Final Fantasy XIII: Lightning Returns (PS3/360)

I didn't have a lot of hands-on time with the third installment of Final Fantasy XIII, but it was enough to understand that this game plays vastly different from its two previous incarnations. Lightning Returns is aptly named, as it features only Lightning herself as a playable character; there is no party system. Instead, Lightning can switch between job classes at the touch of a button, being a damage dealer one second and her own healer the next. The ATB system is still in place from previous games, as each attack and ability for each job class uses up a set amount of points on the ATB gauge, which takes some time to recharge, essentially forcing you to switch to another job class while you wait. It was much more fast-paced than I'm used to in XIII, but it's not an unwelcome change. I disliked being essentially forced to switch job classes when I didn't need to though, but that could just be from my irritation at having to switch from Dragoon, which I love and would play as all the time if possible. It was very reminiscent of X-2's battle system, and I think once you get used to it, Final Fantasy XIII: Lightning Returns will be a very fun, much more action-oriented entry into the Final Fantasy series.

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD (PS3/Vita)

Being as this is an HD remaster of two classic PS2 games, there really isn't all that much to say about them and their gameplay beyond how they look, and boy do they look nice. Both games have received a wonderful graphical overhaul, but for some reason FFX looks noticeably better than X-2. It would seem that Square spent their time and money on the more loved of the two games (although X-2 has always been vastly under-appreciated in my opinion). Both games are being released on the PS3 & Vita, and will support the standard PS3/Vita cross-saving inter-connectivity.

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call (3DS)

As this game also falls under the remake/sequel category, there's not a lot to say about it unfortunately. It plays exactly the same as the first Theatrhythm, just with more songs and characters, including ones from Final Fantasy XIV and Lightning Returns, both of which weren't out when the first game was released (well, XIV was, but we don't talk about that dark time before it was scrapped and remade). It really seems like more of an expansion pack than an actual sequel, but I loved the first game enough that I will probably still pick it up. In the demo they had at TGS, I was able to play the Final Fantasy XIV theme song and One Winged Angel from Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, which was awesome. While Curtain Call hasn't been officially announced for the States yet, I imagine it will most likely come out. If you haven't picked up Theatrhythm yet but have been meaning to, it might be a good idea to wait and see when/if Curtain Call will make it across the sea... and if you haven't picked up Theatrhythm at all and you are any sort of Final Fantasy/music game fan, then you owe it to yourself to get it.