Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Strikes In Feb 2014

Just in time for E3, Square-Enix has released a new trailer and a release date for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, the third and (supposedly) final chapter in the saga. To celebrate, they've also released a new trailer for the game, now set to release on February 11, 2014.

For those of you who don't have two minutes to spare in order to watch the trailer for yourself, allow me to summarize: End of the world, emo dialogue, sliding down a hill, GIANT CACTuAR STATUE!, spear made out of ice, emo dialogue, fade to title.

Square-Enix's Senior Product Manager, Amritz Lay, dropped by the PlayStation Blog this morning to deliver the good news that the latest chapter in the Final Fantasy XIII saga will be here before you know it. That is, of course, assuming that you are prone to frequent lengthy blackouts because, by “before you know it,” I actually mean early next-damn-year.

So maybe Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII won't be here until Feb. 11 of 2014, but that doesn't mean you'll be Final Fantasy-less for almost another year. FFXIV: A Realm Reborn is due out this fall, an HD remake of FFX and X2 is headed down the pipeline and Square-Eniq is touting E3 as the place they will reveal the future of the series. So who knows what news they've got in store, right?

As for Lightning Returns, Lay at least gives us some idea of what we can look forward to in 2014.

“In typical Final Fantasy fashion, Lightning Returns features insane monsters, abilities and spells,” Lay said. “We'll be revealing much more in the coming months, so stay tuned.”

And did I mention the massive cactaur statue? That alone makes the game worth a look-see.