Final Fantasy XIII detailed at Famitsu.com

Coinciding with coverage in its latest print issue, Famitsu.com has posted a series of articles covering the three games in the Fabula Nova Crystallis series.

The biggest revelation is in the story on Final Fantasy XIII. The site reveals that the name of the blond character who sports a bandana to be Snow. This name is in line with Tetsuya Nomura's comments that the character's name would have a weather theme.

Snow, like Lightning, the female character who's been at the center of all past trailers, is an l'Cie, one of the people who are chosen by the supernatural fal'Cie to carry out missions. The l'Cie are also branded by the fal'Cie with some sort of physical symbol.

According to the Famitsu.com report, the fal'Cie convey their messages to the l'Cie via "visions." These aren't necessarily clear, and it is required that they be "interpreted" before being understood.

The site describes Snow as someone whose large size can be helpful. He's normally positive thinking and supportive. However, he often acts rashly and without though, and does appear to annoy Lightning. He sports a tattoo on his left forearm, which the site speculates may be the symbol left by the fal'Cie.

For those viewing the screenshots at Famitsu.com, the one at the bottom is listed as being a movie scene, which presumably means that it's not real time.

The Versus XIII coverage offers a few new bits on the hero and heroine, who were recently revealed to be named Noctis Lucis Caelum and Stella Nox Fleuret. The site describes Noctis, whose nickname is Noct, as a confident person, but this mixes with his shy personality to make him appear cold and unsociable. Stella is a princess of good upbringing who uses proper speech when speaking with others.

In the blurbs beneath the screenshots on the Versus page, the site notes that Stella and Noctus are engaged in a conversation about having seen some form of "Light." Stella reveals that she, like Noctus, can see this light, then tells of an ancient story from her kingdom. It's said that some can see the light that emerges when the goddess Etro opens the door to the kingdom of the dead. Those who see this light are endowed with power. Apparently, this story has also been passed along with Noct's kingdom

The ability to see this "light" is something that people gain somehow -- perhaps an acquired ability. However, the exact nature of the light is not known.

In the final screenshot on the Versus page, Stella is shown sharing her name with Noctis. The site says that following this, she urges Noctis to visit her kingdom and promises to show him around. She then leaves.

Different from the XIII and Versus XIII coverage, the Agito coverage has some actual gameplay shots. But first, a couple of shots from what appears to be the prologue area of the game.

As detailed at the site, Agito is set on a continent that's split into four countries. Cid, who appears to be a high ranking military official of the Empire of Milites, has sent out l'Cie warriors in an invasion. Rebrum, the capital of Suzaku (this Romanization may not be accurate), has fallen to these invaders, and its people create a plan to free it.

You play as a student in a magic academy which trains its pupils to become an "Agito." The site doesn't exactly specify what it means to be an Agito, but it also says that the specifics behind the process are shrouded in mystery, suggesting that the lack of clarity could be a part of the story. As the invading armies come in, the students rise one by one and end up serving a major role in the Rebrum liberation.

The game's battle system, as shown in the bottom two screenshots will, as promised, offer cooperative play via both ad-hoc and infrastructure wireless modes. Also previously revealed the game makes use of an extension of the "Choukosku Active Time Battle" (Super High Speed Active Time Battle) system that gave Crisis Core an action-oriented feel.

Those searching the screenshots for evidence of character names will be disappointed. The names, as listed both above the characters on the battle field and on the battle menu at the bottom of the screen, are written as weapon names: katana, whip, and card.

The shots show one example of a summon spell. You end up taking direct control of beasts that you've summoned on to the battle field. In addition, the game offers a growth element for summons.

For tiny screens of all the games, see the Famitsu.com stories. And for even more screens and details, pick up this week's issue of the magazine.