Final Fantasy XIII-2

 Xbox 360
Final Fantasy XIII-2 Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 50 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 273 Ratings

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  • Summary: Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a direct sequel to FFXIII, and will once again star lead protagonist Lightning.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 50
  3. Negative: 1 out of 50
  1. Gaming Nexus
    Jan 31, 2012
    100
    I had great hopes for this game, just like I had for the original title. Square Enix addressed nearly every issue from the previous title and delivered in a huge way. With a non-linear world, plenty of side quests, puzzles, and much more, Final Fantasy XIII-2 adds yet another smash hit to the RPG powerhouse.
  2. ZTGD
    Feb 7, 2012
    90
    There are enough improvements to both exploration and combat to appease the old school FF players while keeping the game play fresh. If you're a fan of Japanese RPG's, you'll love the game. Despite the story slowing down at times, the game is really impressive and a lot of fun to play.
  3. Games Master UK
    Jan 31, 2012
    86
    A great improvement from FFXII, but a poor battle system takes away challenge. [March 2012, p.79]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Jan 29, 2012
    80
    The true paradox of Final Fantasy isn't a temporal one. It's how it can conjure a feeling that's a combination of love, hate, derision and awe. XIII-2 gets less love than XIII. And the simplification dampens the open awe of previous games. But it's still the dominant feeling. And the fact I finished the game with only a quarter of the collectible fragments and very little idea of where to find them? Well, I just can't wait for the FAQs to start coming out.
  5. games(TM)
    Jan 30, 2012
    80
    It's a unique and interesting way of handling time travel in games too, and while XIII-2 might fall foul of all the usual time-hopping pitfalls (read: it's really rather stupid at times) it's hard to recall a sequel that makes such major changes to a great game and still manages to get things so right. If XIII was making a case for the quickest route from A to B being a straight line, XIII-2 instead argues that a time gate directly to your destination is both more practical and more interesting. We're inclined to agree.
  6. GameWatcher
    Feb 7, 2012
    75
    It's fair to say Final Fantasy XIII-2 is an appealing return for the much-adhered franchise. It offers some truly unique and intriguing gameplay elements that will invite newcomers whilst challenging series aficionados. This is extremely important after the failings of XIII, as it shows Square Enix are prepared to keep building on the RPG formula they shaped. Serah's adventure is an entertaining and dynamic one, signalling that Final Fantasy is moving in the right direction once again.
  7. Quarter to Three
    Feb 6, 2012
    40
    If there's no payoff - or, as is the case here, if the payoff is hidden behind such a clot of unavoidable tedium that it ultimately overwhelms how much I care about reaching that payoff - then hasn't the game failed? The balancing act for any game designer is to make me care in proportion to the challenge level you throw at me. And given how close I must be to the end, and how little I care to push on, Final Fantasy XIII-2 ultimately fails.

See all 50 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 81
  3. Negative: 14 out of 81
  1. TJ_Kragt
    Feb 20, 2012
    10
    This game exceeds it's predecessor in every way. The battle system is largely the same but it did not need much changing in the first place.This game exceeds it's predecessor in every way. The battle system is largely the same but it did not need much changing in the first place. Combat has also been brought to life through cinematic action sequences, much like reaction commands from Kingdom Hearts. Every trace of linearity is practically gone and the soundtrack is even an upgrade. The story does not quite have as much focus as Final Fantasy XIII, but it is a heart-felt tale nonetheless. Even for those who might not see the narrative as incredibly interesting, they will find the villain Caius note-worthy. The game has plenty of post story content for the player to immerse him/herself in so they can squeeze every last bit out of this game. I would recomend this game to any of my friends.… Expand
  2. gaToGas
    Jan 31, 2012
    10
    The CEO Square Enix Yoichi Wada and the CEO of Bic Camera, Hiroyuki Miyajima continued with speeches short. Wada notedThe CEO Square Enix Yoichi Wada and the CEO of Bic Camera, Hiroyuki Miyajima continued with speeches short. Wada noted that XIII -2 has been enhanced to overcome the XIII in all aspects. Miyajima said the pre-sales for the game were strong in your store, and expressed hope that they sell more copies than anywhere in Japan.… Expand
  4. gamesreflexoes
    Jan 31, 2012
    10
    So if you stopped being a FF fan, respect the thousands who currently enjoy the series, and go play and watch another game. If you think thatSo if you stopped being a FF fan, respect the thousands who currently enjoy the series, and go play and watch another game. If you think that the series has "died" why are you here commenting about it? Final Fantasy have their real fans and not needs those who once were, but today only know to criticize. You are a zero to the left! Very hard to find a true fan of the Final Fantasy series. What there are people who are/was fans of one or another episode, and all they know to do nowdays is follow the series news just to criticize and say that "it was the good on my time, now it is garbage". So pay no attention to haters, realize that each FF has something new and different to offer and has no obligation to please fans of previous episodes.… Expand
  5. Dagamingphoenix
    Jul 25, 2016
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. FFXIII-2 is a monumental improvement on it's predecessor with my only problems being 1. Replacing the formidable Lightning with her feeble younger sister Serah. 2. As if the story couldn't possibly get any worse, it does. The plot is, find Lightning. No emotional punches. Even Serah's death at the end was empty of any emotion.

