Square announces Final Fantasy XIII-2 release dates

Square Enix has been hinting at release dates for Final Fantasy XIII-2 for going on several months now, both for Japan and abroad, but now, thanks to an announcement from a Tokyo Game Show event, we won’t have to be teased any longer.

First off, Japan will, surprise surprise, be getting the game first on December 15. Before you go out and start saving cash for an import, those of us in North America won’t have to wait much longer; Final Fantasy XIII-2 is due out in North America on January 31, and Europe gets it a few days later on February 3. The sequel will release on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Set three years after the events of Final Fantasy XIII, Serah is set off on a quest to find her sister, Lightning, who is thought to be dead after she up and disappears. Several characters will be making a return in the sequel, including a newly-revealed appearance from Snow and Hope, but the focal point of the story will be on Serah, her companion Noel, and Lightning.

Beyond the addition of new playable characters, Final Fantasy XIII-2 also introduces a number of new gameplay mechanics and improvements such as dialogue trees (or “Live Trigger”, as they call it), improved combat, and more.

With Final Fantasy XIII-2, Square Enix has something to prove. Fans criticized Final Fantasy XIII for its autopilot combat mechanics, and then there was that mess of a story. My hopes aren’t particularly high for the sequel, but I don’t suppose it could be much worse, could it?

via Siliconera