FINAL FANTASY® XIII Reviews

Game is just a terrible, awful port. Should be removed from store. Unplayable without a 45 minute guide and several mods from the community.

This game screams 2009 in the worst possible ways. I'll admit, despite being a huge Final Fantasy fan, growing up with the series in the 90s I dropped off with the release of 11. I tried 12 when it came out, and couldn't get into it. I never got a PS3, opting to turn towards the PC route since that time. I have no frame of reference on how bad or good this port is. All I can say is I had absolutely zero issues running this game, so this review is only taking into consideration the game itself. This just doesn't feel like a Final Fantasy. The linear nature of the game is just so boring, and the one section that does let you roam around a bit feels like MMO fetch quests. The characters don't really grab me at all and the story is so ridiculously convoluted. Also, it's so dang light-hearted despite all of your characters basically living with a curse. The mood of this game just doesn't work for me. Lighting is basically female Squall, but more vanilla and way less depth. She looks like every girl I went to high school with in the mid 00's with that hairstyle too. All the other characters are forgettable. The pixelated characters of FFVI all had more personality. One of the worst aspects about this game, much like MGS4, is the constant cinematics. Sometimes you'll literally take steps before another one starts up again. Just let me play the damn game. That being said, this game looks great. This has to be one of the worst FF soundtracks though, I can't remember one tune from it. For a series with such amazing soundtracks, what the hell happened with this one? Battle system is okay I guess. It's all about how quickly you can swap around your paradigms. It's actually pretty basic, because other than that you're just going to a spam your auto-chain command. Sometimes the AI for the rest of your party will be completely retarded and not focus on healing or reviving the right character. It's just weird only controlling one character. Leveling system is kind of like FFX if I remember that correctly. Summons are kind of pointless, and just seem to be there as a minor plot detail. Somehow this game got two sequels? I don't know if I have it in me to slog through those despite purchasing them. This took around 50 hours to beat and really considered jumping ship around 25 because I was terribly bored.

Both the storyline and gameplay of the game is incredibly good.

just replayed for the first time since it released. still holds up. looks beautiful, plays wonderfully. This game is tragically slept on and hated for no reason. Best combat system in the series and my favorite entry of the series overall. If you didnt like it at release, it totally deserves a second chance now!

I had initially picked this game up during the steam summer sale as I had tried it out as a kid and did not like it and wanted to try it again (especially following the FF MTG release). I have now beat the game for the first time and I have mixed feelings. As a whole, the game is worth playing, especially if you are a final fantasy fan and if you tend to prefer more linear games with little distractions. I would however be cautious. I did not enjoy the beginning of this game, it took a long time before I started to become invested both in the story and the combat. If you are willing to endure that, then there is a fairly enjoyable story to be told and one worth investing your time into.

7.5/10 Great game! Even though most Final Fantasy fans say that this is the worst game in the series, I still wanted to try it out to form my own opinion. To be honest, it's actually a good game. Lightning is a very cool character. Maybe I'm biased because she was the first character I pulled in a free summon in Mobius Final Fantasy. The Final Fantasy 13 event in Mobius FF was the first event in a mobile game that I completed. (Man, I really miss Mobius Final Fantasy. T_T) The story mode is interesting, the soundtracks are fantastic and the graphics look amazing. I forgot this game came out in 2009. It basically looks much better than modern games today. I hated the gameplay at first, but then I kind of got used to it. You don't have to be a fan of it, but it's also refreshing to see something new in a JRPG. What I don't like about the game is that the game is basically linear for the first 10 chapters. When you reach chapter 11, you can move freely. And the inconsistent difficulty level is so annoying. Some boss fights are very easy to beat and others are impossible to beat. It can also be a grind-fest. So you better keep grinding if you want an easy life. Overall, and a question for Square Enix: I'm definitely very thankful that this game is available on PC. What I would also like to see is a PC version of your older mobile games for PC (Final Fantasy Record Keeper, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, Mobius Final Fantasy, Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Ominia). Maybe a remake would be cool. Oh, and it would be great if you released all your previous games on GOG as well. I will definitely buy your games on that platform. ^^

