FINAL FANTASY XIII

70%
Game Brain Score Based on 7,644 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
FINAL FANTASY XIII Game Cover
Final Fantasy XIII is major improvement over its predecessor in a big way.
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In Final Fantasy XIII, a group of strangers become fugitives when they're labeled as enemies of the state in the floating world of Cocoon. Pursued by the military, they embark on a mission to challenge the forces controlling their destiny and prevent widespread destruction. This PC optimized game offers a captivating storyline, strategic battle systems, and awe-inspiring visuals with both English and Japanese voice over options.

  • PC
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  • Windows
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Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

70%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,644 reviews
story1,702 positive mentions
optimization222 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning visuals and a beautiful soundtrack that still holds up today.
  • The combat system, particularly the paradigm shift mechanic, adds depth and strategy to battles, making it engaging once fully unlocked.
  • The character development and emotional arcs of the main cast are compelling, with many players finding themselves invested in their journeys.
  • The game is extremely linear for the majority of its runtime, with little exploration and a lack of side quests until late in the game.
  • The story can be convoluted and difficult to follow, often requiring players to read the in-game datalog to understand the lore and character motivations.
  • The PC port is poorly optimized, with frequent crashes and performance issues that detract from the overall experience.
  • story5,580 mentions

    The story of Final Fantasy XIII is a polarizing aspect among players, with many praising its emotional depth and character development, while others criticize its convoluted narrative and reliance on datalogs for context. The game is largely linear, which some players appreciate for its focus on storytelling, but others find it restrictive and tedious, especially in the early chapters. Overall, the narrative is seen as ambitious, with themes of fate and personal growth, but its execution leaves some players feeling lost or disengaged.

    • “The linearity, far from a flaw, is a deliberate choice that fosters a focused storytelling experience.”
    • “As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the seemingly straightforward plot is a setup for a much larger and emotionally resonant tale.”
    • “The story is captivating and the world (like every other ff game) lets you dive right into the action and gripping plot until the end.”
    • “The story is a bit convoluted, and it's easy to get lost if you're not paying attention at every turn.”
    • “The story is confusing, especially at first, and it takes a long time to unwind.”
    • “The story is so linear that there is really only one boss.”
  • graphics1,964 mentions

    The graphics of Final Fantasy XIII are widely praised for their stunning visuals, which have aged remarkably well since the game's original release in 2009. Many players highlight the game's beautiful character models, detailed environments, and impressive cutscenes, often noting that the graphics still hold up against modern titles. However, the PC port has faced criticism for being locked at 720p with limited graphical options, leading to performance issues and a lack of customization that some players find disappointing. Despite these drawbacks, the overall aesthetic and artistic direction of the game continue to receive acclaim.

    • “Right from the opening scenes, Final Fantasy XIII dazzles with its stunning visuals that hold up to today.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, great battle system, and legit one of the best Final Fantasy soundtracks ever.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely amazing, considering this game's age (initial release 2009).”
    • “The graphics have held up exceedingly well.”
    • “The game is locked at 720p by default, has no graphical settings, is crash prone, is not alt-tab friendly, will close randomly, has terrible achievement tracking.”
    • “The pc port is okay, although admittedly you need a decent amount of power to run it because it is not well-optimized and lacks graphics options to tweak.”
  • gameplay1,774 mentions

    The gameplay of Final Fantasy XIII has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing its linearity and slow introduction of mechanics, often describing the first 20-30 hours as a lengthy tutorial. While some appreciate the innovative paradigm system and the strategic depth it offers in combat, others find the auto-battle feature and lack of character control to be overly simplistic and repetitive. Overall, the game is seen as visually stunning with a compelling story, but its gameplay can feel tedious and restrictive, especially in the early stages.

    • “The gameplay becomes a lot more fun once you unlock more roles for your characters.”
    • “The paradigm system is diverse, fun mechanic and keeps me on my toes when facing bosses with various combinations for various situational fights.”
    • “The gameplay is fun if simple, as you can button-mash your way through most of it, and the concept behind the story is genuinely interesting.”
    • “Not the best Final Fantasy by a long shot, and the gameplay suffers from the extreme linearity for the first 20/25 hours, until you can get a relief at chapter 11.”
    • “The gameplay is boring at times and the story gets dragged out far too often, but the game is easily beatable in 30+ hours on normal difficulty without rushing.”
    • “The gameplay is such a drag.”
  • music1,202 mentions

    The music in Final Fantasy XIII has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising Masashi Hamauzu's soundtrack as one of the best in the series, despite Nobuo Uematsu's absence. The score effectively enhances the game's emotional depth and atmosphere, featuring a mix of orchestral and modern elements that resonate well with players. However, some critics noted that the soundtrack can feel repetitive due to limited tracks, particularly in the game's linear environments, which may detract from the overall experience.

