Lightning Returns Review Thread
- Thread starter Kagari
- Start date
That's nice. I always find it funny how games that end up averaging around 7 are usually the ones I end up enjoying more than those that are over hyped to the moon and back with scores of 9-10 and 'GOTY' plastered all over them. Go figure.
Now I don't know. Perhaps that has something to do with realistic expectations and knowing what I'm getting into over something that does not quite live up to being the Citizen Kane of gaming, like many hyperbolic reviews state for games that don't ever quite live up to their billing in at least one way or another. That for me has a tendency to create more disappointment than knowing what kinds of flaws to expect.
At any rate, in this game's case, the consensus seems pretty straight forward. It has a shit story in an extended series of games that perhaps should have already moved on to the next mainline entry. But most think that it is still fun to play because of a great battle system, deep customization and some nice replayability. In other words, not as great as Final Fantasy should be, but still a fun game that is not without some redeeming qualities for what it is. Guess I'll find out for myself here in a bit.
Jawmuncher
Member
As long as it's better than XIII-2 (Which I consider a worse game than XIII) i'll be all set.
The joystiq review I seem to be agreeing with so I might be good to go.
The joystiq review I seem to be agreeing with so I might be good to go.
It's not.
Dark_castle
Junior Member
Dark Souls is an action game, and it's better than all pre-FFX's battle system combined.
And?
Um what am I crying about? I said I expected these scores from day one. Trying too hard I see. This fanbase has become beyond ridiculous in attacking others.
Dark_castle
Junior Member
Just want to put it out there.
Perfo
Thirteen flew over the cuckoo's nest
Definitely vindicated. I expected the worse but it seems now the game is at least getting some love. I've seen lots of positive reviews, also an important to me like the one from eurogamer, a magazine usually very believable.
I'm happy.
Lightning, let's walk this last path in joy dismissing haters and lack of money-hatting to these magazines for the sake of Toriyama's happiness. This is the best trilogy and games of the generation and I'll make sure to enjoy everything of it.
I'm READY!
You're right. It's more appropriate to say that (XIII-2 at least) has some depth that's either hindered by the game itself (like not allowing for free movement) or not required at all to beat the game. The only battles in XIII-2 that require more than the bare auto-battle minimum are DLC battles you have to pay more money for.
TheBaronOfNA
Banned
Winston loved Big Brother.
Impeccable
Member
GlamFM
Banned
The Praiseworthy
Member
Well deserved SE... you did a great job for lowering the series quality.
fuzzyreactor
Banned
I'm actually kind of surprised by the scores. Seems even the media isn't giving this game a pass now.
It's a real shame that the brand has been so tainted by the XIII series. Square are fucking idiots.
It's a real shame that the brand has been so tainted by the XIII series. Square are fucking idiots.
Whaaa? When was Perfo tag changed? It's glorious.
I'm surprised his avatar isn't a pic of Lightning
I got my ass kicked by Caius at the end of XIII-2. I still need to go back and beat it, lol.
kenji_sama
Member
Most polished FF game ever scores 6.5 . Hurray !
Say what? The similarities between X and XIII are glaringly obvious. To the point that you'd have to willfully ignore them and plug fingers into your ears trying to deny it. And further, no one has said they are the same, only that they are very similar. Posters here try to distance X from XIII's bad reputation, but the reality is they are far more alike than not. That is indisputable.
Suzushiiro
Banned
This seems like it's another X-2- mediocre main story, great battle system, great and frequently bizarre sidequests. X-2 was probably my favorite Final Fantasy, so I'm pretty fuckin' hyped for this one.
I wonder how different the reception would be if they removed all ties to the XIII games and kept everything else the same? It seems like they could have easily done it and only didn't because of a sense of obligation to resolve XII-2's cliffhanger.
I wonder how different the reception would be if they removed all ties to the XIII games and kept everything else the same? It seems like they could have easily done it and only didn't because of a sense of obligation to resolve XII-2's cliffhanger.
badcrumble
Member
They've got aesthetic similarities and they each have some fairly linear areas within the game.
That's about it.
Tathanen
Get Inside Her!
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-02-11-lightning-returns-final-fantasy-13-review
Pretty strong words there. Acknowledgement that the plot is a shitshow, but claiming it's the best of the three. If this was some random site perhaps easier to disregard, but Eurogamer huh...
Pretty strong words there. Acknowledgement that the plot is a shitshow, but claiming it's the best of the three. If this was some random site perhaps easier to disregard, but Eurogamer huh...
Rev3Games - 3/5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-ybMwhXryc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-ybMwhXryc
Suzushiiro
Banned
Yeah, XIII is the logical endpoint for the FF series' evolution, combining X's single linear path with XII's semi-automatic battle system. XIII-2, LR, and XV are Squeenix's very public attempts at figuring out where the hell to go from there.
And that's probably the reason why X and XII were only hated half as much as XIII- X had XIII's linearity but a more traditional battle system, XII had something close to XIII's battle system but a much less linear design.
