Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

A game of two halves, Lightning Returns isn’t a brilliant end to the XIII trilogy that you may have hoped for, but it’s enjoyable. Just try to ignore the coma-inducing story.

73%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

optimization, grinding

80% User Score Based on 2,410 reviews

Critic Score 68%Based on 15 reviews

Platforms

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About

In Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, players control Lightning in her final adventure to save the world from destruction. With only 13 days left, choices made and actions taken will affect the outcome. Engage in real-time combat, customize Lightning's appearance and abilities, and explore various open-world environments to save humanity.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,425 reviews

story488 positive mentions

optimization42 negative mentions

The combat system is engaging and allows for a lot of customization with the Schemata mechanic.
The game offers a unique time management aspect that adds urgency and strategy to gameplay.
The graphics and soundtrack are beautiful, enhancing the overall experience.

The story is convoluted and often feels disconnected from the previous games in the trilogy.
The time limit can be stressful and may detract from exploration and enjoyment.
Many side quests are tedious and feel like filler, lacking meaningful engagement.

story
2,462 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
72%
8%
The story of "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII" is a mixed bag, with many players finding it convoluted and predictable, yet some appreciate its emotional depth and character arcs. The game features a time-sensitive mechanic that adds urgency to the narrative, but this often leads to a focus on tedious fetch quests rather than meaningful storytelling. While the main plot attempts to wrap up the trilogy, it struggles with pacing and coherence, leaving some players feeling disconnected from the characters and their journeys.
- “Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII brings a fitting conclusion to a highly debated saga, wrapping up the story and universe with satisfying depth.”
- “The story of the game was a fitting way to wrap up the trilogy, and the ending was a very calm and happy ending.”
- “The story is a little rough, but I think there is a unique and decent idea for the story, and it was well told.”
- “The voice for Lightning is also devoid of emotion and one-note, and the story is confoundingly metaphysical and next to impossible to understand.”
- “It's weird they call it the grand finale of the XIII trilogy when the story so far hasn't set up anything at all, and all you're doing are errands and chores for random people.”
- “The story is a little rough; I think there is a unique and decent idea for the story, but it never really felt well told.”
gameplay
796 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
63%
8%
The gameplay in "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII" has garnered mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its fast-paced, action-oriented combat and the innovative schemata system that allows for character customization. However, the pervasive time limit mechanic has been a significant point of contention, with some players finding it adds urgency and strategy, while others feel it detracts from exploration and enjoyment, leading to a stressful experience. Overall, while the game introduces unique mechanics and offers engaging combat, the time constraints and some gameplay design choices have left a divided impression among players.
- “The gameplay is fast-paced like the others in the series, but instead of pre-set roles you can customize Lightning's abilities to suit your playstyle.”
- “The time-based mechanic adds a fresh and stimulating challenge throughout the experience.”
- “The gameplay is challenging and fun, with a large open world and side quests that made you feel as if you are doing something and rewards you handsomely in the end.”
- “I couldn't get into FF13 itself as it has a broken 'party leader dies immediate game over' mechanic that can't be disabled, and they didn't retain the fantastic gambit system from FF12.”
- “What turned me away from Lightning Returns was the timed gameplay: the fact that a clock is ticking while you're playing, so that you can miss events, and the fact that you might have to play the game several times in order to get everything right.”
- “The time mechanic sucks though.”
graphics
401 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
54%
7%
The graphics in "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII" receive mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant downgrade compared to its predecessors, particularly in terms of environmental detail and NPC quality. While some appreciate the artistic direction and vibrant character designs, others criticize the overall graphical fidelity as inconsistent, with certain areas appearing outdated or poorly optimized. Despite these issues, the game still manages to deliver beautiful visuals in specific contexts, especially during battles and cutscenes, and the PC port offers improved performance and some graphical options.
- “The world in the game looks amazing, with beautiful visuals and immersive environments.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the fighting mechanics engaging, and the ability to customize Lightning's outfit is a fun addition.”
- “Like XIII and XIII-2, this game looks absolutely incredible, from the texture work to art style; it's all just so goddamn beautiful and awe-inspiring.”
- “The graphical assets appear cheap or rushed, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- “The visuals noticeably take a step back from XIII & XIII-2, with the best-looking assets in the game being either reused from the previous two games or costumes for Lightning.”
- “The major downside of this game (besides continuing a plot that I stopped caring about two games ago) is that the graphics are not up to par with the other games in the series.”
