Cloud Strife’s “Soldier 1st Class” uniform from Final Fantasy VII will be available as a pre-order bonus for Lightning in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, Square Enix has announced.
The add-on includes Cloud Strife’s legendary Buster Sword, the Soldier’s Band, victory fanfare, and finishing animation from Final Fantasy VII. Specific abilities will also come with the weapon, which will be announced at a later date.
European fans will also obtain the Lightning Samurai Set, also included with pre-orders. This offers Lightning three exclusive samurai outfits, as well as the Shogun, Sohei Savior, and Flower of Battle items.
Outside of early purchase bonuses, Square Enix revealed the return of Hope Estheim, who’s shrunk back to a child from his previous appearance as an adult for some reason.
Hope stays inside the Ark, where time does not flow, and provides Lightning with support and navigation. The Ark was built by Hope inside the artificial Cocoon. When inside, Lightning can replenish her supplies, talk to Hope, and doesn’t need to worry about the world’s life span decreasing. After she’s wrapped up, she can return to the world of Nova Chrysalia.
Also in the Ark is a sacred tree called Yggdrasil. Known as the “Tree of Life,” it gets taller as you offer more “Radiant Power” to it, thus increasing the world’s life span (max 13 days). When in-game time hits 6:00, Lightning returns to the Ark. When she returns, she offers the “Radiant Power” she earned that day to the sacred tree Yggdrasil.
Watch a trailer for the Cloud costume below. View a new set of screenshots at the gallery.
