That's it, we are there. Issuance for some, simple epilogue for others, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII finally arrives and comes at the same time put an end to the much-maligned saga Final Fantasy XIII. For the first time in the series, the main episode has two direct suites, and the least we can say is that the differences are major between the first and third opus. For the best or for the worst? Let's see that right away ...
First of all ... I must confess that judging an episode of the big series of Square Enix is not the most obvious of the exercises. Each title is different from its predecessor and the Japanese studio does not hesitate to upset the codes to innovate. With such an approach, it is quite normal to see the public divide into several categories, with satisfied players on one side, who see each title as an excellent game, and on the other disappointed, who prefer everything. just forget some episodes that do not deserve the title of " Final Fantasy""In the middle, we sometimes find players, like me, who take each new episode as it comes, apart from the name of the game and being absorbed by a new universe, a new gameplay ...
It seems important to me to specify my tastes concerning this mythical series of RPG "in the Japanese" since it is obvious that some players will not agree with this test at all, and that it is essential to know the profile of the person giving his opinion.
So it's no fear that I say: I liked Final Fantasy XIII, and I even liked it more than its Final Fantasy XIII-2 suite. Regarding the other games, Final Fantasy X is for me the best episode of the series, and I enjoyed FFVI, FFVII, and FFIX. Regarding Final Fantasy VIII and FFXII, I admit I have not hooked for various reasons ... Now that you have a glimpse of my tastes, it's time to get into the thick of it!
The end of the world, a classic
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII propels us 500 years after the events of Final Fantasy XIII-2. Following the defeat of Caius, Chaos spread over Nova Chrysalia and now only a few habitable areas for humans, waiting for the inevitable end of the world. It is exactly 6 days (and not 13) before the apocalypse that the beautiful Lightning appears. She is now the Liberator in the service of the god Bhunivelze and her role will be to collect the souls of humans ...
This final episode will, of course, be an opportunity to revisit a few familiar faces, starting with Hope, who will stay at L'Arche, a time-honored place where the sacred Yggdrasil tree is located, which will allow Lightning to push back the end of the world (to reach the famous 13 days) according to its harvest of souls. Other protagonists will return, but needless to say too much about it.
As you can see, the scenario of Lightning Returns is rather simple in fact, but as often with Square Enix, the plot will quickly become very indigestible and it is very likely that some players are very quickly lost, especially as the game will not really guide you through its gameplay...
More is hard...
Yes, because for once, we can not say that Square Enix did not listen to the fans. If we could blame Final Fantasy XIII for its corridors, we'll be able to go where we want. Simply put, Lightning Returns is an open world where you will have access to four regions: the cities of Luxerion and Yusnaan, the Wilderness Campaign and the Dunes of Death Desert.
Only minutes after the beginning of your journey, you will be free to go wherever you want, and this is where you will quickly understand that the last episode of this trilogy has nothing to do with the first two .. we do not even talk about the rest of the series. As you may know, time is very important in Lightning Returns and that's why you'll always have a clock below your mini-map, to remind you that the end of the world is near. The concept of time is part of the game, however, since certain neighborhoods will only be accessible at certain times, just like the NPCs who will be present or not according to the time ... More immersive still, some of your actions will allow you to pass the time, such as going to sleep at the hostel or perform some fighting.
Besides, let's talk about fighting. I strongly urge you to select the "easy" mode during your first game, because as you say right now: you will have trouble finishing the game. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIIIis without a doubt one of the most difficult episodes of the series, and it is very likely (but not mandatory) that you can not defeat the final boss in a normal mode during your first game. You should know that in this mode if you come to flee a fight (which will happen to you very often), you will lose an hour in the game before the end of the world. In addition to that, you will not be able to regain your life between each fight (unlike the easy mode), and when you know you have the right to carry only 6 items dedicated to healing for a good part of the game and no magic regenerative is present, then we understand quickly the "problem".
You will ask me how is it possible to complete the game in normal mode, and I will answer you logically: "New Game +"! If you drag too much during your quest and the end of the world is rushed, a nice Game Over will be displayed, and you can choose the New Game + mode that will allow you to start a new game (and unlock the hard way) ) keeping your objects, your statistics and other costumes ... Needless to hide, this is the interest of this Lightning Returns: play and replay until you have access to the most complicated bosses with the equipment the further.
Give me a quest
The central point of this opus, it is obviously its system of quests, and these will allow you to have access to all or almost in the game. To be simple, there is no system of experience in Lightning Returns, and validate a quest will obviously allow you to get new items and a little money, but especially permanent bonuses for your statistics (strength, magic, HP, ATB ...). The more difficult the quest is, the bigger the bonus, and you will have to make a maximum of these quests if you want to have a chance to finish the game without too much trouble. But as I said earlier, time is a rare commodity in this Final Fantasy, and you will not have the possibility to do all the quests before the end of the world during your first game.