music
291 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
45%
1%
The music in "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII" is widely praised for its emotional depth and fitting integration into the game's atmosphere, with many tracks evoking nostalgia from previous entries in the series. While some reviewers noted that the soundtrack recycles themes from earlier games, the overall quality remains high, featuring a mix of new compositions and familiar melodies that enhance the gaming experience. Despite some criticisms regarding the lack of memorable original tracks, the soundtrack is generally regarded as a standout aspect of the game, contributing significantly to its immersive storytelling and emotional impact.
- “The attention to detail in the environments, coupled with a poignant soundtrack composed by Masashi Hamauzu, contributes to an immersive atmosphere that perfectly complements the game’s narrative and tone.”
- “The music throughout the entire trilogy was fantastic, which of course it was, Final Fantasy OSTs are always amazing.”
- “The soundtrack is excessive and around 6 hours long.”
- “I played the game for about an hour before the background music stopped playing. It didn't help to restart the game or enter another area, and for a 30+ hour game, I don't want to spend my time playing it without music.”
- “The music is meh compared to 13 and 13-2. The music is also clearly recycled.”
- “The soundtrack does its job, but is all the same recycled from part one. So many things could change this game into an awesome one, but sadly, the developers ended it in failure.”
optimization
143 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
43%
29%
The optimization of "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII" has received mixed feedback from players. While many noted improvements over its predecessors, particularly in maintaining a smoother frame rate and better overall performance, issues such as stuttering, especially in busy areas, and lack of mouse support for PC users were frequently mentioned. Overall, the game is considered a decent port with some optimization flaws, but it runs significantly better than previous entries in the series.
- “I didn't need any mods to get acceptable performance.”
- “The optimization settings are all what people have asked for and the game runs flawlessly on even a mid-tier PC setup on highest settings.”
- “Performance-wise, Lightning Returns is pretty much superior in every single way compared to its predecessors.”
- “The performance of this game is atrocious...”
- “The only bad side is performance that will affect everybody regardless of hardware.”
- “This game could've been more optimized for PC; I feel like I am playing on a PS3 again at times.”
grinding
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
4%
93%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to the need to complete numerous side quests for character progression instead of traditional leveling through battles. While some appreciate the shift towards a more story-driven approach to upgrades, others feel that the grinding can detract from the overall enjoyment, especially with a looming time limit that adds pressure. Overall, the game offers a unique take on grinding, but it may not appeal to those who prefer a more straightforward RPG experience.
- “It encourages active play towards your goal and not grinding.”
- “I can avoid monsters all I like and almost no grinding.”
- “There is no grinding with enemies.”
- “The menu also opens with a delay, making the process even more tedious.”
- “The time limit wouldn’t have been nearly as bad, had finding side quests to earn experience not been so tedious.”
- “Whoever came up with the idea of imposing a time limit on the player in an RPG series where grinding is an essential step and it was never an issue before to rush the player, entirely missed the point.”
emotional
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
4%
The emotional aspect of "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII" is highlighted by the profound character development and the impactful conclusion of the trilogy, which resonates deeply with players, often evoking tears and a sense of satisfaction. While some critiques mention a lack of emotional buildup in certain scenes, many players appreciate the game's ability to create heartfelt moments through its storytelling and character interactions. The evocative soundtrack and voice acting further enhance the emotional experience, making it a memorable entry in the Final Fantasy series.
- “Seeing how much the characters have changed over 500 years is heartbreaking, and getting to the ending makes me feel very happy for them.”
- “Lightning is portrayed not just as a formidable heroine, but as a profoundly complex figure with a story that culminates in an emotionally powerful conclusion.”
- “It's something unique to say the least; I have always had an emotional connection with Lightning, and the character progression in this game resonated with me deeply, causing a more emotional effect—I was literally in tears.”
replayability
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
49%
7%
The game offers significant replayability through features like hard mode, New Game+, and extensive customization options for weapons and armor, encouraging players to explore different strategies and playstyles. While many players appreciate the challenge and variety in quests, some feel that the replay value can diminish due to a lack of nuance in side quests and the potential for tedium. Overall, it is regarded as one of the more replayable entries in the series, appealing particularly to those who enjoy achievement hunting and character progression.
- “Replayability is great too since hard mode is unlocked after beating the game for the first time, and on top of making the game a lot harder, you gain the option to customize and upgrade weapons and armor, and the ability to challenge one of the hardest bosses in any FF game.”
- “With so much customization, all sorts of new tactics become available, allowing for lots of replayability.”