Wrong. Progression in each is decidedly linear. Combat is actually very similar to X-2 but with the inclusion of auto-battle. Many areas in XIII draw parallel to X. Shinta's post some pages back details it more.
You'll have to explain your position further if you truly believe what you're saying.
petethepanda
Member
The battle system felt fun as hell in the demo, but for a longer game like a JRPG, I need a at least passable story to keep me interested. If the story is confusing or actively bad it'll turn me off to a JRPG even if the gameplay is solid. Sounding like this'll be a "few months down the line for $30" game for me.
badcrumble
Member
Progression in X isn't particularly linear at all - there's plenty of actual branching, there are the things like teleport/friend spheres (and backtracking along the Sphere Grid) that make it pretty clear that this comparison isn't a useful one. Unless you're going to broaden things enough to say that anything with leveling is also linear (which is both a true statement and a useless one). Otherwise, the comparison between the Sphere Grid and Crystarium is really just an aesthetic similarity, as I already mentioned.
FFXIII's combat is not really very similar at all to X-2's, apart from the speed and the ability to switch between jobs. FFXIII's combat is all about attrition rates and resource management rather than the use of specific abilities, whereas FFX-2 still shares in common with FFX the need for fairly decisive single turns rather than just a well-managed DPS rate.
What similarities they do share, outside of the aesthetic ones, can mostly be explained away in the sense that *all* FF games share many things in common.
And I saw Shinta's post, and it had an exclusive emphasis on, yes, the surface/aesthetic similarities between the games, which is the only thing that can really be substantiated. The story comparisons Shinta makes are a serious stretch, to put it charitably.
There we go again. Flimsy story, but still fun to play with a refreshing battle system and great customization. I like hearing the Majora's Mask and Shenmue comparisons as well. Seems great for those who wanted something different and more real time.
Go_Ly_Dow
Member
May not agree with your and Shinta's views but credit for sticking with your beliefs.
Such BELIEVE! ;_;
From the Gamespot review:
Sounds frustrating. The Gametrailers review had no problems thanks to abusing Overclock, but then they wound up having too much time.
How does the Overclock mechanic work?
It seems to be the case yes, though you will benefit from the New Game+ feature (however, it seems that some things are only unlockable if you do a New Game+ by finishing the game - beginning a New Game+ mode following a Game Over won't grant you those things).
BananasWithGuns
Member
A 7/10 average is about what I expected from the get go really. I'm actually surprised to see so many dip into the 4-5 range though. Even if the story is god awful (I haven't played it yet) that seems crazy harsh.
Either way, reviews never mattered to me for this game whether they be good or bad. I'm just ready to give the XIII series a decent (I hope) send off.
Either way, reviews never mattered to me for this game whether they be good or bad. I'm just ready to give the XIII series a decent (I hope) send off.
I am going to be pissed if I run out of time and have to start over again. I want to enjoy the world, so I am going to go out of my way to try and extend it.
There's a resource called GP that you earn by fighting monsters. You can spend that GP in the overworld on an ability called Overclock that freezes the clock for a few minutes. While you're moving around during the effect of Overclock, you can get into more fights, and perhaps earn GP to do another Overclock.
It sounds like it's balanced differently depending on the difficulty mode selected, but I'm not sure exactly how it works out in the end.
EDIT: When I say Overclock, I mean Chronostasis.
The presence of differences doesn't negate the clear similarities in other areas. The fact remains many areas in XIII draw parallel to X and the general progression of the games is through corridor-like areas. Also, just because you can backtrack on the sphere grid doesn't make it so different from the crystarium that they can't be compared. Both essentially have stat gains and abilities at the end of path lines. The crystarium is simplified, but it is in the same vein.
X-2 uses an atb system unlike X, so no, it doesn't share X's strategies much at all. The atb in X-2, to add further, is constantly going and there is no 'wait' option a la XII so you have to think on your toes and choose actions quickly, unlike X where you could wait while you thought out your next move. That is how it's similar to XIII, the difference between it and XIII being you can only control one character in XIII and there is an auto-battle option (another example of XIII simplifying it, but existing in the same idea).
I come from not only a story/aesthetic standpoint but a functional and structural/design standpoint. You cannot simply say 'explained away by similarities in all FF's' without explaining what exactly you're talking about. Be specific.
brandonh83
Banned
It uses up 2 EP; OC is unlimited ATB I suppose for uhh, maybe 10 seconds?
You start with a limit of 5 EP, and as you progress/do quests, you get that limit raised. You can refill your EP bar by fighting.
So using Overclock is the only way to extend time?
TheBaronOfNA
Banned
Use points to activate. Stop time for a few minutes. Battle some monsters. Use points to activate. Repeat.
For god's sake, someone get Fahey a thesaurus. That single, lonely "sprawling" is heartbreaking.
Tathanen
Get Inside Her!
It boggles the mind that none of these outlets have actual editors. It's always shocked me, really. My stupid bufu website that no one even reads has run its content through an editing process for years, what's their excuse.