Final Fantasy XIII

 PlayStation 3
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 2976 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,797 out of 2976
  2. Mixed: 513 out of 2976
  3. Negative: 666 out of 2976
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  1. sapphicvalkyrja
    Jul 7, 2023
    10
    One of the few Final Fantasy games I consider S-Tier. Strong characters, laser-focused writing, and a deceptively deep battle system make for my ideal Final Fantasy game.
  2. Fitzz
    Jul 21, 2023
    10
    L'un des meilleurs final fantasy au quelle j'ai pû jouer deplus la nostalgie d'y rejoué sur next gen est incroyable je recommande à 10000%
  3. ValC
    Mar 14, 2010
    9
    Despite the game being the largest disappointment of the generation, and of Final Fantasy history, the game is still absolutely amazing. FF7 and 8 are definite 9.8s and FF10 and 12 are definite 10s. But this game is just around about 9.0. I say this because the game is actually really good, despite falling short of all Final Fantasy expectations. The battle system is amazing, the story is Despite the game being the largest disappointment of the generation, and of Final Fantasy history, the game is still absolutely amazing. FF7 and 8 are definite 9.8s and FF10 and 12 are definite 10s. But this game is just around about 9.0. I say this because the game is actually really good, despite falling short of all Final Fantasy expectations. The battle system is amazing, the story is amazing. The only thing that is stupid is that the paths are not just linear, they are ABSURDLY linear. Like totally linear. Let's just say that there is no other game in gaming history (that I have played) that is this linear. I mean, we're talking walk straight for hours on end, until you get to about halfway through the game, and it becomes slightly less linear. The graphics are stunning, you want to play the game again and again if you have the chance, and the length is perfect for a FF game.… Expand
  4. JayS
    Mar 17, 2010
    9
    i'm a 100% ff fanboy no game gives me more hours of fun then final fantasy's.. for me 10 & 7 were my favourites and obviously i can't expect them to stick to the same routines lvl up, towns, run around spawning endlessly fights .. well all that said this game is totally different i've play maybe 6-7 hours and the graphics are brilliant as you would expect the story i'm a 100% ff fanboy no game gives me more hours of fun then final fantasy's.. for me 10 & 7 were my favourites and obviously i can't expect them to stick to the same routines lvl up, towns, run around spawning endlessly fights .. well all that said this game is totally different i've play maybe 6-7 hours and the graphics are brilliant as you would expect the story line is a little dull battle system is average but treat this game as a new rpg and not a final fantasy game and it makes it feel alot better.… Expand
  5. Novi4ekNone
    Mar 10, 2010
    9
    good game
  6. HeikkiR
    Apr 7, 2010
    9
    First of all, I want to say that I'm really, really old fan of the series. I think many gamers out there who says FF13 is mediocre and too different, should go and play golden oldies all over again - because it was about the time for some change! (... and not the FF12 style of change, allthough I love the game) Final Fantasy 13 is worth every minute you play it. Gone are the dull First of all, I want to say that I'm really, really old fan of the series. I think many gamers out there who says FF13 is mediocre and too different, should go and play golden oldies all over again - because it was about the time for some change! (... and not the FF12 style of change, allthough I love the game) Final Fantasy 13 is worth every minute you play it. Gone are the dull environments of FF12, or paperthin characters of FF8 and 10. They are replaced by colourful world and characters with real motivations and history that fleshes out every conversation and even the one liners they throw while exploring the fantastic landscapes. Sure there are no towns as as you might remember them from good-old FF's and no worldmap either, but the structure of the game supports these decisions and you don't really remember to miss them that much. They are sacrificed to deliver an great experience. Battle system as every aspect in this game, is different from previous installments but is also excellent. Features of new battle engine is introduced to players little by little, so you won't ever feel lost with them. Battle dynamics really varies if you use different characters or different Paragrim Shifts. It could be said that the battle system is the salt of the FF13, without game feeling like grinding fest (that FF12 was). Story and setting of FF13 are very original, but if there was main inspiration from the previous installments of FF-series it would probably be FF7. Main structure of the adventure is very similar to that of FF7 (but has nuances of FF4 and FF6) and so are many characters. I would love to present theories on this, but I would spoil many things for new players. Fabula Nova Chrystalis has a lot of meat for new installments and I personally cannot wait for Agito and Versus 13!… Expand
  7. JasonB
    Mar 11, 2010
    9
    Spending time in the world of Cacoon and Pulse, I've come to realize that what we have here is a fresh approach to the FF series. Some scoff at the fact that the game is linear, but I say to those scoffers, "Isn't this a Final Fantasy game we're talking about?". If you're looking for an amazing rpg with an inspiring combat system and awesome story....then look no further.
