Final Fantasy XIII

 PlayStation 3
Final Fantasy XIII Image
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 83 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 2846 Ratings

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  • Summary: In Final Fantasy XIII, you will embark on a journey through the cityworld of Cocoon and the outerworld of Pulse. Along the way, you will encounter diverse allies who will fight alongside you. Execute powerful attacks with weapons and magic, and summon the enigmatic Eidolons with an evolvedIn Final Fantasy XIII, you will embark on a journey through the cityworld of Cocoon and the outerworld of Pulse. Along the way, you will encounter diverse allies who will fight alongside you. Execute powerful attacks with weapons and magic, and summon the enigmatic Eidolons with an evolved Active Time Battle system. Experience seamless transitions between real time gameplay and in-game cinematics. Do you have the courage to face your destiny?… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 83
  3. Negative: 1 out of 83
  1. GamesRadar+
    100
    The 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.
  2. Computer and Video Games
    92
    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).
  3. 9Lives
    90
    Square 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.
  4. GameZone
    85
    A game that impresses easily – merely looking at this game will have eyes popping and jaws dropping. However, get beyond that and there is a very linear game with many prototypical J-RPG elements in place. While there is some latitude for how battles are fought, for the most part, the game holds the player’s hand and escorts them through this fantastical land that is part fantasy and part sci-fi.
  5. PSM3 Magazine UK
    81
    Linear and needs patience, but tells an epic, emotive story with rare polish. [Apr 2010, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Boomtown
    80
    Yes this game is very linear and you can wonder why you’ve paid £40 to wander in pretty much a straight line. But don’t forget what you’re playing Final Fantasy for; the story and battles. And Final Fantasy XIII delivers big time.
  7. Destructoid
    40
    It takes more than graphics to make a game, and Final Fantasy XIII offers very little else other than eye candy. Ultimately, this latest addition to the Final Fantasy series is a pompous and masturbatory affair, created seemingly to promote the developer's ego first, and the player's enjoyment second.

See all 83 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 211 out of 466
  2. Mixed: 96 out of 466
  3. Negative: 159 out of 466
  1. chare11
    Aug 2, 2011
    10
    While still playing this game, I can assure you that Square-enix took one step in the right direction. In Final Fantasy XIII you will findWhile still playing this game, I can assure you that Square-enix took one step in the right direction. In Final Fantasy XIII you will find everything a game should have: Great story, well-developed and compelling characters, stunning enviroments, one of the best musical scores of the series, entertaining battle system, and DIFFICULTY. Every role is vital, and strategies are key for some battles. For those who like to compare FFXIII to other FFS just remember how great were FFVIII & FFVII, but how easy they were as well. I found that FFXIII is the oppossite of FFXII. Whereas FFXII gave you the freedom you 'need', tons of quests, it offered, IMO, the weakest story and character development of the series. In contrast, FFXIII is brilliantly developed, as characters and story is concerned. Sure, some things can be improved, some towns and quest can be added, but I, for one, cannot complain, as this game exceeded my expectations and I can't wait for its sequel. It's not a 10, as I gave. I would probably rate it as a 9.5, but hey, some put 0s and 1s so I wanted to raise the user score.… Expand
  2. PC
    Mar 10, 2010
    10
    Gorgeous, of course -- most polished production I've seen. Fantastic soundtrack. Battle system is tactical and fun w/ plenty of Gorgeous, of course -- most polished production I've seen. Fantastic soundtrack. Battle system is tactical and fun w/ plenty of difficult fights (later in game) to challenge the player. Characters and story are engaging. It's got that "Final Fantasy" feel, for whatever that's worth. For all those complaining it's "too easy" at the beginning, I recommend going back and playing any FF game's first few hours. At least this one actually ratchets up the difficulty at some point. And for those who "don't know what's going on," I suggest reading the datalog.… Expand
  4. VengeanceUK
    Sep 21, 2010
    9
    Its a beautiful game, but it fails in the aspect that it is too linear and it still does not beat FFVII for story and variety. The battleIts a beautiful game, but it fails in the aspect that it is too linear and it still does not beat FFVII for story and variety. The battle system, while no doubt some will love it and some will hate it, i was disappointed by it. These flaws are i can only give it a 9… Expand
  5. Vexyy
    Nov 27, 2018
    7
    Yes it's good.
    But if you do not have the patience to play RPG in turn, DO NOT PLAY THAT GAME.
    He is slow, with a very realistic gameplay,    Yes it's good.
    But if you do not have the patience to play RPG in turn, DO NOT PLAY THAT GAME.
    He is slow, with a very realistic gameplay, but he has a problem, which in another point of view, can be considered ART.
    Its complexity.
    It is very complex, with paradigms, crystarium, among others.
    But it is still another game of the consecrated Final Fantasy franchise    … Expand
  6. JenJen
    Sep 21, 2011
    5
    Pros: Amazing graphics. Details are impeccable and all aspects of the game ,visually, is wonderful. The gameplay is also ridiculouslyPros: Amazing graphics. Details are impeccable and all aspects of the game ,visually, is wonderful. The gameplay is also ridiculously addicting and fun to explore.

    Cons: Terribly forced dialogue which leads to forced emotions which leads to an awful way to present an already boring story.
    Typical character line-up; angsty protagonist, comedic relief, hot-head, annoying girl, etc. The plot is linear: you cannot go between worlds or revisit worlds. Side quests are a joke.

    Over-all, I didn't care much for the game. My emotional attachment to is none existent.    … Expand
  7. JohnJ
    Mar 12, 2010
    3
    FF 13 does a great job of playing itself. The developers leave absolutely no room for the gamer to take ownership of the beautiful world they FF 13 does a great job of playing itself. The developers leave absolutely no room for the gamer to take ownership of the beautiful world they created. Graphics are the only positive. Story is average. Gameplay is absolutely terrible. As a long-time FF fan, I do not expect it to possess the open ended Fallout 3 or Mass Effect style. But the groupthink developers completely dropped the ball this time around. They must have been supremely confident in their vision of the game, because they leave no room for anyone else to jump into the fun.… Expand
  8. Bulbotrax
    Jul 18, 2019
    0
    everything in this crappy game is badly done: the script is stupid (what drives lightning and hope is dumb), the gameplay sucks (it's onlyeverything in this crappy game is badly done: the script is stupid (what drives lightning and hope is dumb), the gameplay sucks (it's only corridor with silly fight, and the battle system is a shame), the music is poor , the designs are ugly... a shame for square.… Expand

See all 466 User Reviews

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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