- Critic Score
- Most active
- Publication
- Most clicked
-
100The streamlined, focused structure eliminates potential tedium without dumbing anything down, and the battle system strikes an elegant balance between strategy and fast-paced action. Stunningly beautiful graphics and a pervasively meticulous level of polish throughout only add to the experience.
-
100Everyone who likes Japanese RPG will love Final Fantasy 13.
-
The graphics only represent the topmost layer of a pervasive meticulousness, and every last detail feels thoroughly polished. [Apr 2010, p.66]
-
100It probably goes without saying that this is one of the most gorgeous games to grace a video game console. FFXIII's in-game graphics look like other games' cutscenes. Its cutscenes look like other games' full motion video, and its full motion video looks like a Hollywood blockbuster.
-
No, Final Fantasy XIII isn't perfect. It is, by and large, an absolutely incredible accomplishment in terms of technical wizardry and streamlining of so much of the unneeded fluff found in a lot of JRPGs.
-
95Despite the omitted tune, Final Fantasy XIII overall is a high quality RPG that is worth every ounce of the hype. It most likely won't change the minds of those who dislike JRPGs, but fans of the genre will love every minute of the 70-100 hours they will invest.
-
95One of the best games that I have played so far this year. The team at Square Enix has really taken a leap in the right direction for the JRPG genre. They have made a gorgeous game that is fun to play, yet at times challenging and rewarding.
-
A phenomenal RPG destined to be remembered as a technical milestone for the series. [Issue#203, p.88]
-
93Square-Enix should receive high praise indeed for their continued willingness to take chances with their flagship intellectual property. While many of the JRPG standards are missing, what remains is an incredible game experience.
-
Final Fantasy XIII is an epic game that plays to its strengths by taking risks.
-
Final Fantasy XIII isn't just a game you merely enjoy. You fall in love with it. It's gorgeous worlds have you stopping to admire them in complete awe, while a graceful soundtrack massages your brain (despite the unfortunate replacement of the original Japanese theme with a song from Leona Lewis).
-
92Final Fantasy XIII is a fantastical foray into a magical imagination. Ably supported by gorgeous visuals, the gameplay ramps up at a rate than can only be described as perfection as you fall in love with the characters in your party and the environment in which they adventure. It's not perfect in every way but the imperfections that are to be found are like dust on a diamond - there, certainly, but utterly irrelevant.
-
We can't assure it is a turning point in the series, but it manages to make fights fun and it's no doubt an outstanding game.
-
91Final Fantasy XIII goes back to the J-RPG-roots of the franchise while stripping away that which made its predecessor appealing to fans of western RPG. For Fans of the linear J-RPG genre, FF XIII is a great game; fans of western freedom had better stay away from it.
-
91Like Mass Effect 2, FFXIII seems to be an attempt to answer the question of how to create an RPG for the modern, console-owning masses. Square Enix's solution is certainly different than BioWare's, but it's arguably just as effective in its own way.
-
90Superb storytelling, a very human cast, and visuals that will change your life, there is nothing to stop anyone from enjoying what this adventure has to offer.
-
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]
-
Even the thirteenth installment keeps the series in high standards and comes with an interesting battle system and stunning visuals. Story though is rather straightforward and more technical than stirring. [Issue#190]
-
Final Fantasy XIII establishes a new reference and reinvents itself again, offering an experience unlike any that came before.
-
The story, its great combat system and its sublime production values all work in one direction: submerge the player in the kind of hyperbolic odyssey that only the JRPG genre can offer.
-
Final Fantasy XIII is an amazing game. With an engrossing story and a thrilling new battle system, this is one title you can't afford to miss as an RPG fan. However, though it succeeds on the most important fronts, there are some notable areas where the game could have been better. The linear level design is a fairly large stumbling block, and if you are used to open-world games, it can make the entire experience feel a little claustrophobic.
-
90The linear beginning may disappoint hardcore players but Final Fantasy XIII is a journey from start to finish and it is worth losing a few days or weeks over.
-
Whether you enjoy it or not will depend on your expectations. Walk into it with a clear mind and you will get lost in this magical fantasy world.
-
90If you expected a traditional JRPG, Final Fantasy XIII will be very disappointing for you. But that's not what Square Enix wanted it to be: this thirteenth chapter is a completely new point of view for the saga, which was in terrible need of a new direction. The plot is intense and built on an enjoyable smaller scope, the battle system is deep and satisfying, and technically (albeit a couple of unexpected flaws) the game delivers. So that's it, a NEW Final Fantasy: if that's what you were waiting for, big time.
-
90Final Fantasy is back, and it's not afraid to take a few risks along the way. Square Enix have taken a giant leap towards genre reform and should be congratulated for it. This is the best JRPG of this console generation by far.
-
Final Fantasy XIII isn't your typical Final Fantasy, but what is? Final Fantasy's tradition is its divergence, and when its execution is ever so clearly in line with its vision, there isn't much else quite like it.
-
90Square Enix has brought some RPG elements to the forefront, while putting some away in the back. This might offend some gamers, but with a mix of tactics, a deep battle system and action-filled battles Final Fantasy XIII will entice plenty of players. The interaction between the characters and the gradual revelations within the story are placed within a wonderful audio-visual jacket and manage to grab the gamer without letting them go. The linear aspect shouldn’t bother anyone in this thirteenth step of one of the most popular franchises out there.
-
90Thank goodness for the battle system, then, because it saves the game while you're wincing through the saccharine banter and waiting for the training wheels to spin off.
-
89Hardcore Final Fantasy fans might be disappointed by the game's abandonment of franchise traditions like open worlds, town exploration and complex mini-games. The game is still worth buying, but it doesn't quite feel as complete as its well-loved predecessors.
-
89While I did find the linear game style to be slightly annoying, it’s a small flaw in what is otherwise a really enjoyable game to play.
-
89Final Fantasy XIII is very entertaining even if the borders between the different genres aren’t visible anymore. Not just great graphics, the simple controls and the interesting story motivate me every time to play another hour.
-
89After a long wait, the newest episode in the Final Fantasy saga has finally reached our consoles. Although it will take several hours of gaming before you will see its full potential, it sure is worth the effort. It will give you hours and hours of gameplay, great visuals in the form of graphics and cut-scenes and off course superb audio. We enjoyed the ride. Next stop: FF Versus XIII or FFXIV.
-
88A unique, refreshing, and strategic battle system unlike any other; it just takes too long to gain total control.
-
Final Fantasy XIII is a big and impressive adventure that manages to push the genre in the right direction. The characters, battle system and the story are all great. The fact that there are parts in the game that are unnecessary long and boring is to bad, still FFXIII is the one of the best RPG’s of this generation.
-
Final Fantasy XIII may not live up to the hype, but any fan of Japanese-style RPGs will find a lot to like here.
-
87It all just works so, so, so well. If this was my first Final Fantasy or even my first RPG, I’d think it’s one of the best things I’ve ever played. But I really can’t shake the recurring feeling that Square-Enix has taken something away from me. It’s hard to pin it down exactly, but it’s the void I feel when I subtract so many beloved role-playing elements.
-
87Final Fantasy XIII is probably the RPG of the year and therefore a must have for any RPG-lover. The game is very strong, has beautiful graphics and good voice-acting. Unfortunately after completing this adventure we again have to wait a couple of years for a new part.
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 158 out of 286
-
Mixed: 43 out of 286
-
Negative: 85 out of 286
-
Breck0
-
4