  8. KrisS
    Mar 11, 2010
    9
    Being a long time FF fan, I do have some trouble calling this a Final Fantasy game. However, that is ridiculously unfair to square-enix for this amazingly good game. Based on its OWN merits, it definitely stands on its own as a great story, great characters, and beautiful graphics. Just because people think that a Final Fantasy has to have airships, world maps, tons of side quests, and Being a long time FF fan, I do have some trouble calling this a Final Fantasy game. However, that is ridiculously unfair to square-enix for this amazingly good game. Based on its OWN merits, it definitely stands on its own as a great story, great characters, and beautiful graphics. Just because people think that a Final Fantasy has to have airships, world maps, tons of side quests, and the wide world to explore doesn't mean that Square is going to sacrifice their narrative for you to relive your glory days. This is a GREAT game.… Expand
  9. JulianF
    Mar 13, 2010
    9
    Final Fantasy XIII is like a double step. On one hand, you lose some of the classic things that made Final Fantasy memorable, like towns, mini games and the classic battle theme. On the other hand, this is a huge release for RPGs on next generation systems. This is by far the best battle system ever created in the series, with millions of possibilities a few buttons away, and a live Final Fantasy XIII is like a double step. On one hand, you lose some of the classic things that made Final Fantasy memorable, like towns, mini games and the classic battle theme. On the other hand, this is a huge release for RPGs on next generation systems. This is by far the best battle system ever created in the series, with millions of possibilities a few buttons away, and a live action animation sequence. No more crappy gambit system that 12 had, FF13 is all about getting the job done. On top of that, this game has the most memorable cast since Final Fantasy 7. The only problem I had with the story was the lack of a powerful villian that prior games had, aka Kefka, Sephiroth and Jecht. Other than that, you will not find an equal title on both consoles, I highly recommend any RPG fan to buy this game.… Expand
  10. NickT
    Mar 14, 2010
    9
    I'm a bit disappointed by the bad reviews that this game has been given. It seems to me that they either didn't play the game long enough to get to the real meat and potatoes or they don't understand that each Final Fantasy game is unique in it's own right. Sure, I'd love to see the series go back to the battle and leveling systems of FFVII or FFVIII but I am also I'm a bit disappointed by the bad reviews that this game has been given. It seems to me that they either didn't play the game long enough to get to the real meat and potatoes or they don't understand that each Final Fantasy game is unique in it's own right. Sure, I'd love to see the series go back to the battle and leveling systems of FFVII or FFVIII but I am also willing to try new things. Those of you who don't like this game really need to actually play from start to finish while keeping in mind that each game is its own experience. Anyways, back to my review of Final Fantasy XIII. Graphics: Final Fantasy XIII is the most visually impressive game on the PS3 to date. The game uses nearly 100 percent of the systems processing power and to great effect I might add. Character models are richly detailed, so much so that I found myself wide-eyed when I noticed things like realistic hair that moved naturally, individual strands of threading coming loose from clothing (Snows jacket for example) and facial hair to name a few things. The environments are lush, vibrant and incredibly detailed. Again, I found myself gawking at the impressive scenery that was paraded in front of my eyes. Enemy designs are varied and range from silly to incredible, especially the gigantic enemies found on Gran Pulse. All in all, it's safe to say this game is a technical milestone for the PS3 hardware. Story: To me, the characters were engaging and believable and the voice acting was some of the best I've seen in any game. Not wanting to give any spoilers for potential players I'll keep it short and simple. The plot is nothing compared to FFVII or FFVIII but great in it's own right. It can be confusing and sometimes contradictory but soon rights itself thanks to flashbacks and further explanations by both the characters and the Datalog that can be accessed from the menu. Gameplay: The reason I gave this game a 9 instead of a 10 rests in this area of the game (though I would have rather given it a 9.5 but didn't have that option). I like that I am able to see what I'm about to fight before engaging and enemies are easily respawned for your farming pleasure. The Active Time Battle (ATB) system gives the game a feeling of turn based combat with a dynamic and visually action-packed feel. However, the lack of party control and auto-pilot mode forced me to give this otherwise stellar game a slightly reduced score. For those who are still unfamiliar with Final Fantasy XIII's battle system I will explain it in a bit more detail. You control only one character at any given time and until Chapter 10 (out of 13 chapters) you have no control who that person will be. The other two characters are issued commands through the intuitive and rather ingenious Paradigm Shift system. There are six roles that can be assigned which each behave differently. Those roles are; Ravager, Commando, Sentinel, Saboteur, Synergist and