Without community patches, the game crashes on startup. With all of the community made patches from the guides section installed, the game was fairly stable, but still crashed around 10 times in my 30 hours of playing. In the early game, there are frequent save points, about every 15 minutes. Later in the game, the maps become much larger and the battles take longer, so you cannot save as frequently. After losing over an hour of progress to a crash, I decided it wasn't worth playing anymore. AMD Radeon RX 6700 AMD Ryzen 9 5900 Windows 11

I didn't have performance problems like some people are reporting. But this game has a lot of other issues: -The linearity is the worst in the Final Fantasy series, even worse than FFX. Square did a great job with FFXII, making it open world. Why the step back? -All side quests are monster hunts that require to activate a stone, and sometimes we have to travel to a completely different region for the objective, and the game is very lackluster about teleportation. Why not put the damn objective in the same region? -The map keeps spinning, it's not static. No cardinal directions. Beyond terrible. -The game has some sort of time attack mode, which improves the loot the faster we kill the enemies. But the time to complete a mission to obtain 5 stars LOWERS the more damage we have. What kind of reward is that for improving the characters? -The game restricts the Crystarium (skill trees) leveling, we need need to finish a chapter to get more trees. FFXIII wants to have absolute control of the way we play. We can't even unlock the last Crystarium level without finishing the game, but still the game throws all the end game content BEFORE finishing it. Insane. -Have lots of phoenix downs and raise spells? Too bad. If the party leader dies, it's game over. -Weapon and accessory upgrade system is a total mess. Junk items are used to upgrade weapons, giving an amount of EXP each one for the weapon progression, but we don't know how many EXP we need to upgrade to the maximum level, unless we see a guide on internet. Which often results in losing great amounts of gil because the best junk is very expensive. -First time I saw a Final Fantasy game that ALL characters lack charisma, with the exception of Sazh. If all of that wasn't enough, this game still has TWO SEQUELS. I have no words to describe this absurdity. I'm on a quest to finish 100% of all Final Fantasy games, but I can't recommend FFXIII. Unfortunatelly not even the story is enjoyable.

My comfort game (trilogy) <3 release the remastered trilogy square so I can 100% the games again!

Final Fantasy XIII, released in 2009, remains a divisive entry in the long-running RPG franchise. Its unique battle system, compelling characters, and visually stunning world are often praised, while its linear structure, convoluted plot, and initially frustrating gameplay mechanics are frequently criticized. What Works: Paradigm Shift Battle System: The game's innovative battle system, built around the concept of switching between different character roles (roles such as Ravager, Medic, or Sentinel) on the fly, is both strategic and action-packed. Mastering this system is key to success. Compelling Characters: The cast, though initially somewhat stereotypical, develops depth and complexity as the story progresses. The relationships between Lightning, Snow, Fang, and Sazh are particularly well-developed and emotionally resonant. Stunning Visuals: Even by today's standards, the game's visuals are impressive, showcasing a beautiful and varied world, from the lush landscapes of Cocoon to the desolate wastes of Gran Pulse. Intriguing Mythology: The game's lore, encompassing the fal'Cie, l'Cie, and the conflict between Cocoon and Pulse, is rich and complex, though it can be challenging to fully grasp. What Doesn't Work: Linear Structure: The game's highly linear structure, especially in the early stages, can feel restrictive and limiting. Players have little freedom to explore the world or deviate from the main storyline. Convoluted Plot: The story is notoriously complex and convoluted, often relying on exposition dumps and cryptic dialogue to convey information. Understanding the plot requires close attention and a willingness to piece together fragmented narrative elements. Initial Gameplay Frustration: The initial hours of gameplay can be frustrating for some players due to the restrictive nature of the linear progression and the steep learning curve of the battle system. Overall: Final Fantasy XIII is a game of contrasts. Its innovative battle system and compelling characters are balanced by a linear structure and a convoluted plot. Whether you enjoy the game will likely depend on your tolerance for these flaws. Those who can appreciate the unique aspects of the game's design will find a rewarding experience, while others may find it frustrating and ultimately unsatisfying. It's a game that sparks strong opinions, and its legacy continues to be debated among fans.