Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

 PC
User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 144 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 144
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 144
  3. Negative: 36 out of 144

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  1. Dynel
    Feb 19, 2017
    0
    time limit. unoriginal quests. world ends regardless. worst ff ever.

    squeenix tried to squeeze more money out of player base and fans. AVOID

    You absolutely NEED a guide for the "good" ending or to find a particular enemy. Also, some enemies are invincible.
  2. Yucuvu
    Oct 2, 2022
    0
    I can give you a truly precious advice.
    Don't waste your time and your money with this terrible bad game. Because it isn't worth it.
    Unless you wish to play a "Barbie game"....
  3. nikitalolo
    Dec 12, 2015
    9
    Recommended! Very good port!
    1080p and 60FPS with upgraded graphic - new lighting, realistic DOF effect and anisotropic filtering.
    But interface texture has drawn for 720p resolution. I have beat a half of this game and i want to say this game is very intresting. I like new battle system, but it a little worse than battle system in XIII and XIII-2, because Lightning in only one    Recommended! Very good port!
    1080p and 60FPS with upgraded graphic - new lighting, realistic DOF effect and anisotropic filtering.
    But interface texture has drawn for 720p resolution.

    I have beat a half of this game and i want to say this game is very intresting. I like new battle system, but it a little worse than battle system in XIII and XIII-2, because Lightning in only one playable charcter in LR:FFXIII.
    And i like game story too, i very glad to meet all of main characters from XIII and XIII-2 again.    … Expand
  4. Jeek
    Jan 24, 2016
    3
    Easily the worst Final Fantasy game ever made. Who thought it would be a good idea to put time limit? And the whole time thing was just a pain in the ass. Port was good for sure. The best port in XIII series, but game itself is just garbage.
  5. damianshrinivas
    Dec 16, 2015
    9
    Definitely best port from Square. 1080p and constant 60fps, performance is great without any stuttering like XIII and XIII-2. Game is different than XIII but not much from XIII-2 except for one playable character but i like non-traditional jrpg form. Of course art is fantastic, characters and story that for someone maybe a little confusing. My personal issues are that this game is aDefinitely best port from Square. 1080p and constant 60fps, performance is great without any stuttering like XIII and XIII-2. Game is different than XIII but not much from XIII-2 except for one playable character but i like non-traditional jrpg form. Of course art is fantastic, characters and story that for someone maybe a little confusing. My personal issues are that this game is a nightmare to play on keyboard so buy a gamepad, and anti-aliasing could be better… Expand
  6. enternius
    Dec 14, 2015
    9
    If you can believe it, this game runs flawlessly at 60 FPS, meaning it's potentially the first time SE has made a good PC port. Everything functions as it should, which is miles better than XIII and XIII-2's ports.

    As for the game, I've now played all three of them, didn't much care for the first two but this game is a complete turnaround of that. It's genuinely fun to play and explore,    If you can believe it, this game runs flawlessly at 60 FPS, meaning it's potentially the first time SE has made a good PC port. Everything functions as it should, which is miles better than XIII and XIII-2's ports.

    As for the game, I've now played all three of them, didn't much care for the first two but this game is a complete turnaround of that. It's genuinely fun to play and explore, feeling more like Dragon's Dogma than the other two FFXIII games.

    Surprised to say it, but I would absolutely recommend this game.    … Expand
  7. naznomarn
    Dec 12, 2015
    3
    I am genuinely perplexed as to how this port has gained any favourable reviews.
    As ports go, it's barely a token effort. If you've ever used a console emulator on a keyboard, you'll understand the experience.
    So far, I've had the game window open for two hours. One hour of that was working round two game breaking bugs just to get past the first cutscene. The rest of that time was    I am genuinely perplexed as to how this port has gained any favourable reviews.
    As ports go, it's barely a token effort. If you've ever used a console emulator on a keyboard, you'll understand the experience.

