After a bit of a wait, Square Enix finally released its follow-up to 2010’s Final Fantasy XIII, the appropriately titled Final Fantasy XIII-2. And, with its release, Square Enix has decided to announce plans for downloadable content.
In addition to Coliseum Battles, which pit the player against characters from previous Final Fantasy titles who can be recruited into the player’s party, Square Enix also plans to release downloadable episodes to further enhance the storyline of the game. However, whether the new episodes will rule out any further sequels to FFXIII is unknown at this time.
The first batch of DLC, the “Lightning and Master Sergeant Amodar” Colliseum Battle, is set for release for February 7th, with more DLC details to follow at a later date.
Stay tuned for our own review of FFXIII-2 and check out Square Enix’s full press release below.
SQUARE ENIX, INC. ANNOUNCES FINAL FANTASY® XIII-2 NOW AVAILABLE AT RETAILERS
Downloadable Content Will Include Lightning Coliseum Battle on Feb. 7
LOS ANGELES (Jan. 31, 2012) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas today announced FINAL FANTASY® XIII-2 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system is now available at retailers.
FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 has already received critical acclaim from media. The game surpasses the quality of its predecessor in every way, featuring new gameplay systems, cutting-edge visuals and audio. In this game, players have the freedom to choose from a range of possibilities and paths; their choices affect not only the immediate environment, but even shape time and space.
“…playing FFXIII-2 will restore your excitement for the franchise’s future.”
-Official Xbox Magazine, February 2012 (9/10, Editors’ Choice Award)
“…Final Fantasy XIII-2 makes a great sequel.”
-GamesRadar.com (9/10)
“It’s fun, packed with content, and made me feel that old Final Fantasy magic again.”
-Machinima (9/10)
SQUARE ENIX also announced that extensive downloadable content is planned for FINAL FANTASY® XIII-2. The planned content includes Coliseum Battles pitting the player against adversaries from previous FINAL FANTASY titles that, when defeated, can be recruited into the player’s party. The Coliseum battle “Lightning and Master Sergeant Amodar” will be distributed on February 7. In addition, there will be episodes which enhance the experience and complement the narrative of FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 with storyline branches for key characters in the story.
Full details on each piece of content will be revealed at a later date.
FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 Key Features
A New Tale Awaits
FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 will reveal further events from the amazing mythology as presented in the originalFINAL FANTASY XIII. The story is written in a way that it can still be enjoyed without playing the previous title.
Larger, More Interactive Environments
Places with multiple pathways to explore and many secrets to find offer players the chance to shape their own adventure.
Time Travel – A New Dimension of Exploration
The situation, scenery, flora, fauna and weather conditions all change, depending on when you visit locations. Untangling the threads of time is essential to experience the full story.
Enhanced Battle System
New elements, such as visually dynamic Cinematic Action sequences and the Mog Clock that rewards players for their actions, create further variety and choice for the player.
Master of Monsters
A wide variety of more than 150 different monsters inhabiting the game world can be recruited into the player’s party and battle strategy, with each creature having unique and devastating special abilities.
ABOUT FINAL FANTASY
Since the release of FINAL FANTASY in 1987, this unique RPG series continues to showcase the spectacular visuals, highly imaginative worlds and rich stories leading the industry and earning the highest accolades from users around the world. Titles of the series have so far achieved a cumulative shipment of over 100 million units worldwide (as of June 2011).
Title: FINAL FANTASY XIII-2
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 system
Genre: RPG
Release date: January 31, 2012
MSRP: $59.99
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Website: http://na.square-enix.com/
Related Links
FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 Official Homepage: http://na.square-enix.com/
FINAL FANTASY XIII-2’s Official Facebook® Page: http://www.facebook.com/
Follow FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 on Twitter®: http://twitter.com/
About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix Group. The Square Enix Group operates a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 100 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 59 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.