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Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, the third installment in the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy, concludes Lightning’s saga. While continuing the storyline of its predecessors, Lightning Returns introduces significant changes to gameplay and combat, offering a fresh experience for players. This review explores the innovative gameplay, expansive world, and intriguing side quests, while also addressing some lingering issues.

A New Direction for Final Fantasy XIII

Lightning Returns departs significantly from the linear gameplay of its predecessors. Instead of controlling a party, players solely guide Lightning through a vast, open world divided into four distinct regions. These range from bustling coastal cities to expansive wilderness areas, each teeming with unique stories and secrets. This open-world structure gives players a sense of freedom and exploration previously absent in the series.

Lightning exploring the world

The shift from turn-based combat to an action-oriented system is another notable change. Lightning’s actions, including attacks, abilities, and defense, are directly controlled by the player, creating a more dynamic and engaging combat experience. Each action consumes ATB (Active Time Battle), with more powerful abilities requiring greater ATB expenditure. Exploiting enemy weaknesses and perfectly timed blocks can trigger “Stagger” status, allowing for swift takedowns.

Lightning in combat

The new combat system has a learning curve, but mastering the timing of attacks and defenses makes battles both challenging and rewarding. Lightning’s attire plays a key role, with each outfit corresponding to a Schema and possessing its own ATB gauge. Players can equip up to three outfits, switching between Schemata mid-battle to maximize ATB usage and exploit each outfit’s strengths. The addition of EP (Energy Points) adds another layer of strategy. EP can be used for teleportation, health restoration, and even slowing down time during combat.

A World Rich with Side Quests

Beyond the main storyline, Lightning Returns boasts hundreds of side quests scattered across its various regions. These quests vary in difficulty, offering substantial rewards for those willing to invest the time. More than simple fetch quests, they often delve into compelling narratives exploring the human condition and the consequences of immortality, a central theme of the game.

Lightning interacting with NPCs

The game’s limited 13-day time limit adds a sense of urgency, requiring players to manage their time effectively. While this mechanic adds a unique element, it can also feel restrictive, potentially preventing players from fully exploring the world and completing all side quests in a single playthrough. Utilizing Lightning’s time-slowing ability is crucial for maximizing efficiency and tackling as many side quests as possible.

Presentation: A Solid Showing

Lightning Returns features polished visuals and fluid character animations. Cutscenes maintain the series’ high standards, delivering impressive cinematic moments. While graphically not a significant leap from its predecessors, the game’s aesthetic remains visually appealing.

A view of the game world

The sound design effectively captures the impact of Lightning’s actions and enemy encounters. The soundtrack, with its distinct Western influences, complements the game’s world of Nova Chrysalia. Each region boasts unique background music, which dynamically changes based on the in-game time of day.

Lingering Issues

Despite its innovative gameplay, Lightning Returns still suffers from some shortcomings. The 13-day time limit, while adding a unique dynamic, can feel overly restrictive. Some of Lightning’s outfit designs clash with her character and may appear jarring to some players. The rewards for defeating enemies feel underwhelming compared to the substantial rewards offered for completing side quests, potentially discouraging players from engaging in random encounters.

Lightning in a different outfit

Conclusion

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII provides a compelling conclusion to Lightning’s story. The innovative gameplay, expansive world, and intriguing side quests offer a refreshing experience. However, the restrictive time limit and some design choices hold the game back from reaching its full potential.