FINAL FANTASY XIII

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,865 reviews

story2.2k positive mentions

grinding639 negative mentions

The game features a stunning visual aesthetic and impressive graphics that have aged well.
The combat system, particularly the Paradigm Shift mechanic, offers a unique and strategic approach to battles.
The story, while complex, is engaging and the character development is well-executed, making players invested in their journeys.

The game is extremely linear for the majority of its runtime, which can feel restrictive and tedious.
The plot can be confusing and relies heavily on the Datalog for context, making it difficult for players to fully grasp the story.
The PC port is poorly optimized, leading to frequent crashes and performance issues that detract from the overall experience.

story
7,277 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
60%
10%
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 features a linear progression that some find restrictive, yet others appreciate for its focus on storytelling, allowing for a tightly woven narrative that unfolds over time. Overall, while the story has its flaws, including pacing issues and a complex vocabulary, it remains engaging for those willing to invest in its world and characters.
- “The storyline is great and I love (most of) the characters, bringing their own story to the table.”
- “The story is captivating, the characters are well-developed, and the gameplay is engaging.”
- “The story is interesting, the lore is well-thought out, and the paradigm system is fun to use for creating battle strategies.”
- “My main problems with FF-13 are its abysmal excuse for a 'story', the horrible pacing throughout that bloated 40-hour mess, that the main cast are either unbearable to listen to or just poorly written, and that 90% of the level design is you walking down a straight corridor.”
- “I would genuinely argue FF-13 has one of, if not the worst stories in terms of actual storytelling and gameplay of any mainline game.”
- “The story is the weakest part of the game, and the pacing is a drag.”
graphics
2,572 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
47%
4%
The graphics of Final Fantasy XIII have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals and artistic design, which still hold up well even years after its release. Many players highlight the game's beautiful environments, character models, and impressive cutscenes, often noting that the graphics were ahead of their time for a 2009 title. However, the PC port has faced criticism for being locked at 720p with minimal graphical options, leading to performance issues and stuttering for some users, although recent patches have improved the situation somewhat.
- “The graphics and attention to detail in this game are absolutely stunning, making it a visual masterpiece.”
- “Final Fantasy XIII boasts breathtaking visuals with beautifully designed environments and character models that still impress today.”
- “The graphics are exceptional for a game released in 2009, showcasing vibrant colors and intricate designs that hold up remarkably well.”
- “This game runs with a really choppy framerate and even with a gaming graphics card it has bad frame pacing/choppy FPS.”
- “I needed to install ff13fix; there were really bad graphical issues without it.”
- “The port is dreadful, and I would not recommend buying it until they at least offer a patch to add some basic settings for graphics and audio.”
gameplay
2,312 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
65%
11%
The gameplay of Final Fantasy XIII has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing its linear structure and slow introduction of mechanics, often describing the first 20-30 hours as a lengthy tutorial. While the paradigm shift system adds strategic depth to combat, some players find the auto-battle feature overly simplistic and repetitive. Despite these criticisms, others appreciate the game's visuals, story, and character development, suggesting that the gameplay becomes more engaging as the game progresses, particularly after reaching the more open areas in Chapter 11.
- “The gameplay is fun once you finally unlock having all three party members available, although that does take too long to get to.”
- “The paradigm shift mechanic keeps gameplay engaging, and you're always thinking on the fly.”
- “The gameplay is a mix of old and new RPG elements, combining turn-based and action-based mechanics, making it a good experience for first-timers.”
- “The gameplay is extremely linear and tedious, and the plot is confusing and somewhat nonsensical.”
- “Gameplay sucks, there are no setting menu.”
- “The gameplay leaves much to be desired (to put it nicely), I would recommend the game solely for the rich cast of characters.”
music
1,600 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
36%
3%
The music in Final Fantasy XIII has received a wide range of opinions, with many praising its beautiful and evocative soundtrack composed by Masashi Hamauzu. While some players find the music to be among the best in the series, others feel it lacks the memorable quality of previous titles, often citing a reliance on softer J-pop vocals and repetitive themes. Overall, the soundtrack is generally regarded as a highlight of the game, enhancing the emotional and atmospheric experience, despite some criticisms regarding its fit with the game's tone and the absence of iconic tracks from earlier installments.
- “The music and the sound effects fit really well and help convey the feeling of a great journey.”
