The DLC for FFXIII-2

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The DLC for FFXIII-2

he landscape of the modern console video game has changed so much in the last ten years, with the revenue stream of games also changing.  It used to be the box price that represented the sole income for game publishers, but the introduction of Downloadable Content (DLC) changed the basic equation.  That addition to gaming has some controversy associated with it, particularly when a game developer includes DLC content in the main release and then sells the DLC in the form of codes that unlock the content already on the game disc, a development that has been met with hostility by many gamers who do not feel that it is a fair way to sell added game content, but most gamers agree that expanding games via DLC is still a good thing.

In the case of Final Fantasy XIII-2 the types of DLC available spans the entire spectrum, with the traditional expansion content, plus new special weapons, armor and outfits, accessories, and added battles for the arena.  As of press time the following DLC has been released for the game (some of which was originally released as pre-order bonus content):

Arriving at Serendipity AF??? Gate

-- Coliseum Battles DLC --

-- A Study in Elegant Death (240 MSP / $2.99) - DLC that makes Jihl Nabaat appear within the Coliseum to fight (available after Episode 2). She can be recruited into Serah and Noel's party once beaten.

-- Bringer of the End (240 MSP / $2.99) - Face the dreaded Omega in the Coliseum! Use the crystals of defeated foes to summon them as allies in battle.

-- Clash on the Big Bridge (320 MSP / $3.99) - DLC that makes Gilgamesh of Final Fantasy V appear within the Coliseum to fight.

-- Operation XIII-2 (240 MSP / $2.99) - Face Lightning and Lieutenant Amodar in the Coliseum! Use the crystals of defeated foes to summon them as allies in battle. The Coliseum appears in the Historia Crux (available from Episode 2 onwards).

-- Take Me to Your Leader (160 MSP / $1.99) - DLC that makes PuPu of Final Fantasy VIII appear within the Coliseum to fight.

-- Uninvited Invertebrate (320 MSP / $3.99) - DLC that makes Ultros of Final Fantasy VI appear in the Coliseum.


-- Costume DLC --

-- Beachwear (240 MSP / $2.99) - The perfect costume for soaking up the sun and hanging out with friends on the shores of New Bodhum.  Fore Serah.

-- Black Mage Attire (240 MSP / $2.99) - A Black Mage outfit for Noel.

-- Blade Attire (240 MSP / $2.99) - A battle attire in gold and crimson which wraps you in the leather of some strong beasts. Only for the chosen warriors.  For Noel.

-- Ezio Auditore (240 MSP / $2.99) - DLC outfit for Noel based on the garments of Ezio Auditore from Assassin's Creed: Revelations.

-- N7 Armor - Noel (240 SP / $2.99) - DLC outfit for Noel based on Commander Shepard from Mass Effect 3.

-- N7 Armor - Serah (240 MSP / $2.99) - DLC outfit for Serah based on Commander Shepard from Mass Effect 3.

-- Spacetime Guardian (240 MSP / $2.99) - This garb is said to be a gift of the goddess to those who fight to correct the anomalies of time.  For Noel.

-- Style and Steel (Free) - One of two outfits designed by AKB48's Yuko Oshima voted on by fans. For Serah.

-- Summoner's Garb (240 MSP / $2.99) - This ethnic costume from another world is born from the consciousness of time-traveling Serah and the soul of the summoner from a parallel universe.  For Serah.

-- White Mage Attire (240 MSP / $2.99) - A White Mage outfit for Serah.

Yori Dori Midori 16 Costume Pack (240 MSP / $2.99) - Set of outfits for Mog. Includes White Mage, Cat, Teddy Bear, Pirate, and Panda style costumes.

Meeting the Owner of the Casino at Serendipity

-- Scenarios DLC --

-- Lightning: Requiem of the Goddess (400 MSP /  $4.99) - Expansion content featuring Lightning as a playable character. The scenario tells of her struggle against Caius Ballad and the battle system in it is  slightly different from that of the Final Fantasy XIII-2 main game. Clearing the chapter will unlock Lightning in Valkyrie armor as a partner character.

-- Sazh: Heads or Tails? (400 MSP / $4.99) -  An expansion that features a playable Sazh and a parallel adventure to the main storyline that, when the story is completed, additionally allows Sazh to be added to the regular party in paradigm pack as a captured monster (Role: Synergist, Feral Link: Cold Blood); the expansion includes two new Casino Games: Chronobind and Serendipity Poker.

-- Snow: Eternal Arena (320 MSP / $3.99) - Expansion content featuring two recruitable opponents in coliseum at the Void Beyond: Snow Villiers (Role: Commando) and Valfodr (Role: Ravager), and a whole new episode of Snow's quest.


-- Weapon DLC --

-- Azrael (80 MSP) - Named after the angel of souls, and said to hold the power to alter fate. Increases chain bonuses.  For Serah.

-- Catastrophe Blade (80 MSP / .99 cents) - This weapon allows the wielder to unleash a rapid flurry of blows. Increases ATB gauge recharge rate. For Noel.

-- Genji Bow (80 MSP / .99 cents) - A weapon symbolizing the honor of a distinguished line of warriors. Increases ATB gauge recharge rate.  For Serah.

-- Muramasa (80 MSP / .99 cents) - A weapon of fey power feared as the blade that will strike down time's master. Boosts chain bonus. For Noel.

-- Seraphic Wing (80 MSP / .99 cents) - This angelic weapon restores the wielder's HP as it damages an enemy. For Serah.

Note: MSP = Microsoft Points for XBLA / dollar amounts indicate the price of the DLC for the PS3 via PSN.

Rumor has it that additional DLC content will be offered over the course of the year, including new Casino games, and additional battles for the in-game arena.