    So far, I've had the game window open for two hours. One hour of that was working round two game breaking bugs just to get past the first cutscene. The rest of that time was trying to find controls that were in any way usable in order to get through the first battle.

    There has been no effort put in to make the game playable on a PC. There is no mouse support, and despite mapping keys all over the keyboard and separating out menu directional controls from movement directional controls (I really wish I were kidding), they've bound jump, cancel, and one of the attack buttons to backspace, another attack button to comma, and the last one to Enter.

    So you will have to use a gamepad to play this game. But what if the gamepad isn't the gamepad they used? Well you're still out of luck, as you can't remap gamepad buttons. But "Ahah!" you might say, "I can simply remap my joypad!". "No" the game replies, as every time you select a menu item, it stops taking any inputs until you click outside of the game window and click back inside it.

    While this game can be played up to 1080p / 60fps, the graphical options are a random mishmash of options featuring just about everything you never wanted, and nothing you did. Bizarrely, there isn't an anti-aliasing option in there, yet it does have the ominously labelled "Color correction" and "Glare adjustment".

    This port can be summed up by the message displayed after hitting new game which reads "Do not turn off your Playstation 3 system..."
    So if you're thinking about buying this game, consider that advice: Leave the PS3 on, and this poor excuse for a port off.    … Expand
  8. Krypto_Dogg
    Jan 5, 2016
    9
    I had anxiety about the time limit until the second playthrough when I realized I had like 3 or more days left and I had done everything except wipe out all last ones. Lot of content, but it's set-up to where you can do all of it. Still I'm taking my time and just playing it multiple playthroughs instead of even trying to use a guide and play everything all at once.

    I won't spoil    I had anxiety about the time limit until the second playthrough when I realized I had like 3 or more days left and I had done everything except wipe out all last ones. Lot of content, but it's set-up to where you can do all of it. Still I'm taking my time and just playing it multiple playthroughs instead of even trying to use a guide and play everything all at once.

    I won't spoil anything or even tell you anything you can see from any other honest review--meaning anything 7 and up. I'll just say this is truly Final Fantasy and I haven't felt like this about the franchise since 6 (when it was still called 3 in the US). XIII series is really great. Totally epic. Not sure what the best trilogy in gaming of all time is, but this would be a top candidate for me. Haven't finished Witcher 3 yet.    … Expand
  9. Skillful
    Dec 25, 2015
    0
    Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit Time limit
  10. scarfake
    Jan 8, 2016
    10
    good ported game. you can take 60 fps in game. battle system is real time system and have 4 skill you can use in battle. defense attack magic and debuff. there are a lot of skills you can choise and you can use 4 skills. open world gameplay. graphics and city designs are perfect. i liked them. scenario is not good and not bad. it is mixed but there are cliches. no skill tree. you can makegood ported game. you can take 60 fps in game. battle system is real time system and have 4 skill you can use in battle. defense attack magic and debuff. there are a lot of skills you can choise and you can use 4 skills. open world gameplay. graphics and city designs are perfect. i liked them. scenario is not good and not bad. it is mixed but there are cliches. no skill tree. you can make stronger your character with items and skill. skills can be improved. also outfits can make your character stronger. every outfit is different. some of all are phsycal damage some of all magical damage some of all tanky-like paladin-. every outfit has 4 skill you can make custom. no teammates only lightning. and lightning can use 3 outfits in a battle.

    i think it is good arpg game. better than 13 and 13-2.    … Expand
  11. ultraviper
    Sep 10, 2019
    5
    The story is bad. It has very little to do with the games it is a direct sequel of. The quests themselves rarely have anything to do with the plot, and even less to do with the actual characters. At one point Lightning needs to break into a palace because reasons, but she can't get over the wall. She must first knock over a statue on a stage. But first she has to wander the city collectingThe story is bad. It has very little to do with the games it is a direct sequel of. The quests themselves rarely have anything to do with the plot, and even less to do with the actual characters. At one point Lightning needs to break into a palace because reasons, but she can't get over the wall. She must first knock over a statue on a stage. But first she has to wander the city collecting fireworks to knock over the statue. And then get a part in the play to get access to the stage. Which she needs a costume for, which she can only get by winning battles in the coliseum. What.

