Few games of this entire console generation are has highly-anticipated as Final Fantasy XIII. As one of the biggest entries in the series and the first multi-platform one (not counting the online-only Final Fantasy XI), Final Fantasy XIII has an almost incalculable amount of hype to live up to. While the game still remains largely shrouded in mystery, Square-Enix has released some clear gameplay footage from the game which showcases the new battle system.

Wednesday, Square-Enix released a new trailer for the much-anticipated game on the game's official website, showcasing for the first time actual, watchable gameplay footage. The company's fans will note that this typically marks a significant milestone for the development of a Final Fantasy game, as Square-Enix has long been protective of its games' battle systems.

While the video shows but two dozen or so seconds of footage, forums were alight yesterday night as gamers around the world speculated and discussed the new system-and we couldn't help but get caught up in the dissection. We've gone over the video a few times and have attempted to break down the battle system.

In a very real way, it appears that Final Fantasy XIII is actually a major regression from Final Fantasy XII in terms of battle system-and that's something a lot of fans are already ecstatic about. For those who don't recall, FFXII eschewed the time-tested ATB system for one more akin to an MMORPG. From the limited footage released so far, it's clear that FFXIII brings the series back to its roots-at least to a certain extent.

I say "to a certain extent" because, upon closer examination, there are a few telltale areas where the battle system of XIII actually bears a resemblance to the one Final Fantasy game that was perhaps the most detested: Final Fantasy X-2. If any other system is to be considered the predecessor or perhaps inspiration for XIII's, it looks to be X-2's.

Before we get into that comparison, though, take a look at the screenshot below. This shot, captured from the trailer, illustrates the basics of the game's interface and gives some clear visual clues about how battles play out in FFXIII. First and foremost, note the return of the ATB bars: this particular shot showcases a battle with three characters, two of which have not yet been revealed. Each character has a certain amount of HP, noted with the small number above the bar (much like Final Fantasy VIII) and an ATB meter. When this bar is full, the user can input commands. What does that mean? Well, it means that the game has returned to a more traditional, albeit still extremely fast-paced, turn-based system. In spite of the new graphics, the actual battle system banks on the fundamentals established by the series over the last decade and beyond.

This article appears in Jan 28 – Feb 3, 2009.