[Valigarmander]

New Details on Final Fantasy XIII Weapon Upgrade System

Even after finally revealing the March 9 North American release date, Square Enix is still figuring out ways to slowly drip new Final Fantasy XIII information seemingly every week. This week, Shonen Jump (via Andriasang) has provided some new details on the weapons upgrade system that'll be featured in the game, as players will evidently improve a character's weapon into entirely new forms.

According to the somewhat light details, players will gather certain materials over the course of the game that can be used for weapon upgrading. There will be over 100 different kinds of such materials, and the right combinations will allow weapons to gain experience and upgrade into new forms.

Two examples were provided for the weapons of two party members. First is Lightning's sword, which starts off as "Blaze Edge" but with the right modifications can become the improved "Slash Carbine." Second is Snow's weapon, which apparently is just a coat, but with the right modifications the coat's stats not only improve but its patterns and colors change altogether.

From the sound of it, the weapons upgrade system sounds like a combination of a similar weapon upgrade system seen way back in Final Fantasy VIII, and, if you think about it, kind of like the way you evolved MAGs in Phantasy Star Online. It's not clear, though, whether upgrading is the only way to get new weapons (as it was in FFVIII) or if you'll be able to purchase/find new weapons as well.

Now be sure to tune back in next week, when Square Enix will no doubt reveal the system for purchasing items in FFXIII's shops, or something or other.