Lightning Returns Time Mechanic Enhances Game's Longevity?
See Full ImageAs some of you already know, there will be a time mechanic in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. Exactly how it works hasn't been determined yet, but we have plenty of hints.
During a recent 4Gamer interview (as cited by Kotaku), designer Motomu Toriyama reiterated that the adventure will span 13 days. Once 13 full days have passed, the game ends, apparently regardless of your progress.
The interesting part is that Square Enix hasn't yet decided on how long to make each day; i.e., how long it would take the player in real-time. They're considering 1-2 hours, which would put the game at the 20-25 hour mark, right? Now, you can extend the in-game clock by doing various things, including beating enemies and completing quests. Furthermore, due to the game's structure, how you utilize the time available to you will result in different play-throughs if you opt for multiple experiences. You'll even see different cut-scenes depending on your decisions. This should greatly boost longevity and replayability, yes?
Toriyama did say we won't be able to see everything in only one play-through, which should give people incentive to keep playing after beating the game once. ...however, this time constraint thing bugs the ever-loving sh** out of me, and I have a feeling other RPG fans feel the same way.
Related Game(s): Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII
Tags: lightning returns final fantasy xiii, lightning returns ffxiii, lightning returns details
12/3/2012 11:11:15 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (21 posts)
daus26
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 11:52:33 AM
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Then again, if this game does have a bunch of side quests and opportunities to stall the time, maybe we won't feel as rushed as we think it might?
Last edited by daus26 on 12/3/2012 11:55:23 AM
3 up, 0 down
homura
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 11:53:35 AM
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It reminds of the movie with Johnny Depp " In The Nick Of Time". I wonder if this game can give a feeling of intensity like in that movie.
0 up, 0 down
thedaini
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 12:16:59 PM
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1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 1:06:36 PM
0 up, 0 down
Zeronoz
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 8:53:34 PM
1 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 12:18:18 PM
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Who want's to race against deadlines in video games? I do enough of that every day as it is between school and work =)
6 up, 0 down
Knightzane
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 12:27:43 PM
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3 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 1:09:13 PM
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Hell I'll still play it, but not new and probably used so they don't get any of my money for doing this.
What good is it if I can't linger around fighting enemies and checking out the world? This is such bullsh*t. I've been replaying XIII because I needed something actiony and mindless and it's crazy to think it could have gone down hill from there and yet the rolling calamity rolls on.
1 up, 0 down
cLoudou
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 1:27:06 PM
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 2:13:17 PM
0 up, 0 down
cLoudou
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 1:29:19 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Ultimadream
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 1:52:36 PM
0 up, 1 down
duomaxwell007
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 2:09:57 PM
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point being Im sure FF13-3 will be beatable just fine by everyone without them feeling like they need to race against the clock to do it
0 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 2:14:55 PM
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I'll play this game once, then find the rest on youtube.
0 up, 0 down
Ninja_WafflesXD
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 2:24:34 PM
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It's not so much the time mechanics (I loved Majora's Mask) but the implementation is what could break it. (1-2 hours per day? No thanks).
And what's this? 20-25 hours? I remember a time when I would spend double or triple that time on one playthrough with a FF game.
It's official. I'm buying it used.
0 up, 0 down
tes37
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 6:03:09 PM
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inFamous was the only exception, in recent memory, where I didn't find timed events as annoying. It's probably because it wasn't used much.
1 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 8:31:43 PM
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The idea of a time challenge that basically encompasses the entire game makes me physically ill.
The idea of a time challenge that basically encompasses an entire Final Fantasy makes me so depressed I want to cry.
4 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 9:51:19 PM
0 up, 0 down
Dreno
Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 10:08:01 PM
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Wtf square, wtf...?
What the hell happened?
Atleast they got it right with the kh series, the main games, and little branch-off connecting games.
Seriously, I put in 60+ in kh1, on proud mode, beating all the bosses-including the phantom of neverland, kurt zhisa, AND sephiroth, locking all the keyholes, and gathering all the dalmations.
I put in 25-30 hours on each of the 3 characters in birth by sleep on proud mode, and getting the secret endings, and so far I've amassed 40+ hours in kh:358/2 days, AND THERE'S NOTHING extra to do really. Maybe get the sigils and all the chests. Plus I've got 12 houra logged on re-chain of memories.
Hopefully the time mechanic will increase longevity of lighting returns, for the people who buy/rent and play it, otherwise its almost like they're getting shafted.
If people can't sink ATLEAST 40 hours in this game start to finish, not including little side missions or what have you, I call shenanagins.
0 up, 0 down
LowKey
Tuesday, December 04, 2012 @ 12:26:17 AM
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0 up, 3 down
BikerSaint
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Monday, December 03, 2012 @ 11:39:32 AM
I'd rather set my own pace so I can soak in the whole game & everything else that it has to offer.