- “Absolutely tons of content, great combat, satisfying story, and replayability after you finish the first playthrough.”
- “Sadly, there's not any replay value because there's no nuance or variety to how those side quests play out.”
- “Again, the replayability is a bit forced; some features aren't even available until you've completed the game (want to upgrade your weapons and armor? Better finish the game!) and the tedium increases.”
- “You need to play it at least twice to get all the achievements, and personally, I wouldn't say the replayability factor is very strong for me, but that's a personal view.”
atmosphere
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
52%
7%
The atmosphere in "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII" is noted for its unique blend of apocalyptic themes and immersive world-building, with each location offering distinct environmental details and a poignant soundtrack that enhances the emotional depth of the narrative. While some players found the graphics lacking compared to previous titles, the artistic direction and attention to detail were praised for creating a captivating and atmospheric experience. Overall, the game successfully evokes a sense of urgency and melancholy, making the atmosphere a standout feature despite mixed opinions on gameplay mechanics.
- “The attention to detail in the environments, coupled with a poignant soundtrack composed by Masashi Hamauzu, contributes to an immersive atmosphere that perfectly complements the game’s narrative and tone.”
- “Lightning Returns gets the atmosphere of a world on the edge of death right, and for that it will always have a special place in my heart when it comes to the atmosphere of the game (the towns, the people, the events).”
- “It's a very immersive atmosphere and the game's open-world feeling helps this.”
- “The atmosphere is really dreary and sad.”
- “It also has a very depressing atmosphere that doesn't do it any favors.”
- “The graphics aren't up to par with the previous two games but its artistic direction more than makes up for it, with its sticky and suffocating atmosphere because the world is literally ending.”
stability
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
3%
69%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting a generally smooth experience, particularly on PC and Steam Deck, while others have encountered various bugs, glitches, and crashes. Issues such as simulation freezes, dialogue loops, and minor graphical glitches were noted, especially on certain hardware configurations. Overall, while many players found the game playable and enjoyable, the presence of unresolved bugs and the need for troubleshooting detracted from the experience for some.
- “No bugs, no glitches, no crashes.”
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck (if you run in desktop mode first, you can adjust the FPS and all that good stuff).”
- “The game runs great compared to its PC-ported predecessors and looks way better on PC than console.”
- “Story aside, there are a few unresolved gameplay glitches that can mess with your enjoyment and time.”
- “You cannot start up this game and play it out of the box without first spending hours troubleshooting it.”
- “There are some really annoying bugs like sometimes quests' dialogue glitches, and you end up stuck in a dialogue loop without being able to finish or start the quest, forcing you to restart the game to retry.”
character development
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
45%
24%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and evolution of Lightning's character across the trilogy, while others criticize it as lacking substance and coherence. Many players feel that the narrative fails to build on previous character arcs, resulting in a bland protagonist and underdeveloped side characters. Despite some moments of insight and emotional growth, the overall consensus suggests that character development is a weak point, overshadowed by gameplay and design elements.
- “I also feel that the way they handled character development and story in the 500 years interim was done well and allows them to subvert player expectations and pull a 'protagonists are antagonists' move pretty well without it feeling forced.”
- “Honestly, Lightning is the best lead in all Final Fantasy games alongside Noctis and Cloud (in my opinion), and I really love her. Her character development through all three games is amazing. For whoever worked on this game, thank you.”
- “Character development and narrative are the strongest points of the game.”
- “However, it lacks in character development and quest storytelling.”
- “The problem here is that Lightning isn’t a very interesting protagonist; her stoicism and little-to-no character development make for a pretty bland combination.”
- “Lightning has zero character development throughout the entire trilogy; this is the colossal failure of the entire FFXIII series.”
humor
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mix of absurdity and irony, with players finding amusement in Lightning's snarky remarks, the ridiculousness of her outfits, and the nonsensical nature of some quests. While the main story may lack depth, the side quests often provide comedic moments, though they can also be tedious. Overall, the game balances humor with serious themes, resulting in a quirky experience that can elicit both laughter and frustration.
- “I died laughing.”
- “People comment on your outfits/garbs, Lightning is hilariously aware of how ridiculous you dress her, and not all people are going to be kindhearted.”
- “Plus it's really funny having the dumbest quests making you do the stupidest things and Lightning delivering a somber monologue about the follies of mankind at the end.”

68%Critics’ scoreBased on 15 critic reviews

Buy Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

39h Median play time

62h Average play time

33h Main story

67h Completionist

11-100h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 23 analyzed playthroughs

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Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

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