So THIS game is actually good then?

[Xialoh]

I bought FFXIII years ago, but never played it. I only just noticed that this last installment is well reviewed on Steam at least. I was debating trying to play all 3, but I've heard mostly bad things about the first two.

Is this game actually very good? Plotwise? Because that's my main concern when it comes to Final Fantasy, right after praying for less random encounters.

[KarmaTheAlligator]

Considering you already own XIII, why not give it a try? And if you don't want random encounters, XIII has you covered, all the enemies are on the map, and you can try to avoid them if you want.

Most of the bad reviews on Steam for the other two games comes from porting issues, not the games themselves, so take those with a grain of salt.

Plot-wise, LR is the sequel to XIII-2, which itself is the sequel to XIII, so unless you know what's going on in the other two games, you'll probably be lost. The biggest problem with the XIII series is that most of the plot and backstory comes from the datalog, so there's a lot of reading involved if you want to know what's going on (especially in XIII).

Can't tell you whether they're good or not, just that personally, I love the whole series. Also keep in mind LR's combat is closer to an action game than a FF game, being real time and all.

[TheFailedSmiley]

personally i enjoyed 13 it was pretty good it was hard but it wasnt at he same time i enjoyed the story 13/2 imo was just so poor lr was good though very challenging and with a good plot n good cut scenes

[ƒaylen §øl]

I didn't beat XIII (got to chapter 10) and never gave XIII-2 much of a chance.

Lightning Returns I have beaten twice and am working on a third playthrough (first time on PC). Stellar game in comparison to the first two. Especially for it's price right now (I've now bought it twice. Once on 360 at full retail the day it came out and now on Steam).

[Rybeuszek]

Overpowered DLC Outfits from the Beginning, every smaller Enemy is ONESHOT. Hate this when Publishers make Money with this Type of DLC. I give it Back.

[Ceriss]

LR has far superior gameplay imo.

Story and characters are still flat and nonsensical but the combat is actually fun this time and there's more to do then just walk->cutscene->fight->fight boss->repeat.

[markdb92]

and you can make lighting go on a date haha

[Falcon]

It doesn't reach previous FF's levels in any way, but it's still a very enjoyable game on its own, you should try it. But if you're only looking for a good plot then...couldn't recommend this. In my opinion XIII is the stronger game plot wise (in the trilogy), but LR has better gameplay.

[eriol33]

lightning returns is probably the best entry of the FF 13 trilogy. the pc port is also very good. I have had a lot of fun playing it. the story is still unnecessarily complicated and resembles a lot like one of Clamp's manga, especially card captor sakura. however, the story writing will keep you interesting and wondering what will happen. the subquests make you feel you do something meaningful. the best part is that you can dress lightning of course. sometime I deliberately use funny costume in a serious scene just to ruin the mood

[Rikku]

I also enjoyed the story but, you should play XIII and XIII-2 before you play this

[quixoticaxis]

Originally posted by Xialoh:

I bought FFXIII years ago, but never played it. I only just noticed that this last installment is well reviewed on Steam at least. I was debating trying to play all 3, but I've heard mostly bad things about the first two.

Is this game actually very good? Plotwise? Because that's my main concern when it comes to Final Fantasy, right after praying for less random encounters.

If you loved FF series for the balanced well written plot, then no. While most of FF titles had a rational story, XIII trilogy is totally insane. It gives a feel like screenwriters just added everything they got to a single product:
crystals, l'cie, then time travel, chaos, some wicked realities, more characters, and more, and now all the things that were not previously added, and it is sooo interesting...(

[Tiasmoon]

Originally posted by quixoticaxis:

Originally posted by Xialoh:

I bought FFXIII years ago, but never played it. I only just noticed that this last installment is well reviewed on Steam at least. I was debating trying to play all 3, but I've heard mostly bad things about the first two.

Is this game actually very good? Plotwise? Because that's my main concern when it comes to Final Fantasy, right after praying for less random encounters.

If you loved FF series for the balanced well written plot, then no. While most of FF titles had a rational story, XIII trilogy is totally insane. It gives a feel like screenwriters just added everything they got to a single product:
crystals, l'cie, then time travel, chaos, some wicked realities, more characters, and more, and now all the things that were not previously added, and it is sooo interesting...(

*rollseyes* I've heard the same about any other FF game past FF[insert random number here]

The FFXIII story is similar in quality to that of previous entries. Which is to say its quite enjoyable, but not breathtaking amazing. But then, exceptionally few games are, being a good game is well..quite good already.

[quixoticaxis]

Originally posted by Tiasmoon:

The FFXIII story is similar in quality to that of previous entries.

I do agree with you on this one.

Can't say the same about FFXIII-2 or LR.
I was speaking about the trilogy. If SE made a single game (story from XIII, mechanics from XIII-2 and style from LR) it could be a decent game. These three games we got are not to my liking, mostly because of their insane plot.

[quixoticaxis]

Originally posted by Tiasmoon:

Originally posted by quixoticaxis:

If you loved FF series for the balanced well written plot, then no. While most of FF titles had a rational story, XIII trilogy is totally insane. It gives a feel like screenwriters just added everything they got to a single product:
crystals, l'cie, then time travel, chaos, some wicked realities, more characters, and more, and now all the things that were not previously added, and it is sooo interesting...(

*rollseyes* I've heard the same about any other FF game past FF[insert random number here]

The FFXIII story is similar in quality to that of previous entries. Which is to say its quite enjoyable, but not breathtaking amazing. But then, exceptionally few games are, being a good game is well..quite good already.

To me it looked like the game is trying to be something what it was not meant to be. FF is often a simple and heartwarming tale (or not so heartwarming), and FF XIII managed to be it. The gameplay and technical problems aside.

But then there came XIII-2 and LR that made an attempt to bring us some complex and heavy plot which is bad for FF imho. Also they failed in it imho x2.

[Tiasmoon]

Originally posted by quixoticaxis:

But then there came XIII-2 and LR that made an attempt to bring us some complex and heavy plot which is bad for FF imho. Also they failed in it imho x2.

FF games have always been lighthearted and simple on the surface, but more complex and heavy once you get further into the story.

A good example would be FFX with Sin and the Summoners. Turns out it wasnt quite as simple as ''defeat the big evil, make everyone happy''
I dont think FFXIII- and LR are that different from them, except the story is brought to the foreground sooner. FFXIII shares that with them.
With the other FF games your halfway through the game if not further, before you realise the true scope of the story.

Originally posted by quixoticaxis:

The gameplay and technical problems aside.

Which ones tho? By all accounts both games had great gameplay and lacked technical problems. Altho I've only played XIII-2 on console so I dont know about the pc version.

[quixoticaxis]

Originally posted by Tiasmoon:

Which ones tho? By all accounts both games had great gameplay and lacked technical problems. Altho I've only played XIII-2 on console so I dont know about the pc version.

Console versions are ok, PC version have had and still have a bunch of problems. We're in Steam forums: lots of threads about them in here.
Maybe I'm crazy but I do prefer to have normal PC game menus and "exit/quit" option in them. Also I love 4k or at least full HD and upgraded textures. And soft shadows. And nice anti-aliasing. I totally understand that it is not possible for FF 'cause it costs a lot and the game's primary target is console. But still...

I wasn't speaking about a twist, I was speaking about inconsistency. Speaking of idea or plot, XIII has almost no connections to XIII-2 or LR. It looks just like a cheap movie that was going to have a single part but instead got three to make more profits. The setting has changed, the idea has changed.