- “The soundtrack is a masterpiece and is arguably the best battle theme the series has seen.”
- “The music enhances the narrative with evocative themes that amplify the emotional and dramatic moments throughout the game.”
- “While the sound design is generally good, and which is praise that extends to the voice acting, I think it has one of the weakest soundtracks overall.”
- “The music was either inspired by Final Fantasy X or it just happened to coincidentally be that way.”
- “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.”
grinding
651 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
1%
98%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting it as excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the later chapters. While some appreciate the depth it adds to character progression and item upgrades, others find it frustrating, especially due to the linear gameplay and repetitive combat. Overall, grinding is seen as a significant part of the experience, often requiring substantial time investment for those aiming for 100% completion or to tackle tougher challenges.
- “There is essentially no grinding in the game at all whatsoever (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.”
- “Though I said there is no grinding, you still do some to raise your individual characters' skills where points are put into a stylized skill tree as you progress to unlock new abilities, more health, etc. This is important, and you will find it hard to progress without a well-upgraded party.”
- “- No grinding - the game is somewhat challenging (though there's also an easy mode you can switch to at any time), but I never felt the need to stay in one area and grind experience before moving on.”
- “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.”
- “The grinding for even leveling character roles is a pain.”
- “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.”
optimization
645 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
46%
42%
The optimization of the PC port of Final Fantasy XIII has received widespread criticism, with many users reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame rate drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. While some players have found success in improving performance through community patches and tweaks, the game is generally considered poorly optimized out of the box, requiring extensive modifications to achieve a stable and enjoyable experience. Overall, the lack of graphical options and persistent technical problems detract from the gameplay, making it a frustrating experience for many.
- “Performance is flawless if you apply the fix mod.”
- “Gorgeous game, PC port runs great with no stuttering; I applied ff13fix.”
- “A quick, lightweight mod can be found on the game's PCGamingWiki page, with all the steps needed to easily install two small files that will vastly improve both performance and stability.”
- “I wish it was better optimized because my PC is well above the minimum/recommended requirements and I still couldn't get decent FPS.”
- “It's highly prone to crashes, poorly optimized for PC, and a whole range of issues that will make you feel like you got ripped off even if you received the game for free.”
- “The game is constantly stuttering/lagging to the point it's not even playable and this is an issue with this game for years.”
character development
330 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
53%
7%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising the depth and growth of individual characters, particularly through the "crystarium" system, which allows for straightforward ability enhancements. While some characters, like Hope and Sazh, undergo significant transformations that resonate with players, others are criticized for lacking depth or being poorly executed. Overall, the character arcs are often highlighted as a strong point, contributing to an engaging narrative, despite some frustrations with linearity and limited player choice in character progression.
- “The introduction of the 'crystarium' system provides a fresh approach to character development, allowing players to enhance abilities and stats with a straightforward and visually appealing interface.”
- “The character development and relationships are well-explored, adding depth to the narrative.”
- “Tons of character development and you really get to know the characters and their struggles throughout the game, and I found it very satisfying that the game takes the time to develop each character and have plenty of interactions with the rest of the cast.”
- “Character development is extremely limited and player expression is practically non-existent.”
- “Horrible game design, poor usability, features that feel pointless or just don't work well, boring and cumbersome equipment upgrading system, character development is borderline automatic and what little you get to decide doesn't matter at all.”
- “The character development suffers from the same plight, a far cry from the freedom of the previous 3 chapters (FFX, FFX-2, and XII).”
emotional
200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
8%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising its compelling narrative and character depth that evoke strong feelings, while others criticize the execution as lacking genuine emotional investment. The soundtrack is frequently highlighted as a significant contributor to the emotional experience, enhancing key moments throughout the story. Overall, while some players find the emotional journey rewarding and impactful, others feel disconnected due to the linear storytelling and character development issues.
