The Final Fantasy series has always been known for its storyline, and the Lightning trilogy presented fans with one of the best ever told for the franchise. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII continues that storyline when Lightning awakens 500 years in the future and is recruited by the god Bhunivelze to transfer all remaining survivors from a world sinking into a sea of chaos into a new world. Chaos was released following the end of Final Fantasy XIII-2 and has turned the world into a sinking mess. The world is on the brink of full destruction and there is no longer life in the world, meaning there is no births or normal deaths. There are enough plot twists and surprises in the campaign to always keep players pushing forward towards the next mission, so the game's constant passing of time isn't even necessary to keep players wanting to complete another mission towards the game's main campaign.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII ditches the linearity of previous releases. The world of Nova Chrysalia opens up for players to explore early on. Instead of making each area having tougher enemies while the storyline progresses, enemies gain strength with the passing of time in the game. This allows missions in the different areas to be explored in the order of the player's choosing. One problem with the new world though is there are only five different locations. The ark is where players can change the passing of time, restock on items or gain new missions from NPCs. The other four locations, Yusnaan, The Dead Dunes, The Wildlands and Luxerion, offer unique environments and monsters that can only be encountered in these specific locations. The four locations are far fewer than what is seen in most other RPGs, but luckily, the game isn't long enough for the few areas to grow stale too quickly.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII features a revamped battle system that sees the return of several mechanics seen in other releases in the series alongside some major changes. The most prominent change is how Lightning transforms for different fighting styles. With the use of different garbs acquired throughout the game, Lightning can change her abilities, strengths and weaknesses. The ATB gauge returns, but garbs can only use so many charged gauges before they lose all their power and must be changed out for new clothes. The garbs recharge when not in use, but it forces players to constantly change how they fight in any battle. Garbs and Schemata loudouts can be customized with different colors, weapons, shields and attack commands for an endless amount of options for Lightning in combat. The unique mechanic replaces the Paradigm shift and offers completely new gameplay for the series that is no doubt strange but is a welcome change that makes battling many of the same enemies a blast.
Other ideas return for the release including the ability to see enemies in the field and initiate combat with a pre-emptive strike. Battles flow differently and ditches the auto-battle mechanic. Players will need to input the attacks for Lightning to perform, though players will now only control a single character throughout the game. When fighting tough enemies, players will want to chain together physical and magic attacks that are timed just right in order to build the stagger meter that allows for additional damage to be dealt to enemies while they remain defenseless. Combat has changed some though and gives players even more control over Lightning to let her move through the battlefield, evade enemy attacks or use a shield to guard against incoming attacks. One other difference included in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII forces players to use items to regain health on the Normal difficulty rather than being healed for completing battles when playing as in previous releases. If the game is being played on the Easy difficulty though, health can be regained for standing still outside of battle. Hard difficulty is also unlocked after completing the game once, and New Game+ mode is also unlocked for players to restart the game's campaign while retaining the same equipment to help 100% the game.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII has some other special content for players to enjoy including social features. Players can share their current progress, battle records and other neat statistics online with Facebook and Twitter to compare with friends. Entities with blue names will be found when playing online that are actually other players that choose to share message with other players, much in the same way players can share messages in games such as Dark Souls or Nintendo Land. Players can also capture screenshots during the game to share online as well. The game has additional DLC either coming to the game or already available that includes a costume inspired by Square Enix's other hit franchise, Tomb Raider, Final Fantasy VII inspired Cloud Strife DLC for certain preorders and Final Fantasy VII's Aerith Gainsborough outfit DLC that comes only with the Collector's Edition version of the game. One other neat addition to the game will bring a free update to the game some time after launch that allows the Japanese version of the game to be played with Japanese voice acting and lip synch.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII looks great and is easily the best looking release in the series. The outfits Lightning wears in the game doesn't always suit her looks, but character models and animations in the game are top notch and includes some realistic facial animations. Though there are limited areas to explore in the game, each area definitely feels distinct whether exploring the desert ruins in The Dead Dunes or the creepy city streets of Luxerion at nighttime with the all new day/night cycle. A full cast of returning characters from other releases in the series means the same great voice actors will entertain players while journeying through the new world. Despite offering many changes to combat in the game, the new control scheme is surprisingly easy to master as well.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII completes the Lightning trilogy with one of the most exciting releases in the set. Players get to explore a new world with the most interesting character from the trilogy, and though the campaign is short lived, it's plenty of fun. The game's storyline wraps up the narrative for Lightning and the gang and gives a proper ending for the series. Most of the new features the game introduces are for the best and offer innovative new gameplay ideas that provides hours of enjoyment for fans of the RPG franchise. Live the last days of the world in Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII before it's too late!
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is now available from all major retailers for the MSRP of $59.99 and can be purchased for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is rated T by the ESRB for Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol & Violence. For more information on the game, check out the official Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII website.
Game Features:
- Single Player
- Change and Customize Schematas to Gain New Abilities in Combat
- Social Media Support for Facebook and Twitter
- DLC Support
- Trophy/Achievement Support
Game Information:
Developer & Publisher: Square Enix
Platforms: PlayStation 3 & Xbox 360 (reviewed)
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Score: 9 out of 10