Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

The best price point on the planet is the one that doesn’t exist at all, so Square Enix is going to lavish you with complimentary gifts for merely giving PlayStation 3 sequel Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII a shot. The title – which is set to hit Western shores as early as next month – is poised to receive a demo this week, and the Japanese publisher wants to reward you for copying it to your console of choice.

The taster will comprise a hearty chunk of content from the main campaign, as you set out in search of the well groomed Snow Villiers in the city of Yusnaan. In addition to providing a sample of the new sandbox-esque structure, it will also allow you to get to grips with the refreshed battle system, and will enable you to customise your pink haired protagonist in a variety of ways. If all of that sounds like a lot, we’re only just getting warmed up.

Given the mixed reactions to the previous entries in the Fabula Nova Crystallis story arc, the firm is also giving away a free outfit for anyone that downloads the demo. The Utsusemi Samurai garb will be compatible with the full game, and won’t be available anywhere else. Neither will the Final Fantasy VI-inspired Siegfried attire, which will be awarded to anyone that completes the teaser and shares their progress through the title's in-game social application Outerworld.

By our clunky calculations, that’s a total of two free costumes for anyone that sees the sampler through to its conclusion. Alright, technically you’re going to need to purchase the full game to take them for a spin, but we get the distinct impression that the abovementioned company’s counting on this demo to convince you to grab it on release day. Are you gradually getting hyped for the impending adventure, or are you tired of Lightning and crew? Strike us down in the comments section below.

[source blog.us.playstation.com]