sazhfans | Final Fantasy XIII-2 Has Other New Characters Besides Noel

Noel joins the Final Fantasy XIII cast as the main character of Final Fantasy XIII-2. But he won't be the only major new character in the game. In an interview in this week's Famitsu (summed up at Sokuho), art director Isamu Kamikokuryo reveals that there will be other new "main characters" besides Noel.

It's unclear what Kamikokuryo means by "main" characters, as the game's producer and director have said that the story will center on Noel and Serah, the two characters who were playable in the E3 demo. At the very least, it looks like we can expect some additional major additions to the cast. Characters from the original FFXIII will be returning as well, of course. Kamikokuryo said that players will be able to see slightly grown up versions of the past characters, and how they're now living.

Kamikokuryo's discussion also shed a few additional details on who's working on FFXIII-2, along with some additional hints about the game:

The staff remains mostly the same from the original.
Tetsuya Nomura handled designs for the characters' faces while the bodies and clothing were handled by other FF series art directors.
The character shown standing back-to-back with Lightning in the game's original January trailer was designed by Yusuke Naora.
The enemies that appear in the Neo Bodham area are a new category of enemy that are neither from Cocoon nor Pulse. They're designed by lead art designer Toshitaka Matsuda.
There is a common pattern that appears on Lightning's shield and Serah's clothing. When playing the game, you'll find out why the pattern is the same.
A number of people submitted Moogle designs, but in the end they went with Matsuda's design. Matsuda also designed Lightning's sword, NPCs, new monsters, backgrounds, and the summons which appear in a different form from the original.
Similar to the original, Lightning's sword can transform between gun and sword.
The game's maps weren't finalized from the start this time. Instead, they're letting the staff fill the maps with ideas for things like short-cuts and so-forth. They're letting the staff be free to do trial and error in this area.
Because of the tight production schedule, they didn't have much time for pre production. They didn't even have enough time to do much in the way of setting drawings. In some cases, they used photographs and other resources to explain things. Looking at the bright side, Kamikokuryo said that this actually made it easier to get the point across, and allowed them to change their approach to direction.

Additional news from upcoming famitsu from gamenyusu:

There is an interview with Isamu Kamikokuryo Art director of FF13 on the latest issue Famitsu :

When asked: There are many places that were deleted on FF13, will those deleted to be include on FF13-2?
Isamu: It won't come out like the original, however we will use it effectively.
Cities and towns will increase?
Isamu: YES. There are variety of town this time.
Other details included...?

Toriyama requested the design of Lighting and Serah to be sexy. There are some meaning of the same symbol on Lighting's shield and Serah's cloth.

More from Famitsu (beware Google Translated Errors):

Overcoming the sequel:
"FFXIII-2 to Pick a new hero, would be a story we紐解I mysterious " Final Fantasy XIII-2 ". For the concept and its battle system, and Toriyama says he spoke to take the helm of the production Kitase. Paper June 30, 2011 issue of Weekly Famitsu (released June 16, 2011) was published in the staff interview, the full version.

Noel and the world spins a tale aimed at the reconstruction Sera ■:
- " FFXIII-2 "is the story, what with the concept look like? Toriyama request (hereinafter, Toriyama ) "Prayer for the play" is the keyword. There was the earthquake in March, " FFXIII-2 "also starts with the fall of the cocoon. How the world is going to reconstruction, to paint seriously. Serra and Noel, we are facing or what the theme playing in the world. - " FFXIII-2 "So what's the world in any situation? Toriyama　Cocoon has been supported by pillars of crystal, so that power is lost Fal'cie is also difficult to maintain it. I lot of people's live in a cocoon that still rely on the power of the original Fal'cie "Nora," including folks at the lower bound and went down to try to develop the Grand-pulse. The pulse is often ground-monster, I do not have the state board is still very stable life. - That was pioneered at the center of the members of Nora, "Neobodamu" So you that. In equilibrium, so is falling meteorite? Toriyama　meteorite collision, the beginning of the story becomes. World closer to us than would have been easy to imagine the introduction of the story.

- In this work " FFXIII "followed by, what becomes important and the presence of luciferase and Fal'cie? Toriyama　-based world view because it says in the previous work, we are changing direction. The more universal, "mysterious" is a story going on. Also, " FFXIII "was hard, but there were opinions that the term is understandable, but this time it has been dispelled. Noel is living with a common ground-not familiar Cocoon and Pulse, the main character is standing close to the player's position. " FFXIII-2 "because the story is drawn from his vantage point," FFXIII "It is easy to enter and who do not even play the. - Noel is likely for the secret .... What a hero he is called? Keihanna Kitase (the Kitase ), Noel " FF "dark, man is a legitimate hero. Going to pull the main story is the Serra him.

