Final Fantasy XIII is a single-player Japanese role-playing game and the thirteenth main entry in the Final Fantasy series. Combat uses a real-time variant of the series' Active Time Battle system, in which the player directs one lead character while the Paradigm system lets the party switch between combat roles such as attacker, healer, and support. Character growth is handled through the Crystarium, a grid-based progression system that unlocks abilities and stat bonuses. Set across the floating world of Cocoon and the wilderness of Gran Pulse, the game combines science fiction and fantasy elements with series staples like summoned creatures and airships. It was followed by two sequels, Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII.
Final Fantasy XIII is one of the weakest Final Fantasy games ever made, but it isn’t without its merits. The only aspect that is legitimately impressive on all fronts is its graphics. Square Enix was unafraid to let the money burn on screen, and every cent is on fire with how much effort was put into making this one of the best looking games of its...
Though it hurts me personally to lambaste Final Fantasy XIII the way I have, what pains me even more is the poor design and direction I had to endure. Granted, the entire experience wasn’t that bad. Pockets of enjoyment exist throughout and the second quarter of the game is thoroughly enjoyable, but the introductory sequence is a little too hand-holdy...
Parts of Final Fantasy XIII are worth the absurd amount of time it takes to properly open up, but this port is a big letdown.
Final Fantasy XIII has its own set of problems, mainly consisting of a mediocre story and incredibly linear progression for the first forty hours, but the poor PC optimization puts it over the top.