    Thankfully, the rest is good. The new soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal ( With "Historia Crux" my current favourite song). The battle system is refined but it still hasn't removed autobattle.(WHY?!?)
    Graphics are still amazing but there is a distinct reduction in the amount in cinematic cutscenes.
    Also, the cinematic battle sequences are... odd, to say the least, taking you out of the action of boss fights.
    It's also more "free" than XII, with tens of 150 side quests and big enviroments to explore. It's substantially better than XII's corridors.
    So, overall, even if it lacks the gravitas of FFXII's story (which, in itself was lackluster) this great game improves virtually all it's previous blunders and is the best game in Lightning's Saga.    … Expand
  6. rotku
    May 13, 2012
    7
    I loved the concept of time travel and paradox elements, the feature of having a "monster" act as a member of your squad and being able toI loved the concept of time travel and paradox elements, the feature of having a "monster" act as a member of your squad and being able to devleop these team members at your preference was good however these good elements were off set by the Kupo character and the poor main character delevopment sphere system.
    Overall the game is sure to appeal to fans of the series and will keep them ticking over uptil the next episode.    … Expand
  7. mr_dad
    Aug 30, 2015
    6
    Did anyone actually want this?

    FF13-2 is the sequel that absolutely no one asked for. And yet, it's a sequel that almost made me forget how    Did anyone actually want this?

    FF13-2 is the sequel that absolutely no one asked for. And yet, it's a sequel that almost made me forget how pointless it's existence is....almost. While improving every aspect of the actual game has been vastly improved over XIII, the story and characters are arguably even worse. The time travel mechanic is cool, and the open areas are a thankful change from the linearity of the first game, but this also makes it a bit to easy to get completely lost and unsure how to progress. In short, for every step forward, there was an equal step back.

    THE GOOD
    + Combat/Leveling is vastly improved with the focus on efficiency father than complex tactics.
    + Caius Ballad is one of the best Final Fantasy villains. Period.

    THE MIXED
    +/- While monster collect is fun, it's also pointless. A full party would have been preferred.
    +/- While the open-ended nature is welcome, it also gets you lost and confused a lot.

    THE BAD
    - Retcons the rather satisfying ending of Final Fantasy XIII.
    - The plot is far too needlessly convoluted, and has one of the worst endings in the series.
    - Aside from Caius (and arguably Noel), the characters are as flat as they come.    … Expand
  8. Bulldozer
    Jan 31, 2012
    0
    Too many ones pushin'up this thing. This game is dull as a rusted dishwater in the center of a living-room. Characters ? Silly, charismatic asToo many ones pushin'up this thing. This game is dull as a rusted dishwater in the center of a living-room. Characters ? Silly, charismatic as a toilet. Game-play ? Chaotic. For a non English-birth-language ones ergonomy is non-existent cause you're forced to read on the bottom of the screen a lot of things that drive away focus completely from everything. Leveling up ? Just too linear. Actions ? Too fast too many times (we are not lab-monkeys) == frustrating. Shops ? That addicted neither-too-sexy thing it's a cheap choice for programmers. Level design ? Built by the machine. Atmosphere ? Zero. Sounds ? Annoying. Musics ? Someone good but out of place and no adrenaline rush. Graphics ? Last chapter was better. The story ? What story ? That mess that someone call a "story" ? Who cares ? ...I'm a bigbetterhuge FF fan, I've always been... but this time is just too much, enough is enough, please FF staff, just go to do HARAKIRI, not FF XIII-3, shame on you, regain "love for the game" instead "love for the money" and money will come again but this time I only wish you to default.… Expand

See all 81 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2012
27
#27 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2012
79
#79 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2012