Toriyama　Noel is a man of the Grand-Pulse, the nativity is a bit special. Noel has lived in the world, he was spending every day as a hunter to hunt demons. Under the harsh environment, but because I lived alone, "protecting people" is a strong intention. Snow too much heat, without obtrusively (laughs). Lightning is different and has the mental strength. - Lightning is "dead" but it is said, what's true? Kitase　, where you can not talk yet, " Episode I "( novel published in the official site. " FFXIII "after the events depicted ending) would be appreciated Imagine reading a lot. Toriyama　Lightning is the person behind the backbone of the story. Anyway you will still appear, it may operate.

- The Luciferase allows agents but no longer summon Odin, which is also Noel, and can use magic, It is often a mystery. Toriyama　It is a mystery (laughs). Magical skills sets, and the change in effect ending the previous incident occurred. - Meanwhile, Serra sister is finally manipulate characters, sexy costumes (laughs). Toriyama　could taste Naomi costume? (Laughs). Lightning is not because she is fighting yourself, you must go to overcome the situation. - Weapons of Serra, which is that they were transforming the Moogle? Toriyama　's right. The Moogle will, I've been keeping the sera. As the main weapon is a bow and sword deformation. In battle, the attackers to attack as Noel, Serra is an image that supports it. This time we are going to be big success Moogle. In Moogle also tells us to sense the position of the enemy in the field, because the "Chocobo Clock" system that. - Moogle is also to design novel, quite shocked (laughs).

Toriyama　past " FF "There are various changes of the Moogle. " FFXIII "in the world but had not appeared much Moogle, there is also set to them, and asked to play the game until near the end, it may find. - Speaking of which, even though the fiance of Serra Snow, traveling with Noel ...?　Toriyama　actually ... (Gonyogonyo). - E Well for example? Why? Kitase　'll leave to your imagination (laughs). In previous work, but the relationship was drawn and sera Snow, this sister is the main relationship. Also, " FFX "from" FFX-2 "digit is not a form of tea, such as when crawling (laughs)," FFXIII "characters that appeared in the world out there was in serious condition so you do not think there should be appreciated and look forward to.

■ If the player can actively intervene in, the search for factors lots:
- In the ROM has been exhibited at E3試遊are rich in part gimmick discovery events occur more and more impressed. Toriyama　previous game story-driven (focus on story structure, the things we are moved by it), now a player-driven (focus on players' actions, structural things we are moved by it) has become, The players are actively searching, an event occurred that we take action, and there is a variety of choices to make. - Indeed, by choosing your options, how to capture conversations of a comeback, and bosses, players were able to decide. Toriyama　introduced this "live" Trigger system that. Boss about the cheats, look valid to you fellow monsters, or weaken the opponent by using a gimmick, such as whether to break up the loom again on its own level, there are several ways. Progress as well as a branch, by choosing your own comeback conversation, if you are able to empathize. - Insertion of a short cut scene like a giant hand to sweep in during the search, there is tension. Toriyama　"live event" is called, is a production that emphasizes realism. This is a " FFXIII "than the events Purirenda does not use you, but almost real time. By the way, lets move the camera during the event. -

That is also looking for a sexy shot of the Serra! Toriyama,　I can (laughs). Now ... this is just a specification of ROM development, play log (record players' actions), I have taken. For example, players can tell where the camera is looking (laughs). Of course, it is a bonus feature, play logs, game balance adjustments and specifically "bad part" to help them to extract. Fix to play the next test it ... and repeat the process because it has improved the overall quality. Kitase　have them playing like a month and test the internal player, the situation is that I always incorporate their feedback. Human-productions, also features interviews have been played by people-person. In a manner not take a simple questionnaire such as paper, and I have continued to leverage the voice of adjustment. - The more. I have over time I sit down and adjust to. So what maps are underway to produce a concept like? Toriyama　, as there are ups and downs of a game, adding a significant element in the dungeon puzzles, has built more as a game to enjoy. Noel is looking for the Lightning and Sera, "gate" to the various places I go through, you will find a journey with a key to open the gate. - In the process, more and more sounds like to talk to NPC. Toriyama　is coming out a little cocoon, where the players go in Grand-pulse is mainly, if the NPC in most cases, speak in full voice. In addition to auto-talk approach and start talking to people more important to talk to head "TALK" If out of the Icon is a form of self talk.

The album "Auto Clip" (" FFXIII "terms and can confirm the settings, menu items in the game) to reduce the portion was kept in, we will supplement the information in a conversation with one of the city. Kitase　NPC's do not act autonomously in AI, has gone out from everyday life. If you have a monster hit with a gun, can also be seen that the escape scene. - " FFXIII "was戻Renakatta place was regrettable that once passed, is what we do? Toriyama　get back in the system. Freedom of discovery, it has been quite high. - Incidentally, in previous work in a manner that the direction is fixed or not fixed in the navigation map was facing north, and Italy is able to jump on the field, not in small part to significant adjustments ranging I'll trout. Toriyama　's right. There was only one map navigation patterns has several methods to choose the north just like car navigation systems and fixing.

