LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII Reviews

majoras mask meets final fantasy ^-^

Expected to hate it, turned out to be really good.

The story is very deep when played in sequence. Very worth it!

I've finished the 1st day and so far it's OK. Side quests are more interesting than the Saviour cringe main storyline. I hope I can find a way to make the graphics better. I am surprised how ugly it looks compared to FFXIII.

It Runs like garbage but then again is a 10 years port of a console game

The third and final game in the FFXIII series. I think I liked this one the best. I loved most of what the first had to offer, wasn't a huge fan of the second, but this one was the most thoroughly enjoyable and polished in my view. The combat still uses the ATB/stagger system, but it plays differently from the previous two. It's more active, which is partially because you can control Lightning's movement while fighting. Paradigms are replaced by Schematas, which are different outfits that you create with separate ATB-gauges, abilities, and equipment. It's really fun to create the best suited set of Schematas for your playstyle (both for gameplay and aesthetic reasons). The world feels populated. There is a much greater focus on NPCs and Side Quests. You will meet plenty of characters. Most of the quests are item retrievals... but the rewards buff your character and give you cute accessories to add to your looks. If you enjoy the questing and exploration, you will have plenty to do. I enjoyed the themes and presentation of the story, but the writing and pacing isn't so great. The voice acting also had a significant improvement compared to the previous two games. Overall, I enjoyed it!

Huge wasted potential, this game could've been great, but instead is insanely boring. Final score - 3.5/10 Good: Voice acting - Liara's VA from Mass Effect does Lightning quite nicely Graphics - Cinematics are really great, everything else holds up well even after all this time Music - Very nice Story - A really cool premise of an ending world and you as God's chosen must save souls for a new world Customization - Create custom builds with cool outfits and gear, "find it in the game" instead of paying $$. Bad: Gameplay -- It's one big fetch quest. Every quest is just a fetch quest. Combat is insanely boring and stilted. Upon encountering an enemy you enter a soulless arena where you and 1-2 enemies fight. You switch between 3 different outfits with abilities you set, but the abilities are SO boring and lackluster both visually and in practice. All enemies are health sponges, and you're forced to switch between your outfits because you run out of stamina so you can't even play how you want. I wasn't even able to finish the first main quest, as soon as I got to the second area I groaned when I saw the map where I'd have to run aimlessly around looking for the fetch quest items, losing all desire to play. Gimmicky in game time clock to create fake urgency to whatever you do. Performance -- You can at most get 60 fps, with frequent lag, stuttering and drops when loading in areas, enemies, and more. Writing -- SO MUCH FLUFF. Holy shi* you're gonna be skipping so much of the dialogue. TLDR - Combat is terrible, game revolves around fetch quests, performance is poor, writing is bad, and an in game time limit creates fake urgency. A huge waste of potential since music, art design/graphics, voice acting, customization and story premise are actually really nice.

The nostalgia! Finally, I got to play the 3rd part of Lightning and gang's adventure and finally getting the closure I need.

its charmingly exciting to play this game. you could argue that the exploration part of the game is a bit on the boring side of things but the combat revision is pretty cool and more interactive from the player, the story is endearing (to me atleast), overall its a solid game in my opinion.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, the final installment in the Lightning Saga, takes a significant departure from its predecessors. Instead of a traditional turn-based RPG, it opts for a more action-oriented combat system within a time-limited setting. This unique approach, while innovative, results in a game with both considerable strengths and notable flaws. What Works: Unique Gameplay: The real-time combat is fast-paced and engaging, demanding strategic thinking and quick reflexes. The ability to switch between different weapons and abilities on the fly adds a layer of tactical depth. The crafting system is also a welcome addition, allowing for customization and experimentation. Compelling Setting: The world of Lightning Returns is visually stunning and rich in detail. The decaying world of Nova Chrysalia offers a unique and atmospheric setting, brimming with side quests and lore. Character Development: Lightning's character arc is brought to a satisfying conclusion. Her motivations and struggles are explored with greater depth, offering a compelling narrative focus. Fashionable Combat: The game's unique approach to character customization allows players to express their creativity. The sheer number of outfits and accessories adds a significant element of replayability. What Doesn't Work: Time Limit: The game's strict time limit can be frustrating for some players. The pressure to complete objectives within a limited timeframe can detract from the overall enjoyment. This mechanic can be quite punishing and unforgiving. Repetitive Side Quests: Many side quests feel repetitive and lack depth. While some offer interesting stories and rewards, others feel like filler content. Uneven Difficulty: The difficulty curve can be quite uneven. Some battles are challenging, while others feel trivial. This inconsistency can be frustrating for players. Linearity: The game's linearity, especially in the early stages, can feel limiting. Players have little freedom to explore the world at their own pace. Overall: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is a bold and ambitious experiment. Its unique gameplay mechanics, compelling setting, and satisfying character arc are balanced by a frustrating time limit, repetitive side quests, and an uneven difficulty curve. Whether you enjoy the game will likely depend on your tolerance for these flaws. Those who appreciate its innovative approach and unique setting will find a rewarding experience, while others may find it frustrating and ultimately unsatisfying. It's a divisive game, but it's also a memorable one.