    The setting is bad. The entire game takes place in only four areas: two cities and two wilderness areas. The quests in the cities will make you walk back and forth across them several times over. The wilderness areas are vast expanses of mostly empty land, creating long walks for no reason other than to waste the player's time.

    The combat is bad. The game encourages you to spam moves because it adds bonus damage if you start your attack at the exact same the previous attack lands. Except the attacks use up your energy bar which refills v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y so in all but the easiest fights you're spending most of your time standing around waiting for your bars to refill themselves.

    Leveling up is bad. In most games you kill monsters, get xp, and level up. In this game, you kill monsters, get loot, turn in loot to level up. It's basically the same but with an extra step added in. This is the side quest system put in the game in the place of actual side quests.

    The graphics are... decent. But they are a definite downgrade from FFXIII. There are lots of ugly textures. All but the first and last cutscenes are done in-engine with terrible facial animations, instead of the pre-rendered scenes we got in FFXIII.

    There are features of the game that should have been available from the start but instead are only available after beating the game. Things like upgrading weapons and armor.

    The time mechanic, I'm convinced, is there only to frustrate the player and make the game less fun. Time happens in 24-hour days, with each day ending at 6am, when you are teleported back to your base automatically. There are doors that only open at certain times of the day. The only way to pass time is to either stand around and wait, or find an inn and pay some money to fast forward. At one point I was in front of a door I needed to pass for a quest, but I was there 3 hours early. I could either stand there and wait for about 10 minutes of real time, or walk across half the city to an inn, pay my 500g fee, and then walk back. Neither option is fun. In one dungeon there are doors that open/close on every hour. There are no inns in the middle of the dungeon obviously. If you are waiting for a certain door to open or close the ONLY choice is to wait. Time passes in the game at about 3 actual seconds per game minute. So you could be standing there doing nothing for up to 3 minutes before your door does anything. The entire game is also on a time limit, where you only have a certain number of days before the game is over. This time can be extended by doing side quests. In my playthrough I was done with all the main quests on day 4. I had enough side quests done to extend the final day to day 13. So the overall time limit really isn't much of a problem. Except for the fact that the game doesn't let you go to the final area until the final day arrives, and there is no way to skip straight to it. So for about an hour I did nothing but this: talk to innkeeper. Pick a time to fast forward to: scroll through all the hours of the day until I get to 6am and select it. Loading screen. Wake up. Game says it's 6am, time to get teleported back to base. Loading screen. Appear in base, walk to teleporter, choose to teleport back to the inn. Loading screen. Day 5 begins. Repeat all of the above. Day 6. Repeat again and again for days 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12...    … Expand
  12. CalemVastia
    Feb 18, 2016
    10
    Amazing music, Original combat system, Open World and best graphics than console versions, highly recommended for players looking for a challenge game , time is not merely a problem, complete the game you tomata at least 50 to 60 hours depending on the difficulty , 100% recommended 10/10
  13. 22446688Bb
    Aug 5, 2019
    10
    Trio 13 is excellent in all respects, offering an excellent story with very famous characters. Turns out to be like the old parts.
  14. Strannik610
    Mar 30, 2017
    9
    Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII - достаточно интересное окончание трилогии Final Fantasy XIII если и не в сюжетном плане, то в геймплейном уж точно. Игра в отличии от других частей делает уклон в экшен добавляя в механику таймер который заставляет игрока продумывать план действий на перёд и активно двигаться по не самом сильном сюжету. В боевой системе управление доступно только заLightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII - достаточно интересное окончание трилогии Final Fantasy XIII если и не в сюжетном плане, то в геймплейном уж точно. Игра в отличии от других частей делает уклон в экшен добавляя в механику таймер который заставляет игрока продумывать план действий на перёд и активно двигаться по не самом сильном сюжету. В боевой системе управление доступно только за Лайтинг (в некоторых случаях в партию дают помощников, но это единичные случаи), система умений перенесена с персонажей на костюмы с помощью которых можно комбинировать разные приёмы. Так же боевая система стала ещо более активная и зрелищная, что в общем учитывая современные реалии скорее преимущество чем недостаток, хотя чистокровным слешером игра не стала. Основной сюжетный квест не особо оригинальный и упорно продвигает одну тему "дружба спасёт мир" что впрочем не смотря на свою наивность смотрится достаточно мило, есть несколько неплохих сюжетных поворотов, а также большое количество сайд-квестов от банального найди/собери/убей до вполне интересных детективных историй. Графика и стиль игры не равномерные, чувствуется "бюджетность игры": основные персонажи и монстры проработанные значительно лучше чем простые боты разнообразие которых создаётся комбинацией разных типов одежды, аксессуаров и причёсок, но особым недостатком не являются, если воспринимать игру на уровне игр поколения ПС3, также в игре реализован псевдо-открытий мир в виде четырёх больших локаций исследования. Музыкальное оформление игры выдержано на достаточно высоком уровне как в плане музыки (особенно музыканты в поселениях), так и внутриигровых звуков и озвучки персонажей. Относительно ПК версии стоить отметить достаточно хорошую оптимизацию и не требовательность игры, хотя в 2015 году можно было и сделать более разнообразную настройку параметров игры, также игра не поддерживает использование мыши, хотя это назвать большой проблемой не выходит, всё равно через пол-часа час привыкаешь.
    В общем игра получилась достаточно добротным представителем JRPG с элементами ARPG.    … Expand
  15. RPGBuff
    Apr 15, 2017
    8
    Good solid game. While I'd say games like Lost Odyssey and Final Fantasy 15 are most definitely the better games, I enjoyed my time in the Lightning trilogy. The branching paths of Final Fantasy 13-2 are gone for the most part in 13-3, replaced by a time limit. This is a bit of a letdown since, I know most players do in fact love exploring in RPG/adventure games rather than being rushedGood solid game. While I'd say games like Lost Odyssey and Final Fantasy 15 are most definitely the better games, I enjoyed my time in the Lightning trilogy. The branching paths of Final Fantasy 13-2 are gone for the most part in 13-3, replaced by a time limit. This is a bit of a letdown since, I know most players do in fact love exploring in RPG/adventure games rather than being rushed through the main story. Although playing parts of Lightning Returns over and over is quite a good time, it is a bit limiting that you can't stop or slow down the clock. Overall I do have to recommend this one as it is many times superior to FF13, and if I was to compare it to FF Type 0...I would give Type 0 the nod in terms of story but not gameplay. There is something very satisfying, in a Devil May Cry sort of sense, about playing Lightning Returns in different ways and what it truly needed was more optional bosses. I give it an 8 out of 10 since it lacks the branching paths FF fans really love. Overall it is an impressive game, don't overlook this even if you've not tried FF13 before since it's better.… Expand
  16. diari
    Oct 1, 2017
    10
    I liked this game a lot, first of all, Lightning used to be together with his friends and family in FFXIII, in FFXIII-2 she was separated from everyone but watching from the shadows. In LRFF she finally fulfills her dreams where she can be reunited with everyone, though, shortly after the events of this game, they are separated (again) but this time Eclair (Lightning) accepts her fate andI liked this game a lot, first of all, Lightning used to be together with his friends and family in FFXIII, in FFXIII-2 she was separated from everyone but watching from the shadows. In LRFF she finally fulfills her dreams where she can be reunited with everyone, though, shortly after the events of this game, they are separated (again) but this time Eclair (Lightning) accepts her fate and steps off the train. It kind of reminds me of my own life: I met people bound by fate and without them I'd never be in the position I'd be in now. I tried to meet everyone again, but it seemed to be impossible.