The interface is just fine in general are reviewed. In battle, such as more clearly expressed when the break has been adjusted. ─ - When I hear a story that seems to focus on assessment of previous work and opinion? Kitase　, including Japan, because of different opinions around the world that promotion, it has been cherished. Open your world is suddenly not just because I do not (laughs). " FFXIII "while Brazil is out, we would like to enhance the completeness of a game more. Search area, particularly as Toriyama said, as well as relief maps, or have their own action by the user reaction, I want to take care of that part of the story and go involved.

ach roll ■ (role) has a monster to grow:
─ -伺Imasu for battle. If any state not from the enemy, as its predecessor, and the reason was that the system is approaching Encounter appear? Toriyama　preparation strategy from the beginning that the monster can be seen, because the tension goes away, we changed to this way. Element itself is also a search engine that counts with monsters found in the game quickly when the appearance of monsters. In order to identify fellow creatures, I also find the play area and habitat. - Fellow monsters to fight together, and adopted a system of surprised me. Toriyama　is because you play a combination of a more strategic role. Monster, I have decided that the role of each type. Roll the monster, if you clear the operation of the character roles with more personality, there are some extreme sense.

By incorporating a monster, it has a unique organization allows. Japanese version of "Optima change" from a "paradigm shift" has been renamed. Kitase　paradigm shift is an image I like fighting games with different card decks. To supplement the roles of the monsters, even if the attacker as a different kind of monster, I tussle different types. Role in the "style" has something to say and has been subdivided in the same role. For example, the attacker is the role of the principal attack, or to destroy the enemy one by one body, how the direction of a battle or attack multiple enemies targeting range, will depend on the style. - What style of user choice? Kitase　monster can not select which style you have decided so. Conversely, choose a monster with a preferred style, incorporating members fight, and I play it. - The same mechanism operate in character? Kitase　I get involved and growth factors, please wait for more follow-up (laughs). - Growth of the system itself, or is it different from previous work? Kitase　thallium taste is close to Chris's previous work will be an evolution to it.

- The more. Getting back to the monster, and I appreciated about the mortal if they go out. Toriyama　" FFXIII "was triggered when summoned by the" drive mode "is equivalent to. Additional operations after the fire is not just the wind action, there are various types. Monster also depends on how you gauge the necessary reservoir of fire, I want to find an easy to use your own monsters. You can select one monster from whose name was provided, it can be named. ─ - it is so fond of spring. The ROM試遊, If you put the crystal in hand after the battle, so I could throw in a monster. Toriyama　's right. Defeating the monster, but not necessarily, may be the crystal. Get it if you can be friends.

- So What's the disposable monster? Kitase　however, are not disposable. It has an element involving crystal growth. Able to more than 150 fellow creatures, each has a mortal. Also that complete the monster I become one of the fun. - What degree of difficulty of the battle be? In previous work, and was difficult to hear voices. Toriyama　" FFXIII-2 "because it focused on strategic play and incorporate a monster, too easily楽Shimemasen. Firmly on the basics explained, aims to balance resilient. Also equipped with Easy Mode, we are considering.

Story ●, search, plenty of new elements in addition to Battle:
- In addition, is an important element available? Toriyama　doing I write element. " FFXIII-2 "is a story about 40 hours to clear, if you can play it on a new circular form, you can enjoy again and again. This is a "strong new game" is a different system. Then, we have increased the number of mini-games. Kitase　" FFXIII "element in such a place called本筋through the thinner one is, this really is packed with variety. - Download content? Kitase　is under positive consideration. - Expand the PS Vita絡Meta is what do you think? Kitase　it, yet I am not thinking. - When Japanese users play, or will be when? Kitase　試遊in the form of, I think that Tokyo Game Show. Toriyama　Until then, its predecessor will be released on July 21, 2011 " Ultimate Hits "(Bargain Edition.

PlayStation 3 version of 3990 yen for both Xbox360 [tax]) and to be appreciated while playing forward. Kitase　" Ultimate Hits "at launch, and free updates are carried out on PlayStation 3 Easy mode is applied. It also applies to the normal version, I was frustrated with the previous work harder, please use us. - Finally, please comment for the user. Kitase　unsatisfactory in the previous section was eliminated, was the most popular has been upgraded to play deeper. I enjoy drama as well as a game, please stay tuned. Toriyama　is currently in development at about 70%, production is proceeding smoothly. Noel feels the strength of the core is cool male characters. A day to see him, Please look forward to.