Final Fantasy XIII-2

Some of the anomalies in Final Fantasy XIII-2 involve a series of crystals on a pattern, where the task is to recreate a constellation by connecting crystals. These challenges are reserved for optional areas other than the storyline.

These stages involve a grey background. Once the lead character walks onto the actual pattern (nothing will happen in the lead-up), a brief overhead shot of the constellation in question will appear, with the positions of all the crystals in the pattern shown, as well as the connections.

Once the camera changes back to ground-level, the challenge begins. All stages on this type of anomaly are against the clock, with the amount of time varying from stage to stage.

At the start of the challenge, all of the crystals will appear in various colors. There will be at least one connected pairing (and may be more) of the same color. Only connected pairings of the same color can be successfully cleared.

To clear a pairing, you must go to the square of one of the two crystals and press the X button. While holding X, a "string" will emanate from that crystal wherever the lead character goes. If the character then makes contact with the other crystal in the pairing while holding X, the pairing will be complete. Any crystals which do not have any more pairings, at that point, will disappear from the challenge. Any crystals which do will change color, probably to one of the other connections on the background.

However, if a few seconds pass without the player pressing X at some crystal (whether or not that crystal has a connection), the colors of the crystals will change if there are any other connections available. Again, there will always be at least one connected pairing.

Recreate the constellation by completing all connections between pairs of crystals before the time runs out, and you clear the stage.

If the time runs out or you press the square button, you will be forced to retry the stage.

If you press the L1 and the R1 buttons, you will abandon the attempt to resolve the anomaly.

Controls:

Left Directional Stick: Move character

X Button: Press to start a connection, hold to maintain one.

Square Button: Retry the stage.

L1 + R1 buttons: Give up and abandon the attempt to resolve the anomaly.