Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

 Xbox 360
User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 271 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 145 out of 271
  2. Mixed: 49 out of 271
  3. Negative: 77 out of 271
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  1. orsonriven
    Mar 3, 2014
    4
    One of the best battle systems that square has made, the worst story that Square has ever made, seems to be just like FFX-2, great battles, crap story.
  2. ZackFair
    Dec 27, 2016
    4
    the clock at the top of the screen broke the immersion and the way to do the real final is sucks, and we can only play with lightning it's boring becouse we found the other characters in game but we can't put they in the party
  3. FelesMala
    Feb 27, 2014
    3
    Such a wasted opportunity. I've been looking forward to a new RPG to play from SE, even after the mediocre FF13 and sequel. And it could have been good. BUT:
    No xp for fights - why bother, apart from MMO style collect quests.
    Time limit... in an RPG? WHY? Other reviewers say 'oh its good, it makes you strategise and plan'. But being 'made' to play a certain way is awful. Sure some people    Such a wasted opportunity. I've been looking forward to a new RPG to play from SE, even after the mediocre FF13 and sequel. And it could have been good. BUT:
    No xp for fights - why bother, apart from MMO style collect quests.
    Time limit... in an RPG? WHY? Other reviewers say 'oh its good, it makes you strategise and plan'. But being 'made' to play a certain way is awful. Sure some people play that way anyway, and this game is for them. But many play rpgs to relax, explore, delve deep into stories and side quests.
    Not knowing rewards before doing a quest, kind of like a blind sphere grid.
    Lastly, being reminded of said time limit constantly, 'sense of urgency' you say? Fun-killing anxiety rather

    Whoever put the time limit in should not be allowed near games, never mind RPGs. Stop ruining FF. Ugh.

    Maybe Mistwalker will make a sequel to Lost Odyssey... I give up on Square    … Expand
  4. JoeLouis3849
    Mar 23, 2014
    1
    I don't give a behemoth's bare backside if it's been mentioned before. I'm going to say it again. Why is there a time limit in an open world RPG?? That time limit killed ANY and all fun I could have gleaned from the game. I respectfully disagree with the previous reviewer. A game deserves a 0 if the person who spent their hard earned money on it found it to be a pile of steamingI don't give a behemoth's bare backside if it's been mentioned before. I'm going to say it again. Why is there a time limit in an open world RPG?? That time limit killed ANY and all fun I could have gleaned from the game. I respectfully disagree with the previous reviewer. A game deserves a 0 if the person who spent their hard earned money on it found it to be a pile of steaming summer harbor trash for whatever reason. Only reason I gave this thing a 1 is because Lightning is pretty hot (despite the fact that she weighs about 22 pounds).… Expand
  5. TriviumFan17x
    Feb 22, 2014
    3
    I enjoyed FF13, the story was good and the combat was decent, but everything has went downhill since the first entry to this series. I gave Lightning Returns an honest try, but the story was just terrible. They completely abandon everything that has happened so far to make Lightning the savior of a previously unmentioned god? And you have to save souls which make a tree grow which somehowI enjoyed FF13, the story was good and the combat was decent, but everything has went downhill since the first entry to this series. I gave Lightning Returns an honest try, but the story was just terrible. They completely abandon everything that has happened so far to make Lightning the savior of a previously unmentioned god? And you have to save souls which make a tree grow which somehow extends the amount of time you have? Whatever, I could just ignore the story if the gameplay was good, but that is not the case. The combat is too simplified and stale, which has been the case with the other entries in the series, but at least they had a decent story and more than one character you could control. This game just isn't worth your time, just wait for the FFX remaster, or FFXV to come out.… Expand
  6. sujiro
    Feb 15, 2014
    1
    this game failed me..and whose idea to put time limit in rpg game while you can explore the open world? no sense at all and waste of money. 1/10 just for you.
  7. MikeZillaGames
    Feb 17, 2014
    1
    Ho, boy...what a disaster.

