Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

 Xbox 360
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Image
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 268 Ratings

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  • Summary: A direct sequel to the unhelpfully titled Final Fantasy XIII-2, Lightning Returns is another action-RPG, this time with a retooled gameplay system and a story that picks up a mere 500 years later, concluding the FFXIII saga.
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Lightning Returns: FFXIII - TGS 2013 Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. MondoXbox
    Feb 23, 2014
    85
    Never boring and full of brilliant open environments, Lightning Returns tells a great story coupled with a new and very effective combat system. Square Enix could have done something more on the technical side, but the great artistic design manages to make us turn a blind eye on some of the problems.
  2. Eurogamer
    Feb 11, 2014
    80
    From its dazzling battle system to its overarching temporal puzzle, this is the best of the set - even if it's dragged down by an exhaustingly impenetrable plot that its creators will no doubt be pleased to be done with.
  3. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Feb 11, 2014
    80
    While those that disliked XIII and its sequel might not find anything here to convert them – or at least not allow themselves to be converted by a strong action-RPG due to its cast or past – fans will find an entertaining and surprisingly innovative full stop to this chapter of the Final Fantasy franchise.
  4. Official Xbox Magazine
    Jan 31, 2014
    70
    Thanks to its engaging combat and spectacle, Lightning Returns manages to distract somewhat from its overarching design issues. As a game, it's notably flawed but has its moments. [March 2014, p.76]
  5. God is a Geek
    Feb 11, 2014
    70
    On the one hand it’s very well-made and it shows: the visuals are great and the familiar hallmarks are all present and correct. But on the other hand, there’s something undeniably missing from the formula, an element of fun that remains absent despite the unique battle system and the returning cast.
  6. 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.
  7. GameSpot
    Feb 11, 2014
    50
    It's a collection of ideas and concepts that don't come together in a coherent way, led by a character who has shown no identifiable growth since her first appearance four years ago.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 53
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 53
  3. Negative: 16 out of 53
  1. Gold458
    Jul 31, 2014
    10
    I really enjoyed Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII. The story was simple at least for me to follow and the battle system was a lot of fun.I really enjoyed Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII. The story was simple at least for me to follow and the battle system was a lot of fun. Looking at all the different schema I could use was cool and the customization was great too. Overall I really loved this game and I can not recommend it enough.… Expand
  2. SebastianJones
    Jun 19, 2014
    10
    +Amazing Battle System
    +Beautiful Soundtrack
    +Interesting Story +Fun Exploration -Graphics are a little unpolished at times -Couple of    +Amazing Battle System
    +Beautiful Soundtrack
    +Interesting Story
    +Fun Exploration

    -Graphics are a little unpolished at times
    -Couple of Framerate Dips    … Expand
  4. pheagolol
    Feb 12, 2014
    10
    Lightning Returns improves upon everything its predecessors brought to the table tenfold. Having the same feel as the previous two games butLightning Returns improves upon everything its predecessors brought to the table tenfold. Having the same feel as the previous two games but improving upon the battle system, exploration, and customization are only some of many multitudes of improvements found in Lightning Returns. Another big feature is the timed mechanic not unlike those found in Deadrising and Majora's Mask, which makes the game more hectic and fast paced. All in all it is a terrific game that get's an incredibly high recommendation.… Expand
  5. iMustang
    Mar 24, 2019
    8
    When Final Fantasy XIII-2 came out, it made significant improvements over the first game in every possible way. Lightning Returns mostWhen Final Fantasy XIII-2 came out, it made significant improvements over the first game in every possible way. Lightning Returns most definitely continued that and made the best game yet of the trilogy. While being the most difficult and requiring the most intricate of the three, that lead to the greatest level of strategy and best execution of gameplay. And for those like me who love the story of the three games, it brought everything to a fantastic conclusion that made everything worthwhile.… Expand
  6. x_interupt
    Feb 17, 2014
    6
    i love FF games, i've played so many, and beaten so many, unlike most, my favorite is still FF8. this game has so much promise and so muchi love FF games, i've played so many, and beaten so many, unlike most, my favorite is still FF8. this game has so much promise and so much possibilities, but there is an attempt at a forced connection with people in this game, but i don't want these connections. the only reason for my 6 is the visuals and the style, the gameplay is a 0, the plot is a 0, but they forgot what made FF games so great, the story and the characters, and the gameplay.
    i'm not buying another FF game until they can at least hire a writer that knows how to create a compelling story.    … Expand
  7. 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'sthe 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… Expand
  8. 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 ReturnsIf 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

See all 53 User Reviews

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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