- “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 (except Vanille) are worth rooting for.”
- “The depth of their relationships and interactions, both within the main party and with the supporting cast, creates a sense of camaraderie and emotional investment that few games can match.”
- “The story is very touching and I love it.”
- “It is just a boring story riddled with clichés and wannabe drama.”
- “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.”
stability
122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
2%
75%
The stability of the PC port of Final Fantasy XIII has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing frequent freezes, stuttering, and various graphical glitches, particularly at higher resolutions. While some users report that the game runs smoothly after extensive troubleshooting and modding, others find it nearly unplayable due to persistent issues. Overall, the game may require significant effort to achieve a stable experience, and many recommend caution before purchasing.
- “Runs great on my aging PC hardware and looks gorgeous for an Xbox 360-era game.”
- “Gorgeous game, PC port runs great with no stuttering; I applied ff13fix.”
- “I've put a couple of hours in with no glitches or crashes, and I look forward to continuing to see what this game has to offer.”
- “Playable at first (years ago, older PC) now for some reason I get the worst stuttering I've ever seen in a game (modern PC specs); freezes every few frames for no findable reason.”
- “Game randomly freezes every second for a little moment which I wouldn't mind if it only happened in the cutscenes but it even freezes in the combat sections of the game which makes the combat frustrating and irritating.”
- “This game is so horrendously buggy I can't recommend it in this state.”
humor
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of intentional and unintentional comedy, with characters often delivering melodramatic and campy lines that can lead to hilariously awkward moments. While some players find the humor charming and enjoyable, others criticize it as forced or reliant on stereotypes, resulting in a hit-or-miss experience. Overall, the game's comedic elements provide a lighthearted contrast to its more serious themes, making it a fun, albeit flawed, experience for many players.
- “It might be a funny game to bond over with a friend watching because the characters can get a bit melodramatic and campy.”
- “The story is silly but full of entertaining spectacle and funny but not-meant-to-be-funny character moments.”
- “The humor is hit and miss.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
52%
6%
The atmosphere in the game is a mixed bag, with many praising the soundtrack and visual design for enhancing the overall experience, creating a captivating and immersive environment. However, some players criticize the linearity and lack of vibrancy compared to previous titles in the series, which detracts from the sense of exploration and richness typically expected from a Final Fantasy game. Despite these criticisms, the game's unique settings and character arcs contribute to a memorable atmosphere that resonates with many fans.
- “The iconic melodies, emotive themes, and breathtaking orchestrations perfectly capture the mood and atmosphere of each moment, enhancing the storytelling and gameplay experience.”
- “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 that 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.”
replayability
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
70%
11%
Replayability in the game is a mixed bag, with many players noting its linear structure limits options for repeated playthroughs, resulting in low scores (often around 4/10). However, some aspects, such as character leveling and side quests, provide enough incentive for players to return, especially for completionists or those interested in exploring different character builds. Overall, while the game offers some replay value, it is generally considered less replayable compared to other titles in the genre.
- “This game has always been a great classic; it has a solid story and plenty of replay value.”
- “Great story, awesome combat, very replayable.”
- “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 replayability is 1/10.”
- “The only problem I had with this game is that it doesn't have much replay value.”
- “Another con for this game is that in my opinion, it has zero replayability to it whatsoever.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
90%
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab by Square Enix, with many reviewers expressing disappointment in the quality of the PC port and suggesting that more effort was put into marketing than the game itself. However, some users appreciate that the game does not heavily rely on DLCs, microtransactions, or loot boxes, often being released as a complete package. Overall, the sentiment leans towards frustration over perceived exploitation rather than a focus on fair monetization practices.
- “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 are shipped as complete packages.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers a fair monetization model, allowing players to enjoy the full experience without feeling pressured to spend extra money.”
- “It's refreshing to see a game that prioritizes player experience over aggressive monetization strategies.”
- “Square was looking for a quick cash grab with this.”
- “Terrible port to PC and quick cash grab on Square Enix's part.”
- “Had high expectations that Square Enix would do a good port for this game, not just some cash grab.”