    I was pretty unimpressed by FF13, for all the reasons you've probably already heard. You don't need to hear those reasons again...but suffice to say aside from the game's pleasing visuals, it wasn't very well executed. So, why was I willing to give Lightning Returns a try? Well, I happen to find a way to play it with no expense to myself, and I wanted to    Ho, boy...what a disaster.

    I was pretty unimpressed by FF13, for all the reasons you've probably already heard. You don't need to hear those reasons again...but suffice to say aside from the game's pleasing visuals, it wasn't very well executed.

    So, why was I willing to give Lightning Returns a try? Well, I happen to find a way to play it with no expense to myself, and I wanted to see how or IF Squenix managed to fix anything.

    Nope. Lightning is still a boring, slightly arrogant, monotonous, annoyance. She is, perhaps, the WORST character in the entire franchise...often times being meaninglessly violent or stupid, and only serving to drive by "plot points" that further the game's convoluted writing.

    And yet, so many people are willing to turn a blind eye to her dullness and stupidity because, well, "sex sells". Lightning Returns is more of the same, only somehow they managed to take the old formula and make it even more boring.

    If you still hold cherished memories of the Final Fantasy series as it used to be somewhere in your heart, then DON'T play this mess of a game.    … Expand
  8. bugbear1
    Feb 19, 2014
    0
    In a word: "shovelware." Extremely disjointed and obtuse story elements compound the many problems of an already poorly written plotline; rather, a poorly localized plotline, marred by inconsistencies, contradictions and apparent fanservice that goes awry the minute the models start moving. Technical issues abound including many npcs clipping through each other to an increasinglyIn a word: "shovelware." Extremely disjointed and obtuse story elements compound the many problems of an already poorly written plotline; rather, a poorly localized plotline, marred by inconsistencies, contradictions and apparent fanservice that goes awry the minute the models start moving. Technical issues abound including many npcs clipping through each other to an increasingly staggering framerate likely due to a possible memory leak, poor lighting and poor collision only heighten the disjointed presentation.
    Square-Enix plastered "IT ALL ENDS HERE" on the back of the XBOX box for Lightning's return. . . .
    -Let's hope so! :(    … Expand
  9. michael117
    Feb 16, 2014
    2
    I liked the ability to change costumes and customize your character, but thats about all i have to say thats good about this game. The advancement system is terrible. The game was not one that i found enjoyable to play, it felt more like a chore and i found myself playing for no more than about 20 mins at a time before getting bored and frustrated and going off to play something else. TheI liked the ability to change costumes and customize your character, but thats about all i have to say thats good about this game. The advancement system is terrible. The game was not one that i found enjoyable to play, it felt more like a chore and i found myself playing for no more than about 20 mins at a time before getting bored and frustrated and going off to play something else. The time limit is the worst idea that SE have ever put into a game, even if you can go new game plus you replay most of the same crap over and over again for very little gain. The whole FFXIII series has been a gigantic disappointment and i'd much rather play the classics from FFVI-FFXII. I hope square fixes their games and that the next FF has a decent story with more likable characters or i wont be purchasing any more in the future… Expand
  10. NoctisHikaru
    Jan 7, 2015
    0
    Jogo de bicha, em inglês "Gay's game". As mecânicas prometeram muito, mas na verdade entregaram muito pouco! Como em raios (e em Lightnings) do universo você tem tempo cronometrado para jogar um RPG? Final Fantasy que não se evoluiu lutando!? Melhor, lutar aqui não tem sentindo algum! Dá para chegar ao último chefe lutando pouquíssimas vezes!! Trocar de roupinha? E rosa?! Vai brincar deJogo de bicha, em inglês "Gay's game". As mecânicas prometeram muito, mas na verdade entregaram muito pouco! Como em raios (e em Lightnings) do universo você tem tempo cronometrado para jogar um RPG? Final Fantasy que não se evoluiu lutando!? Melhor, lutar aqui não tem sentindo algum! Dá para chegar ao último chefe lutando pouquíssimas vezes!! Trocar de roupinha? E rosa?! Vai brincar de Barbie Motomu Toriyama (Go play with yours Barbies Motomu Toriyama)! Não sou machista, mulher TEM que jogar videogame também, mas nem a mais meiga e "rosinha" das garotas que conheço jogariam isso aqui! Poha! Vá pro inferno trocar de roupinha! O que irrita é o fato do Versus XIII ir pra nova geração por culpa dessa porcaria de Trilogia XIII! Lixo! Não presta! Se você está lendo meu review, tire a poeira do seu PS2 e vá jogar Final Fantasy XII como se não houvesse amanhã! TORIYAMA! TALK WITH MY HANDS!! WORST SQUARE ENIX'S GAME EVER!… Expand
  11. mr_dad
    Aug 28, 2015
    4
    Why can't she just stay away?