Medic. Medics do exactly what their name implies, Synergists apply special status enhancements to your party like Haste and Protect, Saboteurs cast status ailments on your enemies, Sentinels are tanks who take the brunt of damage from enemies, Ravagers cast devastating magical spells and Commandos deal massive amounts of physical damage. While the AI is smart in that it knows what to do in these roles, it gives you little control over your party. I miss being able to control exactly what my party does. The Auto-Battle function leaves me with the feeling of not truly being in control of my party leader. Don't get me wrong, you are more than welcome to manually select your leaders attacks and spells but there are battles in the game where doing so could spell disaster. It's not that they are overly hard (though there are some tough battles) but the game is extremely fast paced and the enemies do not kindly pause while you select your attacks like in previous iterations. I'm also extremely disappointed in the fact that if your party leader dies it's game over, even if the other members are alive. You're actually the only one who can use the items in battle, the other members use whatever spells or abilities the situation calls for. The system works for the game but is a slight disappointment. For those that complain the game is too linear, that is true for the first half of the game. Once you are able to explore the beautiful regions and fight the towering enemies on Gran Pulse any feeling of linearity quickly fades. The first half of the game helps to immerse you in the rich storyline and character developements. Fans of FFX will loved the Crystarium. An improved version of the Sphere Grid it gives you control over what bonuses and spells you give to each characters roles instead of creating super characters who can do everything at once. I for one like having characters who excel in one thing at a time. Aside from the lack of party control and auto-pilot mode this game does everything superbly. And for those who complain that some bosses are too hard unless you know how to beat them you obviously haven't played other games in the genre. I like that this game makes you think and take advantage of strengths and weaknesses. Sound: As stated previously the voice acting is quite possibly the best in a game to date. I truly felt like the characters were real people with realistically portrayed emotions when the situation called for it. The game music was also incredible aside from 'My Hands' by Leona Lewis. I wish they had picked a different theme song but it at least worked and I found it struck an emotional chord when it played (though you didn't hear me say that!). Final Fantasy XIII is an amazing game that is a definite must buy for any fan of the Final Fantasy series or fan of RPGs in general. It does nearly everything right with exception to the battle system which could have been better but works with the fast paced battles in the game. This game gets my seal of approval and the game in my opinion is worthy of a Final Fantasy title no matter what those low rating blasphemers say. Enjoy my review and enjoy the game!… Expand
  11. JasA
    Mar 15, 2010
    9
    Just play the game before giving it a bad score. There is exploration in the game, it even says so in the manual. And be patient it takes some time before you get there. FF13 is similar to FF10. Leveling system is getting more interesting as you advance in the game.
  12. MarcF.
    Mar 15, 2010
    9
    In the last years Japanese games, specially RPGs has been reviewed very hard. It is true that they no longer have the innovation or technical superiority, but most reviews are completely misleading. Complaining about linearity in a FF is like complaining in a GTA for freedom. JRPG have been linear since forever, and towns and sidequests don't make them less linear. And, if this FF is In the last years Japanese games, specially RPGs has been reviewed very hard. It is true that they no longer have the innovation or technical superiority, but most reviews are completely misleading. Complaining about linearity in a FF is like complaining in a GTA for freedom. JRPG have been linear since forever, and towns and sidequests don't make them less linear. And, if this FF is linear, then ALL the shooters, and 99% of games nowadays should be reviewed accordingly. This FF is not perfect (hence the 9), but overall is excellent. Technical beauty, good music, good story and awesome gameplay. The game opens up and it becomes a really great game, with absolutely everything you expect from a FF game. It appears too late in the game? Well, that's the creator decision, but at least it's there. Reviews seem to forget about it. Any JRPG is gonna like it. Any FF fan is gonna love it. Graphic wh*res are gonna like it. The rest, at least should give it a try. A production like this doesn't come often.… Expand
  13. Balthier21
    Mar 15, 2010
    9
    A new direction for the franchise. Beatiful graphics, incredible soundtrack, great characters and storyline and adictive battle system. Althougth some problems, like few side quests and frenetic rythm sometimes get tired, is a great great, with new perspective.
  14. LoweG
    Mar 17, 2010
    9
    I don't understand why such a game only get 82 for PS3 and 83 for 360. I think it can get better. Hmm... But, as I knew before, I think the PS3 ver is slightly better than 360 ver due its graphic. Only slightly. But, why did it get lower score than the 360 ver. What happen man???
