Final Fantasy XIII now available in North America

An unlucky number for some but not for North America as the 13th instalment in the series ships stateside today. Available on both PS3 and Xbox 360 Final Fantasy XIII has been created by a team of veterans of the series, and ushers in a new era for the franchise.

The series which started 20 years ago evolves with each new game; “With an innovative battle system, groundbreaking visuals and an intriguing cast of characters, Final Fantasy XIII is the ultimate RPG package, and we are thrilled that players around the world can finally experience the game firsthand” says John Yamamoto President and CEO of Square Enix.

The games takes place in a utopia in the sky, Cocoon (nope not Laputa), and like all good utopias has been living in peace and tranquillity for many years until an evil Fal’Cie spoils it all by cursing humans and turning them into magic wielding servants. These servants then have a choice to do as they’re told or face a positively nasty death, and they choose the latter as after thirteen days of slavery the battle begins.

New features of the game include; the Active Time Battle System where players can execute multiple attacks in one turn, Paradigm – a feature which will let players reassign their teams roles during battle and Gestalt Mode which allows characters and their Eidolons to fight as one dealing big damage.

Final Fantasy XIII is available now and there’s an added bonus if you’re a Leona Lewis fan (because gamers really love Pop Idol winners right? *rolls eyes*) as the game feature her new song “My Hands”.