Final Fantasy XIII-2

 Xbox 360
Final Fantasy XIII-2 Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 50 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 310 Ratings

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  • Summary: Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a direct sequel to FFXIII, and will once again star lead protagonist Lightning.
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Final Fantasy XIII-2 - Despair Official Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 50
  3. Negative: 1 out of 50
  1. Gaming Nexus
    Jan 31, 2012
    100
    I had great hopes for this game, just like I had for the original title. Square Enix addressed nearly every issue from the previous title and delivered in a huge way. With a non-linear world, plenty of side quests, puzzles, and much more, Final Fantasy XIII-2 adds yet another smash hit to the RPG powerhouse.
  2. ZTGD
    Feb 7, 2012
    90
    There are enough improvements to both exploration and combat to appease the old school FF players while keeping the game play fresh. If you're a fan of Japanese RPG's, you'll love the game. Despite the story slowing down at times, the game is really impressive and a lot of fun to play.
  3. Games Master UK
    Jan 31, 2012
    86
    A great improvement from FFXII, but a poor battle system takes away challenge. [March 2012, p.79]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Jan 29, 2012
    80
    The true paradox of Final Fantasy isn't a temporal one. It's how it can conjure a feeling that's a combination of love, hate, derision and awe. XIII-2 gets less love than XIII. And the simplification dampens the open awe of previous games. But it's still the dominant feeling. And the fact I finished the game with only a quarter of the collectible fragments and very little idea of where to find them? Well, I just can't wait for the FAQs to start coming out.
  5. games(TM)
    Jan 30, 2012
    80
    It's a unique and interesting way of handling time travel in games too, and while XIII-2 might fall foul of all the usual time-hopping pitfalls (read: it's really rather stupid at times) it's hard to recall a sequel that makes such major changes to a great game and still manages to get things so right. If XIII was making a case for the quickest route from A to B being a straight line, XIII-2 instead argues that a time gate directly to your destination is both more practical and more interesting. We're inclined to agree.
  6. GameWatcher
    Feb 7, 2012
    75
    It's fair to say Final Fantasy XIII-2 is an appealing return for the much-adhered franchise. It offers some truly unique and intriguing gameplay elements that will invite newcomers whilst challenging series aficionados. This is extremely important after the failings of XIII, as it shows Square Enix are prepared to keep building on the RPG formula they shaped. Serah's adventure is an entertaining and dynamic one, signalling that Final Fantasy is moving in the right direction once again.
  7. Quarter to Three
    Feb 6, 2012
    40
    If there's no payoff - or, as is the case here, if the payoff is hidden behind such a clot of unavoidable tedium that it ultimately overwhelms how much I care about reaching that payoff - then hasn't the game failed? The balancing act for any game designer is to make me care in proportion to the challenge level you throw at me. And given how close I must be to the end, and how little I care to push on, Final Fantasy XIII-2 ultimately fails.

See all 50 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 91
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 91
  3. Negative: 16 out of 91
  1. Gold458
    Jul 31, 2014
    10
    I really enjoyed Final Fantasy XIII-2. I loved the story, the battle system, and I love the world. I liked Serah as a protagonist and II really enjoyed Final Fantasy XIII-2. I loved the story, the battle system, and I love the world. I liked Serah as a protagonist and I enjoyed how she developed later on throughout the game. I recommend this to all. It is a fun and enjoyable game.… Expand
  2. JerryLouis
    Jan 31, 2012
    10
    Final Fantasy fans have their real needs and not those that have been, but today only know how to criticize. You are a leading zero to SquareFinal Fantasy fans have their real needs and not those that have been, but today only know how to criticize. You are a leading zero to Square Enix! Sorry, but this is the truth. Recalling that the Square already registered the name Final Fantasy XIII-3.… Expand
  4. gamesreflexoes
    Jan 31, 2012
    10
    So if you stopped being a FF fan, respect the thousands who currently enjoy the series, and go play and watch another game. If you think thatSo if you stopped being a FF fan, respect the thousands who currently enjoy the series, and go play and watch another game. If you think that the series has "died" why are you here commenting about it? Final Fantasy have their real fans and not needs those who once were, but today only know to criticize. You are a zero to the left! Very hard to find a true fan of the Final Fantasy series. What there are people who are/was fans of one or another episode, and all they know to do nowdays is follow the series news just to criticize and say that "it was the good on my time, now it is garbage". So pay no attention to haters, realize that each FF has something new and different to offer and has no obligation to please fans of previous episodes.… Expand
  5. jelikey
    Apr 18, 2020
    8
    For a sequel, this is about as big, epic, and robust as it can get. Taking locales and ideas they most likely already finished for the firstFor a sequel, this is about as big, epic, and robust as it can get. Taking locales and ideas they most likely already finished for the first game and instead using them as a second-game and basis, a lot of this game feels the same. However, as soon as you're ripping through the time-line and jumping to different dates and locales in the future--and past--that's soon easily forgiven and you find yourself having an absolute blast on this journey through time. The paradigm battle system is perfected and you can hunt down monsters and beasts to be your partners as you piece together the different futures and timelines you create. Without the previous story, it loses a bit of it's soul, but this still stands a bright point Square Enix has finally turned too--and should continue to do so in the future. Well done.… Expand
  6. OmegaZero
    Dec 10, 2012
    7
    As a fan of JRPG, I have to say, this is certainly an improvement from FF-XIII. The ending is what really let me down. And despite itsAs a fan of JRPG, I have to say, this is certainly an improvement from FF-XIII. The ending is what really let me down. And despite its improvement, I only rented it, and spent it on other well-deserved games like Darksiders 2. Sorry, Lightning, but Death is FAR better than you in terms of character charisma. Plus, the RPG elements in DS 2 is better than XIII-2. An improvement, yes, but DS 2 proved to be a BETTER improvement.… Expand
  7. CloudStrife05
    Aug 16, 2021
    6
    Like its predecessor, XIII-2 is just ok.
    The Good: Hope is not annoying at all here and the introduction on Noel as a character was good.    Like its predecessor, XIII-2 is just ok.
    The Good: Hope is not annoying at all here and the introduction on Noel as a character was good.
    The Bad: For me the main one is, you do not get to play as Lightning which sucked. The fact that she is on the cover of the game made this even worse as it seems Square new the only way to draw anyone in was to have people think she was the main antagonist which she is not. That honor goes to her sister Serah, who is an ok character but not the bada$$ Lightning is.    … Expand
  8. Yased
    Jan 15, 2023
    0
    Worst "sequel" ever made for a mainline game of the franchise.
    If you think of how many recyclable elements they have used to even think to    Worst "sequel" ever made for a mainline game of the franchise.
    If you think of how many recyclable elements they have used to even think to produce this sh*t, you can see that this xiii-2 is just a 90% copy and pasted xiii.
    So, the monsters design is still trash, the ost is still forgettable, and with the gameplay they have done another pitiful copy and paste failure, and the plot is even worse.    … Expand

See all 91 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2012
27
#27 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2012
79
#79 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2012