    To be clear, I don't think FF13 was that bad. In fact I think the sequel could have been a really solid RPG, were it not for it's sequel-bait last 2 minutes. Lighting Returns, on the other hand, has extensive customization, a decent battle system, an open world...and yet STILL manages to be even more boring than both of its predecessor's combined. With an    Why can't she just stay away?

    To be clear, I don't think FF13 was that bad. In fact I think the sequel could have been a really solid RPG, were it not for it's sequel-bait last 2 minutes. Lighting Returns, on the other hand, has extensive customization, a decent battle system, an open world...and yet STILL manages to be even more boring than both of its predecessor's combined. With an unlikable cast, a painfully predictable plot, and a doomsday-clock that ends up more frustrating than engaging, LR may may be the worst console FF game to date.

    Never come back, Lightning. Never EVER come back.

    THE GOOD
    + Lots of customization options
    + Pseudo-job system, and Tales-like combat really comes alive during the boss fights.
    + A proper open world with lots of detail.

    THE BAD
    - The Doomsday clock discourages exploration and experimentation
    - The plot is just Final Fantasy XIII again...only even more predictable
    - Every character is a mopey-dropy stick-in-the-mud. Seriously, what have you done to Sazh!
    - Terribly balanced difficulty
    - Far to frustrating and tedious to recommend.    … Expand
  12. Joe_E_Dee
    Apr 28, 2015
    2
    The developers are tryin too hard to make the franchise into something its not. The story and setting are 2nd rate at best. The savior on a mission from god?........Didn't really care for the battle system, poor camera angles when fighting multiple enemies. Time gated content is annoying. The best thing about this game is outfit customization. It's a game to avoid, even at the low price itThe developers are tryin too hard to make the franchise into something its not. The story and setting are 2nd rate at best. The savior on a mission from god?........Didn't really care for the battle system, poor camera angles when fighting multiple enemies. Time gated content is annoying. The best thing about this game is outfit customization. It's a game to avoid, even at the low price it can be had.… Expand
  13. KiyoshisIsland
    Jun 9, 2014
    2
    I will admit that the last two Final Fantasy 13 games were better than most people said, as it had many good things as well as flaws. However, Lightning Returns really ruined the trilogy of games with how much of a trainwreck it was. This game really went downhill with all of its flaws...The only good thing about this game is the graphics, but if you put lipstick on a pig, it's still aI will admit that the last two Final Fantasy 13 games were better than most people said, as it had many good things as well as flaws. However, Lightning Returns really ruined the trilogy of games with how much of a trainwreck it was. This game really went downhill with all of its flaws...The only good thing about this game is the graphics, but if you put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig. They can't hide all the flaws of the game by giving everyone eye candy. All of the issues with the other games were exemplified ten fold in this game which was very sad. The dialogue, which I thought bad in the first 2 got even WORSE. They talk like they don't even care about the game. Every character either talks like they are on laughing gas or like they have no emotions and it gets annoying. Another flaw is the time system. This contradicts the open world which they added. You can't explore because you don't want to run out of time. Also, all of the old RPG traits were kind of replaced with new type of things. No levels, you get your stats through quests which just waste time. The story by far is the worst thing about this game though. How is anyone supposed to understand what is going on. The story is so convoluted at this point that I have given up trying to interpret it. Don't waste your time on this game, it is a disappointment to the series. Lightning to be honest should have never returned...… Expand
  14. Kaprawiec
    Dec 19, 2014
    3
