Warning: This article is spoiler-heavy for the game. You have been warned.
Like the title says, I finally got to play a bit more of Final Fantasy: Lightning Returns. Fortunately, I remembered key things - like Lightning having to save everyone and seeing a mysterious figure in the shadows. Like the previous installment there was a handy recap. (Which I didn't need, but it is a nice touch.)
Upon starting the game again for the first time in weeks, I was almost immediately put on a stealth-follow mission. Fortunately, there was no major penalty for being spotted a few times, which I was. This lead into a lengthy (for me at least) session of hunting down four secret numbers to access the hideout of the villainous followers of Etro. Just who is this mysterious Shadow Hunter? Why does he want Lightning dead? More importantly, where is Caius? Welp, by the end of the gaming session, I had a clear answer to at least one of those questions.
It was fun to explore Luxerion for a bit. I even dallied around the North Station because of the great track that plays there. However, as some events (like entering certain places) are time-dependent, I couldn't do too much. Or could I? I found myself with a bit of time, waiting to enter the hideout of the villains. Well, I say villains, but I should probably just say antagonists for now. Who knows what crazy twist might happen down the road...
Anyway! Finding the first two numbers was easy. I simply found one, and got one from a kid in a side-quest. I must admit, I had to consult a walk through to find the last two... After entering the lair, and running past some really scary looking monsters, Lightning was finally able to prevent an innocent pink-haired girl from being murdered. And who is the Shadow Hunter, you may ask? None other than Noel, deuteragonist of the previous game.
Some confusion sets in, now. No, Noel hasn't gone so bad as to kill innocent people, and the fanatics took things too far. But why is he giving in to the prophecies that he previously flouted? Five-hundred years is a long time, but Noel managed to stay positive in the face of being the last person on Earth. Why give in now? He departs, reminding Lightning that they would face again in a mortal battle. Also, where is Caius?
I've also remembered the fact that side-quests are what actually make you "level up." We'll see how that mechanic works out for me.
Stay tuned, but don't hold your breath. It might be a few weeks.