    • “The music adds layers to the narrative, creating an immersive experience that resonates with the grandeur expected from a Final Fantasy title.”
    • “The soundtrack is one of the best the series has ever produced, and every track finds its proper place in every scene and zone.”
    • “Masashi Hamauzu's music also helps, delivering a powerful and emotional score that enhances the overall experience of the game.”
    • “I feel like there's only like 3 songs in the whole soundtrack, which has little ambient sound of the areas you're in. It seems lazy, and the entire game is just a series of hallways compared to FFX and FF12, which were extremely open world.”
    • “The music is forgettable (this actually surprised me more than anything) and the story is deeply underexplained throughout despite constantly interrupting you with meaningless cutscenes of the characters bemoaning their situation.”
    • “The music is awful... most of the time the same girl singing the same song throughout almost the entire 18 hours I've played so far.”
  • optimization502 mentions

    The optimization of this game has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame rate drops, and a lack of graphical options. While some users have found success in improving performance through community mods like the "ff13fix," the need for such patches highlights the game's poor initial optimization for PC. Overall, the consensus is that the game is not well-optimized, requiring extensive tweaks and fixes to achieve a playable experience.

    • “Finally, I recommend following the Steam guides to improve performance if you are going to play on this port, or following the instructions at rebtd7/ff13fix on GitHub, as it does have the usual Square Enix PC port problems.”
    • “The complaints about the PC port are also valid, but there is a pretty simple patch to apply that will solve most issues with the game's performance.”
    • “Before playing the game, it’s strongly advised to read some guides on how to improve the performance and stability of the game.”
    • “This game is horribly optimized, first and foremost.”
    • “The performance issues are largely taken care of by better hardware, but look up 'ff13fix' on github by rebtd7 for further enhancing, and be sure to check out nexus mods for a few visual hd mods (but the game looks great, even despite its age).”
    • “The game is constantly stuttering/lagging to the point it's not even playable and this is an issue with this game for years.”
  • grinding502 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the late game where significant grinding is required for character progression and equipment upgrades. While some players enjoy the grind as a core part of the RPG experience, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to repetitive gameplay and frustration. Overall, grinding is seen as a necessary but often unenjoyable element, especially for those aiming for 100% completion.

    • “No grinding is required for the story, unless you want 100% completion.”
    • “There is essentially no grinding in the game at all (minus end game). If you fight the fights available to you, most of the time characters will max out their stats/abilities for that story section.”
    • “There is no grinding or farming in the first ten chapters at all, but it will definitely become very obvious in the following chapters if you skipped encounters.”
    • “The amount of grinding for crystarium points is obscene; money is always tight given how little you get from enemies and how much you need to spend on upgrade materials for weapons and accessories, and far too many battles (especially to unlock eidolons) require very specific tactics you have no way of knowing about beforehand.”
    • “But the absolute worst part is how overpowered enemies are if you haven't been farming gil like crazy to fully upgrade your gear, including grossly overpriced minerals to unlock their tiers.”
    • “The game limits how much you can place into each tier, so farming for thousands of cp while useful in the long run will be stonewalled until the last few chapters of the game.”
  • character development260 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising the depth and growth of individual characters, particularly in their interactions and personal arcs. While some reviews highlight the strong emotional connections and well-executed character backstories, others criticize the simplistic development system and linear storytelling that can hinder character progression. Overall, the game is noted for its beautiful character designs and engaging narratives, but opinions vary on the effectiveness and execution of character development throughout the gameplay.

    • “I love everybody's subplots and character development, and the interactions between the characters feel very organic in a way the other games in the series never achieved.”
    • “The world of 'Final Fantasy XIII' is rich with depth and complexity, and the character development is a highlight, making you care deeply about their journey and growth.”
    • “The character development is good, even if in the early chapters the characters can make you hate them, but after the story progresses you will love them.”
    • “The character development system is very basic and doesn't offer any real customization.”
    • “Worse FF in the mainline series, so linear and boring, always running in a straight line and stopped every second by enemies, characters' voice acting is annoying and next to little character development whatsoever.”
    • “Ffxiii's lack of character development damages the already confusing story.”
  • emotional153 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Final Fantasy XIII" is a significant point of discussion among players, with many praising its compelling and heartfelt narrative that evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears during key moments. While some reviewers criticize the linearity and pacing of the story, they acknowledge that the character development and emotional stakes create a powerful journey that resonates deeply with players. The soundtrack, while noted as variable, is often highlighted for enhancing the emotional experience, contributing to the game's overall impact.

    • “As the story progresses, it becomes clear that the seemingly straightforward plot is a setup for a much larger and emotionally resonant tale.”
    • “The story is heartbreakingly beautiful, the environments are absolutely stunning, the combat is a nearly perfect mix of active and turn-based, and all of the characters are worth rooting for.”
    • “I came out genuinely emotional at the ending, really connected to the characters, and thoroughly glad I spent time playing it.”
    • “Along with a bad cast comes a bland and boring story.”
    • “Boring story and characters that you don't care for at all.”
    • “An avid Final Fantasy player myself, I forced my way through six hours of boring story, forgettable characters, all to only meet my demise fighting Odin, who wins in under ten seconds.”
  • stability100 mentions

    The stability of the PC port of Final Fantasy XIII has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant bugs, freezes, and graphical glitches that hinder gameplay. While some players have managed to achieve smooth performance through extensive modding and troubleshooting, others have found the game nearly unplayable due to frequent crashes and stuttering. Overall, the game's stability issues are a major concern, leading to frustration among players despite its nostalgic appeal and potential for improvement through community support.

