Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,985 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Game Cover
Final Fantasy XIII: Lightning Returns doesn’t make it easy to enjoy. The narrative ventures towards the incomprehensible at times, side missions have been turned into a dull grind, and the changes to the traditional RPG formula don’t really work — that is except for the new battle system, which is fun, challenging and refreshing. Die hard fans of the XIII saga will no doubt enjoy the definitive conclusion on offer here, but if the previous two entries failed to impress you then Lightning Returns certainly won’t.
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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.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,985 reviews
story397 positive mentions
grinding82 negative mentions
  • Engaging combat system that allows for a variety of strategies and customization through the Schemata system.
  • Beautiful graphics and a captivating soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
  • Interesting side quests that provide depth to the characters and world, making the player feel invested in the story.
  • The time limit mechanic can be stressful and may detract from the exploration and enjoyment of the game.
  • The story can be convoluted and may not resonate with players unfamiliar with the previous installments.
  • The game lacks a traditional party system, which may disappoint fans of earlier Final Fantasy titles.
  • story1,920 mentions

    The story of "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII" serves as a conclusion to the trilogy, featuring a complex narrative that intertwines themes of time, redemption, and the struggle against impending doom. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and character arcs, many criticize the convoluted plot and reliance on fetch quests, which can detract from the overall experience. The game offers a unique time management mechanic that adds urgency to the gameplay, but this can also lead to frustration as players navigate a world filled with side quests that often feel disconnected from the main storyline.

    • “Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII stands out as a masterful conclusion to the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy, offering an exceptional gaming experience that excels in both gameplay and storytelling.”
    • “The story unfolds in a world on the brink of collapse, with a 13-day cycle that players must navigate to save humanity.”
    • “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.”
    • “The main story is about 5 hours of content, padded out to 30 due to the game forcing you to engage with side content and wait for events.”
    • “The plot is nonsensical - you're basically a humorless missionary for god.”
    • “The story is a mess but the gameplay/quests/battles are addicting.”
  • gameplay623 mentions

    The gameplay in "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII" is characterized by a significant departure from its predecessors, featuring a unique time-management mechanic that adds urgency and strategy to the experience. Players engage in fast-paced, action-oriented combat with a costume-based system that allows for dynamic customization of abilities, although the time limit can be a source of frustration for some. Overall, while the gameplay is praised for its innovation and depth, the time constraints and certain mechanics may detract from the enjoyment for those who prefer a more traditional RPG experience.

    • “Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII stands out as a masterful conclusion to the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy, offering an exceptional gaming experience that excels in both gameplay and storytelling.”
    • “With its bold approach and innovative mechanics, the game firmly establishes itself as a masterpiece in the JRPG genre.”
    • “The time-based mechanic adds a fresh and stimulating challenge throughout the experience.”
    • “The gameplay is hard to get used to and harder to master, but this adds to the greatness of the game.”
    • “The time mechanic is not only hugely distracting, but also very annoying.”
    • “The gameplay held its own well enough for me, though on a mechanical standpoint, this game really doesn't have much going for it, as there isn't anything all that special about it.”
  • graphics320 mentions

    The graphics of "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII" receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful character models and environments, while others criticize the overall graphical fidelity as inferior to its predecessors. Some players appreciate the advanced graphical options available on PC, which enhance the visual experience, but note that certain areas and NPCs appear outdated or poorly rendered. Overall, while the game showcases impressive visuals in some aspects, it also suffers from inconsistencies and limitations that detract from the overall graphical quality.

    • “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.”
    • “The graphics are stunning.”
    • “Graphic-wise, dreadful, aged like carbonated milk.”
    • “The only downside to the graphics are the excessive particle effects during combat that, together with some unsolicited camera movements, make reading the state of the fight more difficult than necessary, especially when precise timing is required.”
    • “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.”
  • music230 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its emotional depth and high-quality composition, often highlighting the work of renowned composers like Masashi Hamauzu. While some tracks are recycled from previous entries in the trilogy, the soundtrack effectively blends familiar themes with new compositions, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and overall enjoyment.

    • “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 is incredible, as always.”
    • “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.”
    • “Music is all recycled from the previous two games as well - which might be nostalgic for some, but I found myself getting all too familiar with the very limited music and sound effects variety.”
  • optimization107 mentions

    The optimization of "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly in busy areas and on lower-end PCs. While some users report smooth gameplay and good frame rates, especially compared to its predecessors, others experience stuttering and frame drops, indicating that the port could benefit from further optimization. Overall, the game is seen as a step up from previous entries, but still falls short of ideal performance standards.