  15. GregN
    Mar 21, 2010
    9
    Fantastic! Much better looking than even MGS4. I put that game in my console just to compare and couldn't believe how drab and washed out it looked next to FF13 and I loved MGS4. In fact, I still think it is the greatest single player game ever! It just isn't the best looking anymore. As great as the Heavy Rain people did with there awesome attempt at realism this game still is Fantastic! Much better looking than even MGS4. I put that game in my console just to compare and couldn't believe how drab and washed out it looked next to FF13 and I loved MGS4. In fact, I still think it is the greatest single player game ever! It just isn't the best looking anymore. As great as the Heavy Rain people did with there awesome attempt at realism this game still is the most visually engaging video game experience yet. The gameplay is also leaps and bounds beyond it's predecessors and explains why so many so-called FF fans are upset. They are like your Grandfather who is afraid of change, even if it's good change. No having to heal between battles? Great! No pointless annoying mini-games? Awesome! Being able to buy, sell and upgrade from all save stations which are placed generously? Hear Hear! I did find the end to be a little unnecessarily torturous. I actually found Hope to be a much more annoying character than Vanille but by the end the great storytelling had me caring about all the characters. Not perfect but a great effort in a great new direction where RPG's are less of a chore and more fun for your valuble time.… Expand
  16. JonA
    Mar 13, 2010
    9
    I give this game an 8.5, but round it off to 9 instead because of the people who give it less than 7. I thought I would be disappointed in this game after seeing a few reviews, but I was wrong. The most defining thing about every final fantasy game is its graphics. I have to say that this doesn't disappoint. The graphics are just gonna amaze you and it is one of the best this gen of I give this game an 8.5, but round it off to 9 instead because of the people who give it less than 7. I thought I would be disappointed in this game after seeing a few reviews, but I was wrong. The most defining thing about every final fantasy game is its graphics. I have to say that this doesn't disappoint. The graphics are just gonna amaze you and it is one of the best this gen of gaming. The cutscenes are rendered in 1080p and it is sweet! The game itself runs at 720p (for PS3), but it still looks great. Another good thing about the game is the battle system. In my opinion, the battle system is the best out of any Final Fantasy game I've played. It's more traditional ATB than one would think and I thank Square Enix for drifting away from the FFXII battle system. You get to play in roles: Commando (the traditional melee/warrior-type class), Ravager (the mage/magic-user), Medic (the healer), Synergist (the party buffer), Saboteur (the enemy enfeebler), and the Sentinel (the defender role). All of these can be arranged withing your party and it is called a Paradigm. In-battle you can switch paradigms to take advantage of a situation/enemy weakness. For example, if you find your attacks to be insignificant, make a paradigm shift that has a saboteur and allow them to cast Deprotect and Deshell, then quickly swap to attack-specific paradigm to chain attacks and stagger an enemy making them even more vulnerable. This allows great room for strategy and it is executed well. Yet another great thing in this game is the abscence of random encounters as well as healing to full life immediately after battle allowing for less healing on the main menu as it was in previous FF games. The characters are generally likeable and the story picks up later on in the game. These things make the game great, however, there are also flaws that need to be adressed. First is the very linear nature of the game. The game forces players to follow very linear dungeon type maps. It's basically get from point A to point B. There's also a clear lack of town and world map. I miss these things because it allowed the player to rest in between story sequences. The game does, however, turn less linear when you reach a certain point in the game, but it is way too late in the story. Overall though, this game is a very good addition to the FF series as it has one of the most exciting battle system in any JRPG game. I hope this helps!… Expand
  17. JordanF
    Mar 14, 2010
    9
    Great game. Music is fantastic, graphics are DECENT (they are not as great as everyone says, but hey, who cares), great animation, fun and exciting new battle system which is both frantic AND tactical, and an intersting storyline. Im guessing that people will either love or hate this game. If you LOVED FFXII, I'm betting you won't like this so much. However, if your like me and Great game. Music is fantastic, graphics are DECENT (they are not as great as everyone says, but hey, who cares), great animation, fun and exciting new battle system which is both frantic AND tactical, and an intersting storyline. Im guessing that people will either love or hate this game. If you LOVED FFXII, I'm betting you won't like this so much. However, if your like me and found XII to be dull and uninspiring, this is probably the FF game for you.… Expand
  18. JamesW
    Mar 15, 2010
    9