    Lets start with statement: I love final fantasy series. My favourites in order are: FF10, FF8, FFIX, FF 10-2, FF13, FF7, Crisis Core, FF13-2, Dirge of Cerberus, FF12. I finished all of them, couple of times. I also tried to play FF1-6 but i was unable to enjoy them, I guess i got them too late (after FFX).
    So in summary You can say im a fan.
    Lets go with this piece of.. 1) The story. I    Lets start with statement: I love final fantasy series. My favourites in order are: FF10, FF8, FFIX, FF 10-2, FF13, FF7, Crisis Core, FF13-2, Dirge of Cerberus, FF12. I finished all of them, couple of times. I also tried to play FF1-6 but i was unable to enjoy them, I guess i got them too late (after FFX).
    So in summary You can say im a fan.
    Lets go with this piece of..
    1) The story. I finished 13-2 about a year ago. I dont remember the story too well, because it was overcomplicated and rather bad. This one seems even worse. So again we got some lCie falCie etc. Whats the point of making out so many weird names? Bungabunga god? Savior women who save souls by wiping somebodys behind? Meh... 1/10
    2) Gameplay - second most important thing in ff series after story. Are SE kidding me? I start the game. I did first quest and now i am able to roam enywhere i want. I forgot to save game. I explore the town and stumble into girl who wants to beat some monster which killed 12 hunters. Ok second quest in the game shouldnt be that hard. Lets get him. Cool im fighting some dragon! After some button mashing, he like two shot me. Game over.. Restart from autosave about 1 hour earlier, but maybe my bad lets do something else. Hope suggest me to go elsewhere. I go on some plains yada yada first monster outside the train station. Bahamut-like creature. Im really scared. Yes, he two-shots me. Restart. This time from autosave on plains. Another set of monsters. Button-mash-fest. Chaos. Game over. Maybe Ill stick to the city. Mechanically looking monster not from quest. It seems i cant stagger him. The fight drags on for ~15 minutes. But I won! Ill be da badaasss because he has to give me lots of xp. WRONG! Ehh... this is just stupid. The whole run around huge maps searching for quest thing is stupid. I decided - I wont play this game anymore, because I dont want to study walkthroughs, and i dont have the time to run around stressed wathing that clock in right corner ticking... So overall gameplay for me 0/10.
    3) Graphics. Those are actually ok. The model of lightning looks a bit awkward (sword is levitating behind her back, and it has other ghostly abilities, but this is common on x360 games so ill do a blind eye to that. Maps are a bit empty. I liked design in FF 13 so much better. But overall good 6/10.
    4) Music. From what i was able to hear, its waried, but not as good as in Nobuo Uematsu era - 6/10.
    5) Overall. The game is bad. Just bad. Its not Final Fantasy anymore. 3/10    … Expand
  15. 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
  16. Yased
    Jan 15, 2023
    0
    If you too have gone through the horrible decables of the atrocious ffxiii and ffxiii-2 during the Xbox360 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,    If you too have gone through the horrible decables of the atrocious ffxiii and ffxiii-2 during the Xbox360 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

Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2014
6
#6 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2014
20
#20 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Games.cz
    Mar 25, 2014
    50
    A weak ending of the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy. Lightning Returns lags behind with its crappy story, atrocious dialogues, and new genre mechanics that work only sometimes.
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  2. Digital Spy
    Mar 9, 2014
    60
    While Lightning Returns is in most ways the opposite of Final Fantasy XIII's overbearing linearity, it ultimately shares the same core recommendation; if you manage to stick with what's a very uneven first half, there's definitely an enjoyable and satisfying role-playing game to be found. It's just a shame it takes so much time to get there.
    Read full review
  3. Critical Hit
    Feb 24, 2014
    65
    There is a lot wrong in this last installment for FFXIII. Fans of the franchise will need to play it to enjoy all the nods to past characters, yet it is not worth playing for those who aren't already huge FF or JRPG fans.
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