I take this opportunity to return a little more detail on the global principle of Lightning Returns. Because if some players will probably be happy to be able to roam in the four regions without (almost) any restriction, taking quests on the right and left, it is obvious that others will not appreciate the ride. It will be something very personal, and everyone will have their vision, but very honestly, playing Lightning ReturnsI had the impression of playing an MMO simulation, but all alone. Basically, we take all the possible quests (and sometimes uninteresting, special mention to "harvest flowers/mushrooms" ...) and we try to do almost everything it is possible to do in an area. From time to time, we decide to embark on the main quest to advance the scenario, but the whole thing is very disjointed overall (because of this too much freedom) and the feeling is special to say the least ... very similar to what can be experienced in a game like Final Fantasy XIV Online for example.
It is important to clarify once again that everyone will appreciate Square Enix's choices for Lightning Returns . The player's profile will determine if he or she adheres to this system.
Pimp My Light
Now that we've been around the game and its universe, let's take a closer look at Lightning and its evolution. Square Enix has pummeled enough to keep it: as Lightning Returns, you will be able to alternate between different styles during the fighting, to adapt. These styles are actually costumes (with their weapons/shields and spells) that you will get during the adventure and that will give you various stats bonuses, as well as some exclusive abilities.
The customization of our heroine is very advanced, and you will be able to really create different styles of the game based on the example on the defense, the physical or magic attack ... The "problem" is that you will be able to choose only 3 styles for the fight, and you will not have access to all possible spells imaginable. If in fact, this is not necessarily a problem, during the game you will see that it will not be rare to lose a fight (and therefore an hour in normal mode) because you do not have this or that attack which puts the opponent in shock to inflict impressive damage. Moreover, as long as we talk about fighting, they are very action-oriented, but ultimately not as much as we could fear. To explain simply, you will constantly observe your opponents to find the fault and parry attacks at the right time, before taking action to try to put your enemy in shock. In the end, the strategy is ubiquitous during the fighting, and even more with the bosses, against whom it is impossible to do anything without passing the weapon to the left.
To return to the personalization of Lightning, it goes even further than the simple equipment, since you will be able to change the color of the clothes, for example, a rather nice feature that allows adapting the behavior of the heroine depending on the weapons it uses ... On the other hand, I confess I have not really understood the interest of adding an extra layer of personalization, allowing players to equip Lightning with various decorative objects, such as cat, tails of rabbits and so on ... Not only the interest seems to me very limited, but in addition, it turns a little ridiculous and is not at all fitting with the character and character that s' in release...
Technical disappointment
We have seen so far several problems that will not necessarily affect all players, but we will now tackle a problem that everyone should agree on: the rendering of the game Final Fantasy has always been a synonymous technical demonstration, with breathtaking graphics and cinematics that are eye-catching. Even if the series does not always convince the players with a scenario or an innovative gameplay, the graphics have always been treated and of high quality. Here, no need to hide the face, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is a real technical disappointment.
If it is possible to override the artistic direction of some cities (Luxerion?), Which will not please everyone, it is more complicated to close the eyes sometimes rough textures of some buildings or walls ... It is clear that the engine of Final Fantasy XIII comes out of breath with Lightning Returns, and we understand especially that it was not designed at the base to offer us an open world game.
As proof of this, I am interested in the Wilderness area which, although green and huge, is simply not up to what we could expect visually. The sets are not really beautiful but add to that the aliasing, the overall effect of blur when you are moving and even severe slowdowns (in the forest for example), and you understand then that he might have had to give the teams a few extra weeks to optimize everything ... Or is this the maximum that can be expected from Crystal Tools on this generation? If so, it's really time to move on to the next-gen.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is not a bad experience in itself, but it should once again split the fans. It seems that the studio had a lot of good ideas ... but once assembled they do not really form a "good" game. If you enjoyed Final Fantasy XIII, its corridors, and its scenario, if I find it difficult to fall in love with this episode, which tries to convince a new audience by proposing an open world and a certain freedom of action to the detriment of history, which is in the falsely complicated and manages to lose the player. Technical side finally, this last episode of the trilogy Final Fantasy XIII is simply not up to what we can expect from the end of the generation. But now that this chapter is closed, fans can finally look away, eyes full of hope, a certain Final Fantasy XV
WE LIKE | WE DO NOT LIKE
------------ | -------------
Replayability in New Game +.| * ... but the mainframe that suffers.
A ton of side quests.| * Technically really mean.
The customization of Lightning.| * The obligation to restart the game to see everything will not be unanimous.
An open world...|
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THANKS FOR READING, ALSO CHECK OUT MY PREVIOUS TEST ON TEST. Dragon Age : Inquisition (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
