[Glam Grimfire]

There's been some talk that the FFXIII engine isn't up to par with rendering expansive areas, and that as a result, Lightning Returns locations and exploration suffer.
I don't think this could be further from the truth - what the games engine Isn't good at handling is the kind of massive, open areas that are expected of traditional sandbox RPG's.
I'm only one area into the game so far (The city of Luxor) and Luxor is one of the neatest looking cities I've explored this console generation. It's a muddy, decrepit city bordering on outright Gothic in architecture that is equal parts slum and Victorian-era fanaticism.
It uses the traditional 'next gen' darker palette coloration to great effect and is actually a pretty believable fantasy/sci-fi city.
NPC's might occasionally stumble around, or break into a run to nowhere, but it's hardly noticeable and has kind of an odd, endearing charm.
The way they made Lightning more mobile especially fits the first area, because Luxor is a pretty dynamic, multi tiered location that brings to mind the kind of maze-like charm that Midgar had in FFVII. I like it, basically!
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##SKELETON PARTY (new article as of 04/26/14)Grim