    • “This game runs great on my potato PC!”
    • “I've put a couple of hours in with no glitches or crashes, and look forward to continuing to see what this game has to offer.”
    • “Gorgeous game, PC port runs great with no stuttering, I applied ff13fix.”
    • “No amount of troubleshooting as recommended by Steam has resolved the problem, and of course they won't provide a refund because it worked for at least 2 hours.”
    • “This game would be great if it didn't take an entire day of troubleshooting to actually work.”
    • “It's so buggy, bordering on unplayable.”
  • humor66 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as unintentional and awkward, with players finding themselves laughing at poorly executed dramatic moments and cringe-worthy character interactions rather than genuine comedic elements. While some characters, like Sazh, provide moments of levity, the overall tone is a mix of absurdity and frustration, leading to a humorous experience that feels more like a satire of itself. Many reviewers appreciate the game's ability to evoke laughter through its shortcomings, making it a memorable, if flawed, experience.

    • “On that topic, the thing with Final Fantasy is I find myself laughing at some of the over-the-top 'epic' scenes that happen throughout the game paired with the ridiculous dialogue. It makes for a real sloppy joe of a story; it's literally falling apart as you bite into it.”
    • “The story is silly but full of entertaining spectacle and funny but not-meant-to-be-funny character moments.”
    • “It's a funny game, but one worth checking out.”
    • “Quasi-satirical because it's not funny.”
    • “Since you have so little control over the combat system, prepare for an unfunny amount of grinding with a minimal amount of reward.”
  • atmosphere53 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its stunning graphics, immersive sound design, and unique settings that evoke a sense of wonder, while others criticize its linearity and lack of vibrancy compared to previous Final Fantasy titles. Many appreciate the atmospheric depth in certain areas, particularly in cutscenes and specific locations, but feel that the overall world design and music sometimes detract from the experience. Ultimately, the game offers moments of great atmosphere, but it may not fully satisfy long-time fans of the series.

    • “You can also spend time doing extra side quests and missions if you feel like relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere.”
    • “The design and atmosphere of both the shining utopian world of Cocoon and the wild, dangerous, and abandoned Gran Pulse is just so original, you will never know where to look first.”
    • “All in all, the cinematics and the atmosphere (including the amazing soundtrack) achieve their goal, which is, of course, to immerse the player in a universe which definitely pushes the boundaries of what we consider a fantasy world.”
    • “The atmosphere is also lacking in vibrancy we would expect from a Final Fantasy game.”
    • “I guess the main reason behind the lacking atmosphere is the linearity - FF13 is incredibly linear and doesn't even feature a world map.”
    • “Another reason responsible for a weak atmosphere is dull world design, which is also something FF fans aren't used to.”
  • replayability40 mentions

    Replayability in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it high due to engaging storylines and character progression systems, while others criticize its linearity and lack of post-game content. Modding can enhance the experience, but many feel that once the main story is completed, there is little incentive to replay. Overall, opinions range from low to high replay value, depending on individual play styles and preferences.

    • “This game has always been a great classic; it has a solid story and plenty of replay value.”
    • “Great cut scenes and game mechanics, and the world is large enough with enough side quests that even once the story is over, there's still plenty of replay value left.”
    • “Quite a lot of time I must admit, but I feel this game's story and gameplay (despite some flaws) has great replay value and totally justifies coming back and revisiting the world of Cocoon and Gran Pulse every 2-4 years.”
    • “The only problem I had with this game is that it doesn't have much replay value.”
    • “The bad things: it has little to no replayability value. I finished the game one time 3 years ago on an Xbox 360 and cannot finish it now on the PC port; the first time you play it is great and you can stretch the game hours a lot by exploring areas and doing missions there, which I found pretty enjoyable.”
    • “Replayability is low because there is nothing else to do except grind for end-game high-tier items to fight the optional super enemies.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with reviewers feeling that more effort was put into marketing than the actual gameplay. However, many players appreciate that most Square Enix titles are released as complete packages without the burden of DLCs, microtransactions, or loot boxes. Overall, the sentiment leans towards disappointment in the game's perceived lack of value compared to its promotional efforts.

    • “The good thing is, most of the time, you don't have to worry about DLCs, microtransactions, or loot boxes; most games published by Square get shipped as complete packages.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers a fair monetization model, allowing players to enjoy the full experience without being pressured to spend extra.”
    • “It's refreshing to see a game that prioritizes player experience over aggressive monetization strategies.”
    • “Part 2 and 3 were phoned-in cash grabs.”
    • “More thought went into adding lightning to Louis Vuitton ads than the game itself.”
    • “Well done Square Enix, nice cash grab!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

Buy FINAL FANTASY XIII

Play time

25hMedian play time
35hAverage play time
48hMain story
105hCompletionist
10-54hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 117 analyzed playthroughs

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