Final Fantasy XIII-2

XIII-2 is a complicated and inconsistent sequel, then, and one I can only recommend to a subsection of the series’ audience. It is better than XIII. This fixes a lot of its predecessor’s structural problems, focusing on the airtight combat and sensibly dialling up the exploration, but tries its hand at a bunch of new ideas that entirely fail. This feels like a game crafted around a survey of unhappy fans and, as such, is one of the oddest Final Fantasy entries to date.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 is the best entry in the Fabula Nova Crystallis series, offering far improved gameplay systems while giving players access to a highly diverse soundtrack and various timelines to explore. While the two protagonists are among the weaker of the franchise, the ability to recruit monsters into your party is a delightful change to the formula. ...Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a step in the right direction for Square Enix, paving the way for future releases from the Japanese giant.

In the end, Final Fantasy XIII-2 is an oddity in design and execution. It aims to amend the flaws in Final Fantasy XIII while failing to craft a stable standalone narrative that can stand on its own. There are some good ideas and fun elements in the game that are ultimately obscured in a collage of mediocrity. The Steam port adds another layer to this collage thanks to some improvements over the console versions only to perform inconsistently.