    I really don't understand all the criticism of this game. First of all yes there aren't any little villages to wonder around, get over it! Why do you want to have to walk to separate shops to buy weapons, armour, potions etc...? Yes it's linear, just like all the others, it just doesn't try as hard to disguise that fact. I am pretty certain from reading the review by I really don't understand all the criticism of this game. First of all yes there aren't any little villages to wonder around, get over it! Why do you want to have to walk to separate shops to buy weapons, armour, potions etc...? Yes it's linear, just like all the others, it just doesn't try as hard to disguise that fact. I am pretty certain from reading the review by Edge magazine that they have now become totally corrupted by bribes from publishers! Bayonetta got 10/10, a totally linear game with terrible screen tearing, dodgy voice acting and an overly complex plot. Then they give Final Fantasy 5/10?! Final Fantasy 13 is an epic, huge and beautiful game, totally absorbing with an incredible story, great characters and one of the greatest battle systems I have ever come across. Stop nit picking about the lack of Japanese soundtrack(!?!) lack off little villages with silly shops and lack of attempts to disguise the linear story and just enjoy this fabulous games, You won't find another game that provides this many hours of solid entertainment for your money until the next one!… Expand
  19. A203D
    Mar 17, 2010
    9
    Although not perfect and dissappointing is some ways. Having actully finished the game I can say I really enjoyed the story, characters, new battle system & the dense atmosphere. I hope people take the time to get at least halfway before making their verdict. I think the reason its get so badly judged is because the story in the first few chapters has been exposed so much on game sites Although not perfect and dissappointing is some ways. Having actully finished the game I can say I really enjoyed the story, characters, new battle system & the dense atmosphere. I hope people take the time to get at least halfway before making their verdict. I think the reason its get so badly judged is because the story in the first few chapters has been exposed so much on game sites etc, its not enough to carry the game at first because we already know a lot of what will happen at the beginning. I think there shouldve also been a bit more depth into the fal'cie origin in the main story not just the datalog. But of course this is planned as the first in a complication of games. So I'm looking foward to seeing how this series pans out. Definitly an intense & exciting game.… Expand
  20. NateS.
    Apr 20, 2010
    9
    Square Enix has taken a novel new approach to the design of their latest RPG. I've found that although the beginning of the game follows a linear path, the battle system has been redesigned, and there aren't the typical towns found in prior releases, the game is extremely fun and vastly different from other RPGs I've played in the past. My only complaint is that the game is Square Enix has taken a novel new approach to the design of their latest RPG. I've found that although the beginning of the game follows a linear path, the battle system has been redesigned, and there aren't the typical towns found in prior releases, the game is extremely fun and vastly different from other RPGs I've played in the past. My only complaint is that the game is slow to transition complete control to the player in battles, probably to entice people new to the genre.… Expand
  21. JamesB.
    Apr 20, 2010
    9
    This game is gorgeous, fun, inventive, and really is the best RPG series ever. Though, the only thing that confused me was the fact there was no multiplayer. the AI is good and all, but i would have liked to add in at least one friend to help me, but its just a small problem. i havnt played the entire thing, and i will do another review to overview the entire thing, i just think there This game is gorgeous, fun, inventive, and really is the best RPG series ever. Though, the only thing that confused me was the fact there was no multiplayer. the AI is good and all, but i would have liked to add in at least one friend to help me, but its just a small problem. i havnt played the entire thing, and i will do another review to overview the entire thing, i just think there should be a multiplayer, see u guys later in another review.… Expand
  22. Wes
    Apr 3, 2010
    9
    There has been a lot of talk about the linearity of this game, and yes... this game does force you down a narrow corridor for the first 20 or so hours. That being said, this game is a lot of fun, and the story is very immersive (I actually think this is the first game that I have watched all of the cut-scenes while playing). I didn't really mind the linearity or the actual levels, There has been a lot of talk about the linearity of this game, and yes... this game does force you down a narrow corridor for the first 20 or so hours. That being said, this game is a lot of fun, and the story is very immersive (I actually think this is the first game that I have watched all of the cut-scenes while playing). I didn't really mind the linearity or the actual levels, however the fact that the leveling system is somewhat linear drops this game from a 10 to a 9. I also would have liked to have the ability to pause combat to select actions.… Expand
  23. David
    Apr 7, 2010
    9