    Luxerion was very dark, and the slow piano music made me teary. You are looking for your friends; the time is running out, and here you are, in a city where one man sings the saviour song, and you just stand still and want to cry. It feels like there is no hope.

    The romantic music that Masashi Hamauzu really causes me to feel melancholic; the music is 10/10.
    Yusnaan at night felt like Sapporo, northern of Japan, where I was walking around with a girl I liked very much at the park when there were neon lights everywhere, just like that city. During the night the music becomes very festive-like, and then the fireworks parade makes the game feel a little bit more lively.

    The wilderness also had great music composed by Mizuta Naoshi, and re-used tracks from FFXIII-2, this further made me feel very nostalgic. During the dark, I really felt alone and when I found the Moogle village I felt fuzzy and warm. But I kept thinking about the Chocobo. Once we went through the forests together, it didn't feel lonely anymore.

    The desert didn't have a sad atmosphere to it, and also because we meet one comrade. Seeing the train rails in the sky and thinking it will go to the city areas made me feel ''connected''

    Next the battle system: there were so many garbs with abilities attached to them, and in the beginning I was so confused, I couldn't understand how battle worked. However, once I got the hang of it, combining and firing off gigantic spells on my enemies and critting because they are weak to it felt so satisfying.

    The atmosphere was fantastic; the music fitted well and I'm listening to it on daily basis, the story about uniting and then accepting farewell was very sad and nice, the battle system felt satisfying, the art and level design were superb!    … Expand
  17. SolarConker
    Jan 21, 2019
    10
    I didn't like this game at first but it grew on me I still don't like the constant timer but I like how it links back into the plot and how they completely changed the battle style while still being similar to XIII and XIII-2
  18. Watersson
    Jun 2, 2019
    7
    Best PC's port of the whole trilogy, but as a game it's not that good. The first thing - story. I actually enjoy the concept of strong female lead, but Final Fantasy was always about completing a team and following their story (like Yuna and her guardians or Zidane along with his extraordinary friends). LR:FF XIII shows us Lightning, the girl that we have seen in 2 previous games. ItBest PC's port of the whole trilogy, but as a game it's not that good. The first thing - story. I actually enjoy the concept of strong female lead, but Final Fantasy was always about completing a team and following their story (like Yuna and her guardians or Zidane along with his extraordinary friends). LR:FF XIII shows us Lightning, the girl that we have seen in 2 previous games. It wouldn't be bad but well, story is incredibly twisted and not interesting at all. I haven't enjoyed a single minute of listening to the dialogues! There is also some kind of time limit in the whole game that, I guess, is supposed to pump out the gameplay. In my opinion is was just a stupid idea, that made me a little bit stressed.
    Combat itself is like a mix between Final Fantasy X-2 and Final Fantasy XIII. Lightning can change her costume during the battle. It gives her access to the new abilities, It works similiar to Garment Grid from X-2. The biggest perk is improvement in graphics - it is the best looking game in the whole trilogy. And although the world may be empty sometimes, it is pretty enjoyable to look at it.
    As I've mentioned before - port itself is good, especially compared to the 2 previous games,when to be honest, Square Enix did a terrible job, but when it comes to game - well it's just good    … Expand
  19. leSange
    May 24, 2023
    3
    такие классные кат сцены и такой ужасный геймплей Душность это имя этой части, только ты начал игру тебе говорят у тебя есть 7 дней на все квесты, может чуть больше. И ты как угорелый носишься по локациям, метки только на основной квест. НПС появляются в зависимости от времени дня, пропустил? Жди следующий день. Чуваки пишут, ну это уже на второе прохождение. Какое второе? Я хочу один разтакие классные кат сцены и такой ужасный геймплей Душность это имя этой части, только ты начал игру тебе говорят у тебя есть 7 дней на все квесты, может чуть больше. И ты как угорелый носишься по локациям, метки только на основной квест. НПС появляются в зависимости от времени дня, пропустил? Жди следующий день. Чуваки пишут, ну это уже на второе прохождение. Какое второе? Я хочу один раз пройти и все. Это какая то средняя игра для PS3, я не хочу в неё играть 100+ часов. И бегает она ещё так, меееедленнно, есть бег, но он так быстро кончается, вот что нельзя было сделать что бы она всегда бегала? Это что бы от мобов было сложнее убегать. Так мобы ничего не дают кроме бабла и EP, а EP мы используем на что? Прально. На CronoStasis, что бы на 2 минуты остановить время, что бы блин успеть там чё нить сделать. Какой гений так придумал, ну есть сложные игры, секиро там, тарков. Но эта игра не сложная, она тупо душная и локации так себе. Зато на ГГ 100+ одежд, сиди выбирай. А катсцены очень крутые, да… Expand
  20. mugsy
    May 9, 2020
    7
    Better than XIII, worse than XIII-2. Time limit is annoying and makes you rush through the game instead of taking your time to explore every nook and cranny, but at least it fits the theme and plot of the game.
  21. RayTeamStrategy
    Feb 2, 2020
    9
    Joins my favorite RPGs of all time with Final Fantasy VIII and Saga Frontier. It would get a higher rating but it's just a RPG, not exactly my favorite genre of games. RPGs seem to always have some flaws somewhere. And this game is no exception. I think most of the flaws of this game were due to the low time invested in finishing the game. But functionally speaking, it has worked on myJoins my favorite RPGs of all time with Final Fantasy VIII and Saga Frontier. It would get a higher rating but it's just a RPG, not exactly my favorite genre of games. RPGs seem to always have some flaws somewhere. And this game is no exception. I think most of the flaws of this game were due to the low time invested in finishing the game. But functionally speaking, it has worked on my computer better than the previous installments of the FFXIII series have worked, so at least they didn't sacrifice performance when they rushed out the game. This game does a poor of explaining itself and has hidden data just like the earlier games. Unfortunately, because the game is so radically different from other RPGs... it's sort of a hybrid of action-RPG and rogue-like but it's also very, very, very forgiving which isn't typical of a rogue-like. When you story over, you keep practically all of your battle progression.

