Top stories for today's episode of Shacknews Daily include the announcement of FIFA 13, which will sport an improved career mode, and the announcement that Final Fantasy XIII-2 will be getting some DLC in the near future--including the final battle that probably should have been included in the first place. Diablo III also officially launched last night at midnight, but server issues prevented many from successfully logging in.

Check out today's episode of Shacknews Daily.

Watch: Shacknews Daily: May 15, 2012 »

Final Fantasy XIII-2 is rolling out another character-based story episode, this time starring everyone's favorite stoic heroine. Square Enix has mentioned this episode before, but now we know a bit more detail about the "Requiem of the Goddess."

Read more: Coming in May in Japan »

Mass Effect 3 has so much DLC... that it's jumping into other games. Final Fantasy XIII-2 will be getting DLC from the Mass Effect universe, in the form of costumes for both Noel and Serah.

This isn't the first Western costume collaboration for Final Fantasy XIII-2. Assassin's Creed costumes have also been announced for the JRPG sequel.

Read more: Coming next week »

When Square promised we'd see cameos from past Final Fantasy games in the Coliseum of Final Fantasy XIII-2, our imaginations ran wild. Kefka? Ultros? Sephiroth? None of those fan favorites have materialized, but Square has announced another Coliseum addition: Jihl Nabaat from Final Fantasy XIII.

Read more: Lightning DLC coming mid-May »

Square Enix left dangling plot threads at the end of Final Fantasy XIII-2, and has promised more story through downloadable episodes. Sazh: Heads or Tails, on sale now for $4.99 (400 MSP) is the first such piece of DLC. It holds the dubious honor of being not only our first glimpse at Square Enix's content plans for this game, but its first tentative step into delivering story episodes as DLC in the main Final Fantasy series.

The story, however, is barely present at all. Minor spoilers follow.

Read more: Casino action instead of real action »

Update: Kotaku reports that Chrono Bind is actually the name of a casino game in the upcoming Final Fantasy XIII-2 DLC. It seems likely that Square Enix is merely registering a dedicated domain for its casino game. Shacknews apologizes for the error.

Read more: Square Enix and domain registrations »

Final Fantasy XIII-2 is getting another optional character as downloadable content, as Square Enix has announced a date and price for the "Sazh: Heads or Tails?" DLC today. The world-weary father will be available on February 28 for $4.99 (400 MSP).

Read more: Play as Sazh, two new casino games included »

One of the most common complaints for Final Fantasy XIII-2 is its contentious ending. Game director Motomu Toriyama has opened up and shared some details on the reasoning behind it, and what's next for the game's story.

Read more: Ending meant to encourage exploration, tease DLC »

Lightning is coming to Final Fantasy XIII-2 next week, Square Enix has announced. Titled "Lightning and Master Sergeant Amodar," this premium DLC pack pits you in a Coliseum battle against the Final Fantasy XIII heroine and her former officer.

Read more: More retro Final Fantasy characters coming »

Sequels are a rare occurrence in the Final Fantasy series. Square Enix has only let it happen a few times in the series' history, so the announcement of Final Fantasy XIII-2 came as a surprise. Now as word of XIII-2's ending hits, the renewed possibility of a XIII-3 is circulating.

Intentionally vague spoilers follow.

Read more: The future of the FFXIII series »

Final Fantasy XIII left me of two minds. The satisfaction of managing its frenetic but elegant battle system stood on one side, in stark opposition to its maudlin, convoluted plot and overlong tutorial. To my surprise its sequel, Final Fantasy XIII-2, manages the seemingly unlikely feat of furthering the rift between the two. While the combat and adventure structure show improvements that directly address its predecessor's critics, the story manages to spiral deeper into an unintelligible narrative abyss. The result leaves me torn once again.

Read more: a game that so badly wants to be liked »

We've heard bits and pieces of Square Enix's plans to release downloadable content for Final Fantasy XIII-2 in Japan, but it hasn't been made clear how much of that would make the journey westward. Now producer Yoshinori Kitase has mentioned "episodic DLC" in an English interview, confirming we'll get extra story bits in North America and Europe as well.

Read more: Episodes to 'expand on the universe and gameplay' »

Final Fantasy XIII-2 focuses on Serah's search for her missing sister, Lightning. The lead character of the first game plays a smaller role in the sequel, but DLC will reportedly allow players to recruit her. The add-on content will potentially add story revelations as well.

Read more: Fiction expanding to include DLC, novels »

You could be like the protagonist of Final Fantasy XIII-2 and travel through time to a future where Square Enix's next console RPG is already released. Or, you could just wait a week for the free downloadable demo to release.

The Final Fantasy XIII-2 demo will be available on PlayStation Network on January 10th, and on Xbox Live Marketplace on January 11th. No word on what the demo will include, but you should expect spiky hair, giant swords, and a dramatic cutscene or two.

Watch: Moogles! »

There's a lot to be excited for in 2012, and the Shacknews staff each have five games on their radar. The editorial team at Shacknews outlines their most anticipated games of 2012 individually. Next up we've got staff writer Steve Watts with his list of 2012 titles.

Final Fantasy XIII-2

I don't think I'm in the minority when I say that I had my share of problems with Final Fantasy XIII. The overlong tutorial, the few and far between likable characters, the completely nonsensical plot -- by any measure it should've been a game I hated. But the combat system was so fast and frenetic that it kept bringing me back. The game didn't get much right, but it made battles fun and engaging for a more modern RPG audience.

Read more: The rest of Steve's picks for 2012 »