    Although this is the first FF game I've played thoroughly (Played 7 for a little bit), I really liked it because the stories were for the most part completely seperate. There are a couple similarities, but they don't cause major confusions. I would have given this game a 10, but there were two problems that become apparent later in the game. The earleir of which is the Although this is the first FF game I've played thoroughly (Played 7 for a little bit), I really liked it because the stories were for the most part completely seperate. There are a couple similarities, but they don't cause major confusions. I would have given this game a 10, but there were two problems that become apparent later in the game. The earleir of which is the difficulty spikes. Sometimes, you'll play 2 or 3 easy bosses (yes, bosses, not just big monsters) that you can knock down on your first try. But then, you come to one that will murder you the first 15 minutes you play him. This occasionally happens with the monster encounters, but that's not that big of a spike. The second problem I have, is that sometimes, the AI can make you want to throw your remote through your TV. You can be fighting something and have two members take hits from it. One will be a huge hit, the other will be a glancing blow. Your designated healer will sometimes heal the one with more health, causing the dying one to take another hit and die. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING!!! Especially on bosses. All-in-all, a very fun game I highly reccomend, despite its occasional shortcomings.… Expand
  24. JonathanR
    Mar 14, 2010
    9
    Its a new, fun take of the Final Fantasy franchise, but lacks the old Final Fantasy feel. Its a very good game, but after growing up playing most of the Final Fantasy out their, it doesn't give you that nostalgic feeling that others might give you. The plot is great, even though it extremely hard to understand in the first 10-12 hours. The graphics are amazing and the combat is great Its a new, fun take of the Final Fantasy franchise, but lacks the old Final Fantasy feel. Its a very good game, but after growing up playing most of the Final Fantasy out their, it doesn't give you that nostalgic feeling that others might give you. The plot is great, even though it extremely hard to understand in the first 10-12 hours. The graphics are amazing and the combat is great (although with some fights it does get repetitive). But in the end, its a great addition to the franchise (especially since the last 2 were really weak) and hope we come to see many more Final Fantasy in our future.… Expand
  25. JoshS
    Mar 14, 2010
    9
    I love movies so much more than games. I do, however, love Final Fantasy games more than all of the movies in the world. Why? Because to me, getting to know and love a cast of characters for 40+ hours is so much more impactful than after 2 hours. Yeah, a multi-entry saga like The Lord of the Rings can have a serious impact after its total 10+ hours of film, but it still can't come I love movies so much more than games. I do, however, love Final Fantasy games more than all of the movies in the world. Why? Because to me, getting to know and love a cast of characters for 40+ hours is so much more impactful than after 2 hours. Yeah, a multi-entry saga like The Lord of the Rings can have a serious impact after its total 10+ hours of film, but it still can't come close to emulating the emotional satisfaction I feel when I complete a Final Fantasy game. It's been nearly a decade since I've experienced this. Final Fantasy X was the last entry in the series that I consider to be a "real" FF (Final Fantasy). FFX is also what first inspired me to pursue storytelling and animation as a career. It's definitely one of the greatest stories ever told, and without a doubt, my personal favorite story. Ever. Imagine my anticipation for the coming of what appeared to be the first "real" entry to the series in nine years! Finally, another FFX! By the way, all FF games are completely self contained and featured unique worlds, characters and stories. Only a few elements carry over to each, giving it a familiar, yet entirely original feel. So, did it meet my expectations? Well, I'm pretty sure that would be impossible. It is, however, a great game. Unfortunately it's not one of the stronger entries. Luckily, Final Fantasy XIII is far greater than the sum of its parts. The futuristic city world of Cocoon floats above the abandoned wilderness of Pulse.Hovering above the wilderness of the world called Pulse is Cocoon, a self contained human paradise. It was created by the god-like beings known as fal'Cie (pronounced fal-see) to protect humans from the dangers of Pulse. The fal'Cie would occasionally deem a human their servant, which would be known as a l'Cie (pronounced luh-see). If the l'Cie falied his (or her) "focus" or took too long to complete it, he would turn into a cie'Th (pronounced seeth). If success was achieved, he would turn into crystal and gain "eternal life." To humans, either fate was worse than death itself. In Cocoon, there was no need for l'Cie, in fact nobody had been turned into a l'Cie in hundreds of years. They were deemed myth, and everything of Pulse origin was feared and loathed. When six Cocoon citizens are turned into l'Cie by a Pulse fal'Cie, they are labeled enemies of their home, Cocoon. Can they defy their fate? Final Fantasy games are story-centric. They always follow a similar formula, too. A group of unlikely heroes must band together to topple some form of corrupt government, which usually leads to the reveal and pursuit of a much higher, world-threatening power. Nearly every entry in the series has done a great job of keeping that concept completely original and fresh. The members of the creative team at Square-Enix are expert storytellers. They've proven it time and again. It's a little unfortunate that the first time it comes across slightly stale (at least when compared to their enormously positive track record) is with the first game whose level of production matches that of CG movies (thanks to the PS3). It really does have an INCREDIBLE story at it's core, but the way in which it's told certainly isn't as masterfully crafted as its predecessors. The world is deep and vast, and once I finally got a grasp on what had been going on behind the scenes, all of the seemingly aimless segments of the game's plot fell in to place. Still, some plot aspects seemed awkwardly forced, as if the great cast of characters were