Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (2013)

You know, if you asked me to compare Lightning and Cloud in each of their original games, I'd say that they are pretty distinct characters that have similar military backgrounds. A lot of people think of them as being similar or at least wanted them to be. I think I'd disagree with that, but...

If you asked me to compare Lightning from Lightning Returns and Cloud from Final Fantasy VII Remake I feel like I'd have a much harder time making an argument for how different they are. Having just played Remake and Rebirth earlier this year it's very odd how similar the "newest" iterations of these characters feel. Especially with both games featuring a subplot where the characters are forced to wear dresses they'd otherwise not be caught dead in.

It's almost like they sorta condensed their personalities down to what they are most well known for by the games' audience. Flanderized might be the word?

I still think Lightning is a compelling character, even in this game, but she feels muted, for lack of a better word. I suspect there's a lore reason at play here, just as there is with Cloud, but these thoughts pop into my head all the same.

Beat on Normal on loan from my coworker right after 13 2. I absolutely hated the time limit and found myself playing in a mad rush. I did everything possible to scum time, even as far as scouting to see what was there and then loading a save just before if there was nothing worthwhile. I ended up more or less completing everything though and I think I ended up having to sleep entire days away to progress. On the last day I tried to do both optional superbosses but only had enough time for 1. So I reloaded a save to kill the roaming boss and went back to the original save at the end of the optional dungeon to beat the game. Maybe I could have managed both if I did the roamer first and then the optional dungeon but whatever. I did not go out of my was to exterminate monsters as it did not seem worthwhile. I did use a walkthrough to find out how to beat the superbosses but not sure how much I used it for other things. I know I did not follow an optimal playthrough and used it more for the optional stuff. I have no interest in playing this again to try out new game+. Once is enough!

The game gave me her outfit from FF13 for having a completed save file, and that was a lot better than most of the ones available for sale in game. My favorite outfit was her default valkyrie one, but sadly that had to be retired because it has poor stats. I used a ball gown black magic outfit and used that for her on-screen clothing after I stopped wearing the valkyrie. I don't remember anything else about what outfits, other gear and abilities I used. The combat system was actually pretty good though I did not like timing perfect attacks and guards, and felt the camera was not conductive for precise timing. Would have been nice to have medic and synergist abilities. Odd how only those 2 paradigms are suddenly not available. I did like the setting of people adapting to existence without time but felt the game did not do nearly enough to explore this theme, instead focusing on another mess of a story. It is not a bad game but is a ridiculous and disappointing jumble of good and poor aspects.

6.5/10

Tried to start this tonight with no luck. It crashes after the first fight. Disc is practically new and I also tried with a backup copy (I have a modded Xbox 360). Didn't worked. Tried to install it and that failed too. Played other games witho no issues.

I'm sad. I was looking forward to the end of the Lightning Trilogy and now I don't know why I can't play. I thought it was the laser, but other games work ok. Also failed when trying different storages for the save data.

:(

Ok, so it's time to finish this game. I've put it on the back-burner for several months, and I'm finally ready to get back to it. I absolutely despise the time-mechanics. I realize I could just play it repeatedly, as it was intended to be played, but ain't nobody got time for that. How could they drop the ball so hard?

The story is utter trash as well. All of these little side-quests moments that are supposed to be touching and meaningful so miss the mark by a mile. I don't think I would ever recommend the Final Fantasy 13 series to anyone, knowing that this is waiting for them at the end. After the great XIII-2, it's really puzzling just what they were thinking with Lightning Returns and its time mechanics, lack of exp gain via anything but side quests, and insanely ridiculous story. Alas, time to finish this soon and get back to stomping my backlog!