Customer Rating:  
Summary: Recently finished the game...
Comment: ... and I've got to say it was worth the experience.
However, what I didn't like is the linearity (mentioned everywhere).
I don't mind the linear concept itself, it's just that it limits the game's potential that much more whereas story and fun is to be had.
This installment focused more on the fast paced story and development. Because of that, they didn't put in a lot of interactions a player can do with the world. If it wasn't linear as it is, it might have given more immersion, but they'd have to incorporate that much more details.
Previous Final Fantasies did well in that factor, immersion.
The soundtrack was highly enjoyable for me so that's a plus.
The battle strategies were addicting when I was playing against a friend's progress.
To me, the best entertainment has to do with how immersible it can be, and Final Fantasies were the king of it in RPG with their story lines, graphics, progression, and music.
This would be the first Final Fantasy that broke that line of immersible interaction with its linearity and underdeveloped characters. To me, Final Fantasy X was the beginning of the linearity, yet the story and its world were so immersible, it was fine. Final Fantasy XII was one where the exploration was great, yet the story lacked immersion. Finally, Final Fantasy XIII, both the story and world lacks immersion.
I'd like Final Fantasy to stick to what it made it highly enjoyable: story interactions, plot, character development, graphics, and most importantly, immersion.
Sadly, I couldn't really get into the story or the characters. As for the character, it could have been the voice actors. I compared the Japanese to English actors, and the Japanese ones gave more of an "oomph" that would've made it more emotionally charged, whereas the English version had its characters indifferent, calm and quizzical (at the most) most of the time. The difference in the lyrical soundtrack also changes the mood of the game from the Japanese version to the English one. The Japanese one has more of what western audience may call "cheesy" tunes for a pop music. However, without this element, the content ends up flat and numb.
From the voice and musical comparisons I made, the game's tone changes drastically whereas I'd enjoy the former (Japanese) one more than the latter in the factors of immersion and characters. It'd change the story from "I can't believe this is happening to us (groan)" to a "This is a matter of life and death!"
I really hope the future installments will remedy this by making the audio interchangeable, regardless of platform equality.
As for the story, there were tons of deus ex machina and a lot of glitz. If the story was to be centered on the characters, as I believe that's what it was meant to be, it would've worked if it wasn't so shallow. Because the character story left a lot to be desired, the focus then turns to the flashy and wondrous fal'Cie and the curious world. These weren't meant to be the bulk of the story, judging by the lack of a story on them besides serving as plot devices.
So I was left confusedly satisfied and unsatisfied. Satisfied by the graphics, game play, musical score, and character personalities; unsatisfied by the story, immersion, and its world.
Therefore, I rate this:
FUN 4/5
OVERALL 3/5
Customer Rating:
Summary: Legit!
Comment: FF-XIII is pretty good. Well worth the money. I honestly love the franchise, but this game can get a little dull at times. A lot of the time you think you're watching a movie because the cut scenes are so long, but this is a plus for me!
Like: Graphics (especially on cut-scenes), battles are quick, in-depth cut scenes.
Dislike: Voice acting, linear plot, lack of strategy, NO MINI GAMES! :\
Okay, so you may think the cons outweigh the cost, but they don't!! Even though it may have it's shortcomings it's worth every penny! The graphics alone are good enough for me to get this game. Sure, it's not as amazing as other FFs but it's still amazing. As long as you enjoy playing RPGs, I highly suggest this game. This probably isn't too great of a review, sorry!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Not so good
Comment: I wish that Final Fantasy 13 was more like the old ones. The music seems inappropriate at time (uematsu?), and the whole production seems designed to allow children into a very hardcore genre of gaming. This may be the last time I put up with Square-Enix's bastardization of all that once was awesome.
Customer Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT GAME!!! DON'T LISTEN TO HATERS
Comment: I have been a final fantasy fan for many many years. I don't understand why people hate this game. Yes it is linear and it may be a little tedious sometimes and yes Vanille can be a bit annoying, but the game is breathtaking. The graphics are amazing and the story is great.
No game is perfect and this one is no exception, but I feel that the "goods" outway the "bads." Even after the story is done, there is tons of stuff to do. I am still playing it and getting my butt kicked. Is it my favorite game.....NO, not by a longshot, but am I happy with my purchase.....HELL yeah!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Best FF ever?
Comment: Well, to me it's close!
My fave is actually ten.But this one is almost as good!
The characters, first of all, are awesome! They are like real people. And they do develop over the course of the story very well, which is a huge plus.You actually care for them!
The graphics are the best I have ever seen on any game.Ever!Hands down!
The music, while not the best of the series, still does it's job of making the game feel fast paced.
The story is as always with FF games, well done.
And the gameplay is fun.This isn't your normal FF game.You only control on character, but it is still fun.There is a lot of strategy involved.Just don't grow accustomed to auto-battle, as it ruins the fun.
I'm glad I bought it, and I am never selling it.It's a tresaure.
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