constantly being thrown into situations that the writers deemed "had to happen." It's not always like this, as there are a few multi-hour segments that feature some of the best storytelling in the series. Outside of the cutscene-featured plot I also had to read many entries of the "datalog" to really appreciate the world and story. This is something I really loved. Similar to the appendices at the end of The Lord of the Rings, the datalog provides a vast amount of information about the deep workings of the huge world Square-Enix created. Unfortunately, a lot of this game's players simply aren't going to take the time to read it, and will therefore miss out on a LOT of the game's inner plot. Although it's a great addition to the game, I really wish a bit more of it had been worked into the cutscenes to make the plot flow a bit better. A few slow areas and forced events aside, FFXIII really does have a great story. It's really the characters that make it work. They are some of the best characters in the series. They're endearing, relatable, and by the time I reached the end they had become an active part of my life. Yeah, they start out as jerks and have some seriously messed up motivation, but the realization of their own flaws just makes them that much more relatable. I became incredibly involved in their struggle to defy their fate. On many occasions I found myself yelling at the bosses I was fighting because I was so furious at what they were putting my dear friends through! And now it's all over. I miss them already! Complementing the story is a fantastic battle system. A heavily evolved version of the classic turn-based combat the series founded two decades ago really takes the gameplay in a great new direction. Rather than inputting the commands of each party member and waiting for your next turn while enemies wallop you, the player controls only the party leader in a seemingly real-time experience. You enter manual commands (multiple chained abilities per-turn) while also actively switching sets of "roles" for your party to fit the current situation. The system really puts you in control of the tactical flow of the battle, rather than having you input every single command. It takes a LOT of strategy, especially since the battles are moving incredibly fast. The handy "auto-battle" command sounds like a cheap way to let the game play itself, but it's honestly a life saver. The complex battle system can be excruciatingly punishing at times, but that just makes it all the more rewarding. Leveling through the Crystarium (a simplified version of FFX's sphere-grid leveling system) is also a welcome change to simply gaining level-ups after a battle. It allows some freedom to choose which roles you develop for each character. There's also a fancy weapon/accessory customization feature. As far as level design goes...Yeah, it's linear. Linearity doesn't really bother me as long as there's a great story driving me. I mean do many gamers seriously enjoy getting lost? Not me! During some of the plot's slower chapters I did start to notice just how claustrophobic and narrow some areas could be, but it did little to detract from how beautiful the scenery is. The narrow corridors do have one huge benefit. When you finally make it down to Pulse, the reveal of the open landscapes and natural environments rank among my absolute favorite moments in gaming history. It's just so liberating! The game looks and sounds great. No need to elaborate much here. It may not be as visually impressive as Uncharted 2, but it's got a level of polish that generally isn't seen in a game. There are tons of changes in scenery, each containing equal attention to detail. The character models, however, are hands down the best seen in a game. Ever. Best facial animation, best motion capture, best hair...You name it, FFXIII wins. Prerendered FMV's (full motion videos) are also the best ever seen. and run in full 1080p on the PS3. The music is also fantastic and memorable, despite a few tracks that seriously don't fit the mood well (harmonica solo...). Oh, and the voice acting is top-notch. It adds yet another layer of believability to these incredibly human characters. It may seem like I'm tearing the game apart, but it's really just nitpicking. Though I wasn't entirely thrilled with the experience while I was playing, it now all blends into a single fantastic memory. If I had never played a Final Fantasy game and then dove straight into FFXIII, I would probably call it the greatest game ever made. The team at Square-Enix has made so many absolute masterpieces that even a game like FFXIII, which I consider to be one of the greatest games of the current console generation, will come across a tad disappointing when compared to FFVII, FFIX and FFX. It really is a masterpiece. It's just that I've come to expect nothing short of perfection from Square. FFXIII makes a number of missteps; some large and some small, but for each of the game's downsides, there are many upsides that blow all games in recent memory out of the water. In the end, the game comes to such a satisfying climax that my mixed reactions of the past 45+ hours all instantly melded into a single, complete memory of fondness and love. Go in with an open mind and I assure you that an incredibly satisfying fantasy epic awaits you. Overview: Pros: +Has a great story at is core. +Endearing, relatable characters. +Fantastic character backstory, development and drama. +Top-notch voice acting. +English lip-sync! +Cutscenes are beautiful and are at the same production level as a CG movie. +Emotionally investing and rewarding. +Satisfying ending. +Some great and memorable music. +Epic. +Enthralling action scenes. +Pretty scenery. +Nice art direction. +Exploring Pulse is fun. +Deep and involving