"Could this be it? The stolen treasure?"

It has been a while since we have heard much on Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, so here's eight new screenshots introducing us to the new Dead Dunes setting. Taking a bit of inspiration from Journey, it looks like Lightning will be able to slide down the dunes to speed up her adventure. As for why Lightning is in the dunes? Well, she's could be looking for info or treasure, or in typical JRPG fashion is just hanging out to grind XP.

Included in the Dunes shots are some teasers for Lightining's new abilities, which include self-cast recovery spell and a time freeze skill. Both abilities will consume EP naturally, so you'll probably save them for bosses and end up never using them.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is still planned for release in Q3 later this year for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Square Enix has said they have plans for several upcoming events, however, including revealing a Wii U title at PAX East and more Final Fantasy announcements at E3. They're likely to have presence at GDC too, of course, so I wouldn't doubt we're likely to see another trailer or get some release information very soon.