    There isn't as much action as one might normally expect out of an action-RPG which is a reason why I mention that it's 'sort of a hybrid'. Definitely the most unusual RPG I've played and certainly out of all the FF games that I've liked also the least like any other FF game but it's still very good so it shows it's possible to make good stuff even though it's different from traditional games.

    I got 100 percent completion (Steam Achievements) on all 3 FFXIII games but I did it on this game the fastest and I enjoyed every moment of it unlike the previous games. I'm still having fun with it and trying to do stuff I haven't managed to do before.    … Expand
  22. HRChan
    Aug 1, 2020
    9
    Such a great mechanic that we are literally against time in this game! I love everything about this game, the new combat, the costumes, and the music! I just wish they remaster this game soon for future consoles or PC remaster, I will buy it no doubt!
  23. tigor91
    Feb 15, 2022
    10
    В 2021 году, в связи с отсутствием нормальных игр перепрошел эту игру на PC. Я понимаю, что для 2014 года оценка может и актуальна, но для 2021 года это просто шикарная игра. Да графика не дотягивает. гемплей слегка устаревший. Зато интересная история. И по сравнению с тем , что вышло в 2021 году это шикарная игра.В 2021 году, в связи с отсутствием нормальных игр перепрошел эту игру на PC. Я понимаю, что для 2014 года оценка может и актуальна, но для 2021 года это просто шикарная игра. Да графика не дотягивает. гемплей слегка устаревший. Зато интересная история. И по сравнению с тем , что вышло в 2021 году это шикарная игра.
  24. delaware80
    Mar 3, 2021
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. FF 13-3