battle system. +Incredibly addicting. It makes the hours pass like minutes. Literally. I played for 22 hours straight at one point and it felt like 5. +Challenging difficulty once it gets going. +Incredible final bosses. +Generally impressive AI. +Tons of deep coverage on the worlds of Pulse and Cocoon in the datalog. +Snow getting punched in the face. Cons: -A few long stretches of seemingly unmotivated plot developments. -Some claustrophobic level design. -Paradigms (sets of battle roles) reset whenever characters are swapped. There seriously needed to be a "save paradigm set" feature. -AI-controlled party members don't always target the leader's target. -The great story isn't told as well as it could have been. -Lots of essential plot will be lost to players who refuse to read the datalog. -Menu animations are too slow. I wanted to click faster than it would let me. -Gameplay could use more variety. Towns to explore, sidequests other than monster hunts, more mini-games, etc. -Some music has awkward placement. -The final location in the game is really ugly. Consensus: Far greater than the sum of its parts, Final Fantasy XIII overcomes its would-be glaring flaws with great characters, a fantastically addicting battle system and a deep, complex world. There's also a great story hidden away at its core, but it might require a little extra effort to uncover it than simply watching the cutscenes. Go in with an open mind and I assure you that an incredibly satisfying fantasy epic awaits you. 9/10.… Expand
  26. RinduriC
    Mar 14, 2010
    9
    8 seems too low and 9 just a bit high, so I'll round up. First few hours (Chap 1-3): good storyline, boring combat. Next few hours (Chap 4-6): boring storyline, repeatative combat. From there on out (Chap 7+): FANTASTIC gameplay and where the game really does show it's colors. By the way, once you get past Chapter 11 it opens up and throws away the linear-ness to a point where 8 seems too low and 9 just a bit high, so I'll round up. First few hours (Chap 1-3): good storyline, boring combat. Next few hours (Chap 4-6): boring storyline, repeatative combat. From there on out (Chap 7+): FANTASTIC gameplay and where the game really does show it's colors. By the way, once you get past Chapter 11 it opens up and throws away the linear-ness to a point where you will hate yourself for ever doubting the game. In my opinion, this game is amazing, just give it a bit and don't judge a book by it's cover. Oh, and the story is pretty freaking awesome.… Expand
  27. JamesP.
    Mar 15, 2010
    9
    Not the best ps3 has to offer, not the finest of the series but still an incredible work of art you have to experience..I admit i had my reservations at the start (for all the known reasons) but the innovative battle system, the beautiful graphics, the tight storyline and douzines of other smaller touches won me over. Must buy!
  28. DustinL
    Mar 16, 2010
    9
    I'm 27, and have ben playing since FF 1. The series has changed things once again, but if I really think about it, they haven't changed at all. Any complaints are usually about something that FF has had before. Hatres, and nostalgia goggles are the only reason for low scores. I'm 42 hours in and loving every minute.
  29. ShawnF
    Mar 17, 2010
    9
    Honestly people, Square is never going to make another "old-school" RPG like VII-IX again, might as well accept that and move on. Catering to a wider audience makes more money and they probably won
  30. TimothyH
    Mar 19, 2010
    9
    Final Fantasy 13 is an excellent example of how JRPG's can evolve into more action-based genres and succeed. The game has managed to sell over 5 million units worldwide since the release in Japan and continues to sell in big numbers today. The story is simple and easy to understand and you can easily emphasize with the characters and their plights. The battle system requires a large Final Fantasy 13 is an excellent example of how JRPG's can evolve into more action-based genres and succeed. The game has managed to sell over 5 million units worldwide since the release in Japan and continues to sell in big numbers today. The story is simple and easy to understand and you can easily emphasize with the characters and their plights. The battle system requires a large amount of tactics and forethought before rushing headlong into battle with overpowered characters that kill everything in one hit. The music is superb, if not the most memorable. Final Fantasy is definitely a game that RPG lovers will enjoy, go out any buy it today.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Best PS3 Game of 2010
2
#2 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2010
3
#3 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 83 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 83
  3. Negative: 1 out of 83
  1. RPG Fan
    81
    As an RPG, it is an excellent experience that provides a beautifully crafted world and engaging battle system. However, as a Final Fantasy game, it falls short of expectations somewhat.
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  2. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    90
    Ten hours in you might have doubts, but stay with it and you'll be smitten right through to the frankly unbelievable end. [Apr 2010, p.104]
  3. Everyeye.it
    85
    An unexpected Final Fantasy. The 13th chapter has a great story and some of the most incisive characters of the whole series, and even the battle system works very well, being deep and complex (even if you control only a single character). But on the other side the overwhelming linearity of the plot, the absence of cities to explore, and the small amount of side quest will disappoint fans' expectations.
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