a CEO. Let's not start a flame-war.

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written by TheBBPS.com (Bits, Bytes, Pixe, February 03, 2009

[...] game features graphics reminiscent of SNES-era Final Fantasy games, with beautiful cut-scenes between the half-minute gameplay. The cutesy graphics mixed with [...]