    First of all the idea of RPG and time limit does not fit. In comparison to FF 13-1 a bad story with no good cut scenes. The story of world ends ‚oh NO‘. The side quests are very boring in contrast to FF 15. So do not spend time on this game - there are pretty better ones of the Franchise.    … Expand
  25. aeroslimshady
    Jul 28, 2022
    8
    A great game with a fantastic battle system and a unique time limit mechanic that actually makes the story mean something mechanically and makes this game stand out amongst a sea of overrated mediocrity. PC port's performance is bound to your CPU though, so if you have a laptop, you won't be hitting 60 FPS outside of dungeons.
  26. MadB4n
    May 16, 2021
    7
    Somehow this became my first FF game leading to me having no clue on what's going on regarding the story nevertheless game was ok the combat was new to me but quite interesting the soundtrack ✓ overall had a decent time playing being this my first FF I gave a generous review
  27. Ozhubi
    Apr 25, 2022
    1
    A boring mess.
    With ridiculous plot and awful gameplay
    It's easily one of the worst games I've ever played
  28. Sequn
    Aug 2, 2022
    1
    The last, unfortunate, experience with the horrid "heroine" Lightning. Another sh#t game
    In this latest game the graphics suck, becoming much worse than its previous games xiii and xiii-2. The gameplay becomes totally action, based only on her and her RIDICULOUS costumes, which make her the gaming joke of the PS3 era.
    The plot is getting worse, becoming a sad pretense of an illogical    The last, unfortunate, experience with the horrid "heroine" Lightning. Another sh#t game
    In this latest game the graphics suck, becoming much worse than its previous games xiii and xiii-2. The gameplay becomes totally action, based only on her and her RIDICULOUS costumes, which make her the gaming joke of the PS3 era.
    The plot is getting worse, becoming a sad pretense of an illogical "race against time" and only suitable for an idiotic management of events.

    In short, a bad game to close a horrible forced trilogy.
    Save your money, and stay away as far as you can from this piece of crap    … Expand
  29. aecsuter
    Aug 18, 2022
    6
    Pros:
    - Graphics even more beautiful than the previous ones.
    - Gameplay in very fun and dynamic battles, albeit a little limited. - Newgame+ very interesting. - Best ending I could ever want for this trilogy, with amazing CGs. Cons: - Soooo weak plot, characters that were very well built in the first and second didn't matter at all. - Boring, absurd and aplenty sidequests. - Game    Pros:
    - Graphics even more beautiful than the previous ones.
    - Gameplay in very fun and dynamic battles, albeit a little limited.
    - Newgame+ very interesting.
    - Best ending I could ever want for this trilogy, with amazing CGs.

    Cons:
    - Soooo weak plot, characters that were very well built in the first and second didn't matter at all.
    - Boring, absurd and aplenty sidequests.
    - Game over time limit (Although I have more than enough time to do everything, I didn't know that in the first gameplay).
    - Most of the weapons with a generic and ugly model. (Including the best in the first gameplay).
    - Wide variety of clothes that interfere with strategy, but that limit you in newgame+.

    I think it's worth playing for those who got here in the saga ffxiii, the combats are cool, but the story is too weak and I only gave a positive review because of the ending that is simply wonderful, the most beautiful CG I've seen so far.

    64 out of 100    … Expand
  30. Yased
    Jan 15, 2023
    0
    If you too have gone through the horrible decables of the atrocious ffxiii and ffxiii-2 during the past era, then this Lightning Returns represents the horrid conclusion of a sh*tty pseudo trilogy, made with rubbish scraps. Literally...
    Gameplay actions extremely limited and soulless, costume system in a style worse than ffx-2; ridiculous maps like the usual ridiculous monsters design, 2    If you too have gone through the horrible decables of the atrocious ffxiii and ffxiii-2 during the past era, then this Lightning Returns represents the horrid conclusion of a sh*tty pseudo trilogy, made with rubbish scraps. Literally...
    Gameplay actions extremely limited and soulless, costume system in a style worse than ffx-2; ridiculous maps like the usual ridiculous monsters design, 2 flat and empty cities like a blank sheet of paper, and an even more stupid and ridiculous storyline than the 2 previous games.

