Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII – but did anyone want her back?

The Final Fantasy XIII story gets its closure, and a brand new combat system, but is the return of Lightning really something to get excited about?

Normally when a long-running franchise begins to run out of steam there are plenty of reasonable ideas floating around for how to fix it. Publishers don’t always listen, and fans and journalists aren’t always right, but usually there are at least a couple of reasonable options. But we haven’t got a clue what to do about about Final Fantasy. All we do know is that Square Enix don’t seem to have much of an idea either, especially if Lightning Returns is supposed to be a sign of things to come.



Actually, it’s hard to know what exactly Lightning Returns is. Technically it’s a sequel to Final Fantasy XIII and XIII-2, but although the story is a direct continuation the tone and gameplay is very different. But it seems unlikely that either element with have any significant influence on Final Fantasy XV – the next numbered sequel that isn’t a massively multiplayer online game – since work began on it long before Lightning Returns was ever conceived.

Perhaps the best way to think of Lighting Returns is as a capstone to both the Final Fantasy XIII sub-series and the PlayStation 3 generation of games. There’s certainly something of a celebratory air to the game, with a large number of cameos and in-jokes, but it’s a very self-satisfied kind of reminiscence – and one that does not feel at all earned given the mixed reception for the last two games.


One of the most universally agreed problems with Final Fantasy XIII is the impenetrable plot and unlikeable characters, with Square Enix’s continued attempts to push heroine Lightning as a fan favourite seemingly dictated by marketeers rather than any genuine grass roots support. She’s still the same old emotionless ice queen in this game, but that’s contrasted with a story that is much lighter in tone and often down right silly.

Contrasting Lightning’s super serious attitude with Final Fantasy’s wackier side is clearly meant to be a central appeal, but watching her interact with moogles and cracking ‘jokes’ with the rest of the cast is painful to watch. It feels like some awful kids TV show where a serious actor has been dragged on to promote their latest film and has to half-heartedly pal along with the histrionic presenters.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII – moogles and grouchy heroines don’t mix

It doesn’t help that the story still doesn’t make a lick of sense, whether you’ve played the previous games or not. It’s all some tosh about Lightning having to save souls before the end of the world, and yet it can all be summed up simply as: it’s a video game, fight some monsters.

The actual plot has rarely been a highlight of any Final Fantasy game though, and it’s more the characters and themes that have left the lasting impressions. And yet this has always been Final Fantasy XIII’s biggest failing, in that there’s not a single character in any of the games we came anywhere close to actually caring about. None of them feel like real people, not least because they all rely on bog standard anime tropes and some wretched dialogue and voice-acting.



In terms of gameplay Lightning Returns attempts to be much more action-based than previous titles, with clear attempts to mimic aspects of Western action adventures like Assassin’s Creed and Tomb Raider. But exploring the open world environments still feels like you’re moving around an inanimate doll’s house, rather than a fully interactive landscape. As you clamber and jump around the world it’s clear that nobody involved with the game has ever made a straight action game before, as you struggle with the fussy, imprecise movement controls.

The attempts to overhaul the battle system are more effective though, with Lightning able to move around and attack manually, but still with elements of the original turn-based combat retained. Although you only get to control the one character, instead of the usual team of heroes, magically changing Lightning’s outfit in battle gives access to a completely different range of abilities. This essentially turns her into multiple characters in one, and makes the customisation tools one of the game’s true highlights.

(Although once again we have to wonder at the low level sexism that still seems to permeate so many video games, as this is yet another female character whose primary gimmick revolves around an obsession with clothing and apperance. It’s not even just a Japanese thing, as the last game we played with the same idea was the recent Assassin’s Creed: Liberation HD.)

In any case the combat works fine as you switch between three different sets of clothes at a time, each one representing a fairly standard Final Fantasy ‘job’. Each outfit has its own meter which quickly depletes, with the idea being you switch to another while you wait for the previous one to refill. Guarding and block is key, as is ‘staggering’ your opponent by hitting them with a style of attack they’re particularly vulnerable to.


There is some depth to the system, but while it avoids the primary pitfall – of falling between the twin stools of action and turn-based strategy – it’s really only the boss battles that offer up any kind of satisfying challenge. There are no random battles as such but it’s often hard to avoid minor enemies, leading to a lot of meaningless battles you’re never in any danger of losing. And they really are all but meaningless, as you don’t earn experience points in a fight, only by completing quests.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (PS3) – costume queen

Another unusual feature is that the game’s story runs on a strict time limit, which gives you only two weeks to save the world. This time can be extended (you actually start on day six) but the situation isn’t used to any real benefit and often feels more frustrating than exhilarating. Any comparisons you might have assumed with Zelda: Majora’s Mask are certainly misplaced, as there’s nothing like the freedom or imagination of that game.

Soon enough you begin to realise that Lighting Returns is almost nothing but side quests. There is a central thread of story missions but they’re usually not much longer, or more interesting, than any more minor quest. Repetition quickly sets in and you’ll soon recognise they’re just a series of dressed-up fetch quests and monster-hunting tasks. And not only does the time limit add nothing of significance but on the default difficulty you’re likely to have completed all the main quests before more than half your time is up.


An additional, and unexpected, problem is the quality of the graphics, which are easily the worst in the trilogy – despite reusing an awful lot of assets. Most of the newer stuff is noticeably lower quality in terms of geometry and textures, and the frame rate now stutters and wheezes at even the smallest exertion. Rather than the lavish production values that Final Fantasy XIII started out with this feels more like a cheap knock-off. Which is essentially exactly what it is.

Compounded by the nonsensical script and one-dimensional characters it’s as if the game is specifically designed to feel as shallow and disconnected as possible. Lightning Returns might be an enjoyable enough folly for fans, but there’s very little here for anyone else. And it certainly offers no compelling glimpse of the franchise’s future, just a long list of things it should avoid doing again.

In Short: The best that can be said about Lighting Returns is that at least Final Fantasy XIII is over now, but at a negative cost to the franchise’s reputation and fan’s enjoyment.

Pros: The new battle system is a partial success and the customisation options are excellent, if slightly sexist. Typically excellent art design and soundtrack.

Cons: Terrible storytelling at every level. Most battles lack tension and the quests are repetitive and unimaginative. Time limit adds nothing and graphics are a noticeable downgrade.

Score: 5/10

Formats: PlayStation 3 (reviewed) and Xbox 360

Price: £49.99

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: Square Enix and tri-Ace

Release Date: 14th February 2014

Age Rating: 16

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