Wondering what's new with Square Enix's Final Fantasy XIII? Well, we are too, and that's why it's a good thing that game director Motome Toriyama and designer Tetsuya Nomura recently granted an interview with Japanese magazine Dengeki to give the latest updates about the game.

In case you're not aware, the game's opening scene will involve a real time battle scene. "The intensity of the opening scene, it's probably the most in the Final Fantasy series so far," said Toriyama, "and will surpass what's been shown in the few trailers released for the game so far."

In all the Final Fantasy series he says? Well, we guess we will have to see about that as we all know that the franchise is one of the most successful ever.

Anyway, Toriyama wanted to clear up certain matters about the relationship between the Cocoon world and the world below it. The director somewhat likened the Cocoon residents to a virus: they are people afraid of the outside world. Anyone who is believed to have an outside influence is forced out from their world. Also, those people who do things that make their world fall further from the sky are also banished.

Nomura talked a bit about the blond guy who appeared at the end of the FF XIII trailer. He said that this is one big guy, both literally and figuratively. First, his foot size is somewhere around 33 centimeters and he can carry two people around while running. He wouldn't share though what exactly this guy's relationship is with Lightning, the main character.

Regarding FF Versus XIII, Nomura hinted that the game will feature battles in the whole environment of the game, meaning players will be able to strike virtually from anywhere. Speaking of which, the designer reminded that players won't be able to warp freely anywhere. Accordingly, players may only warp to places where their sword has been placed.

Nomura also said that the main character won't be fighting alone. Instead, he will be accompanied by party members who have their own weapons and skills - something reminiscent of Kingdom Hearts.

Lastly, Nomura and Toriyama announced that Square Enix is planning something big for FF's 20th anniversary this year.