    My advice?
    Stay away from this horrid crap, it's not worth your time.    … Expand
  31. LastResource
    Jan 14, 2023
    10
    worth it and glad to play this game again. so much memories and nostalgia within this thirteenth game in the series.
  32. NN010
    May 7, 2023
    8
    Lightning Returns is an overambitious, experimental & emotional finale to the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy/Lightning Saga. The combat is pretty fun with a surprising amount of depth for a team that had never really done action-combat before, with it's DNA being pretty visible in Final Fantasy VII Remake. The story, while undeniably a mess that was made messier by the localization, is aLightning Returns is an overambitious, experimental & emotional finale to the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy/Lightning Saga. The combat is pretty fun with a surprising amount of depth for a team that had never really done action-combat before, with it's DNA being pretty visible in Final Fantasy VII Remake. The story, while undeniably a mess that was made messier by the localization, is a pretty decent one that adds a lot of depth and nuance to Lightning as a character. The time limit is an interesting attempt to impose the pressure Lightning faces in her final mission onto the player, but is balanced in such a way that players will either be turned off by it's inclusion or find it too generous to pose much of a concern.

    Decent PC port though. Up to 4K resolution with 60 FPS & improved lighting, Depth of Field & texture filtering (although the visuals are generally pretty poor compared to other late 7th gen games like The Last of Us & GTA V and there still are some performance issues due to the Crystal Tools engine being pushed way beyond it's comfort zone). This PC port is also much more stable than XIII & especially XIII-2's ports.

    Ratings

    Creative score (story, gameplay, voice acting, art direction): 8/10
    Technical score (graphics, audio, performance)): 6/10
    Business Practices score: 6/10 (fine, but there was a **** of costume DLC, all of which have stat boosts due to the Schemata System & consumer outcry over XIII-2’s costumes lacking any (that feels weird to say given the push back against any form of Pay to Win these days), although these costumes are included in the PC port with some exceptions that can be re-added via mods)
    Overall score (my thoughts on a game’s overall quality, doesn’t consider the business practices unless they are detrimental to the experience): 8/10

    An extended version of this review can be read here: https://www.grouvee.com/user/NN010/reviews/3211423/    … Expand
  33. imalynxcat
    Aug 17, 2023
    3
    yine bir optimizasyon faciası ve yanında kötü oyun tasarımıyla oyunu çekilmez durumda. Optimizasyon sorunlarına rağmen 13 üçlemesinin ilk iki oyununu bitirebilmiştim ama bu oyun kötü dizaynı sebebiyle oynanmayacak seviyede. süre limiti, kalitesiz görevler her şey bir arada resmen.
  34. Nivhu
    Jun 26, 2023
    0
    This trash game is far from even being a decent game
    And far away from being something of relatively even an acceptable action
    It's leave a bad taste in my mouth for ages, so avoid this
  35. Tintler
    Jun 24, 2023
    6
    Önceki iki oyuna(Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2) göre baya farklı bir çizgi izlemiş. Açıkcası genel görüşün aksine bu iki oyunu seviyorum. Bence güzel bir son oldu bu setting için. Tabi ki bir şaheser falan demiyorum fakat oynarken ve bitiminde tatmin oldum.

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015
91
#91 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. CD-Action
    Mar 4, 2016
    60
    Lightning returns for the last time, as a PC port, and wow, Japanese do not understand computers at all. Not even mouse support!? [02/2016, p.59]
  2. Game Debate
    Mar 1, 2016
    60
    In comparison to XIII it’s certainly a stronger experience, but it’s a case of whether you can stomach yet another adventure in that vein.
    Read full review
  3. Everyeye.it
    Jan 11, 2016
    68
    Quotation forthcoming.
    Read full review
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