    • “I liked having to manage my time and be able to give priority to whatever I felt was most important. I was afraid that I wasn't able to do everything there is to do, but I didn't miss too much. The time given is more than enough to see everything (even more in easy). In future playthroughs, I optimized my time a bit and was left with 2 completely free days, so I'd advise not to stress too much about time. Just keep in mind when certain areas open and close, and you'll be fine.”
    • “Underrated game, the decision-making regarding optimization of time usage is pretty interesting.”
    • “The optimization is just spot on.”
    • “On the negative side, performance is not great, but it's to be expected since this port is from the time when Japanese game ports to PC were poor.”
    • “It's one of the most poorly optimized games where it can't run on a Ryzen 7 1700 and a GTX 1060.”
    • “The game is stuttering on my PC with specifications above the recommended.”
  • grinding88 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to the imposed time limit that complicates traditional grinding methods. While some appreciate the shift towards quest-based progression over repetitive battles, others feel that the side quests can be overly grindy and detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game offers a unique take on grinding, blending it with story-driven elements, but it may not satisfy those who prefer classic RPG grinding mechanics.

    • “I can avoid monsters all I like and almost no grinding.”
    • “It encourages active play towards your goal and not grinding.”
    • “There is no grinding enemies.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “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 entirely missed the point.”
  • emotional40 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII" is highlighted by its complex character development, particularly of Lightning, and the profound connections players feel to the story and its conclusion. Many reviewers express that the game evokes strong emotions, often leading to tears, and features a soundtrack that enhances the emotional experience. While some critiques mention inconsistencies in character arcs and predictability, the overall sentiment is that the game provides a satisfying and heartfelt closure to the trilogy.

    • “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.”
    • “The story by the end made me feel extremely satisfied to conclude the trilogy.”
    • “It's something unique to say the least, I had always had an emotional connection with Lightning and the character progression of Lightning in this game parodied (related too well) to me, may have just caused a more emotional effect (I literally was blind in tears).”
  • replayability37 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through features like hard mode and new game+, which unlock additional customization options and challenging content. Players appreciate the variety of tactics available and the opportunity to explore different playstyles, although some note that the lack of scaling difficulty can lead to diminishing challenge over time. Overall, while opinions on replayability vary, many find it enjoyable and worth multiple playthroughs for completionists and those seeking to maximize their character's potential.

    • “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.”
    • “Not much replayability, but some.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere32 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII" is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, enhanced by a poignant soundtrack and detailed environments that reflect a world on the brink of collapse. While some players appreciate the engaging worldbuilding and character interactions, others feel the fast-paced gameplay can detract from fully experiencing the atmosphere. Overall, the game successfully creates a unique blend of beauty and melancholy, making it a standout in terms of atmospheric design.

    • “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: FFXIII is brimming with an almost-idyllic, yet apocalyptic atmosphere that I have never seen replicated in any other game, even FFXIII-2, which obviously shares some themes with this one.”
    • “It's a very immersive atmosphere and the game's open world feeling helps enhance this.”
    • “The atmosphere is really dreary and sad.”
    • “It also has a very depressing atmosphere that doesn't do it any favors.”
    • “While the world of Lightning Returns is a broken one, the atmosphere is just as captivating.”
  • stability31 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches, including freezes, crashes, and graphical issues, particularly on PC. While some users have had a smooth experience, others have spent significant time troubleshooting to achieve stable performance. Despite these issues, many still find the core gameplay enjoyable, suggesting that while the game runs well for some, it may require patience and frequent saving for others.

    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck (if you run in desktop mode first, you can adjust the FPS and all that good stuff).”
    • “It runs great on my laptop with a GeForce 860M (almost max) and of course no problems on my desktop with a Core i5 and GeForce 980.”
    • “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 quest dialogues glitching and leaving you stuck in a dialogue loop, forcing you to restart the game to retry.”
  • humor24 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, featuring moments of genuine hilarity, particularly in Lightning's interactions and some side quests, which can be amusingly absurd. While the main plot lacks depth and is often nonsensical, players appreciate the campy humor and funny dialogue, though some find it cringeworthy. Overall, the game offers a blend of funny situations and quirky quests, making for an unpredictable and entertaining experience despite its grindy nature.

    • “I died laughing.”
    • “It's fast paced, the environments are richly detailed, the side quests can be pretty funny, and there are lots of nostalgic FF items and outfits to collect.”
    • “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.”
  • character development21 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the depth and evolution of Lightning's character across the trilogy, while others criticize the lack of growth for supporting characters and the overall narrative coherence. While certain side quests provide valuable insights into Lightning's thoughts and feelings, many reviewers feel that character arcs are often reset or poorly executed, detracting from the overall experience. Ultimately, the game's character development is seen as both a highlight and a significant shortcoming, depending on the perspective of the player.

    • “In some cases, these side quests offer insight into Lightning's thoughts, feelings, and character development while providing some foresight into her character.”
    • “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.”
    • “Terrible character development.”
    • “What little story there was both made me go 'what the actual fuck is going on here?!' while simultaneously ticking me off by throwing out any and all character development the characters had from the past two games.”
    • “Lightning has zero character development throughout the entire trilogy: this is the colossal failure of the entire FFXIII series.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

Buy Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

Play time

49hMedian play time
73hAverage play time
33hMain story
67hCompletionist
17-132hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 18 analyzed playthroughs

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