Final Fantasy XIII-2

by Square Enix

• Just as the monsters appear on screen, a dial clock called "Mog Clock" appears in the middle of the bottom half of the screen and a red ring surrounds the player's character with a radius of about 3 meters.
• The Crux system allows players to jump through various gates throughout XIII-2. Players will see a drastic change, based on their choices. This would also go towards the multiple endings of the game.
• Players will be presented with a puzzle-like problem in a void between dimensions.
• The player will be presented with a series of "dialogue trees" when talking to non-player characters (NPCs).

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B003O6JIVE
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: January 31, 2012
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (250 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #512 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #13 in Video Games > PlayStation 3 > Games > Role-Playing

Product Description

Platform: PLAYSTATION 3 | Edition: Standard

From the Manufacturer

FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 is the follow-up to the 2010 hit title FINAL FANTASY XIII, and the latest installment in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series, which has shipped over 100 million units worldwide. The all-star production staff returns to create a true sequel that offers a more immersive experience than its predecessor, with extraordinary level design that encourages exploration, a more strategic paradigm-based Active Time Battle system, the ability to tame monsters and have them fight in your party, and a multi-path, player-driven experience that offers significant replay value.

Story Three years after Lightning and the others saved Cocoon, some survivors decided to start over by rebuilding on Gran Pulse. Lightning, however, is nowhere to be found and thought dead by many, but Serah believes otherwise. When her town is suddenly overrun by monsters, a mysterious man named Noel appears to save her. Together, the two set off on a journey that transcends time and space, hoping to find Lightning.

Key Features

• Player-driven scenario with freedom over story progression
• Multiple endings offer extensive replay value
• Tame and develop over 150 different monsters as party members, including iconic monsters like cactuars, tonberries, and behemoths
• Newly added "tuning" feature allows for greater strategic control over paradigms
• Cinematic Action sequences blur the line between battles and cutscenes
• Diverse in-game environments rife with NPCs offer an abundance of exploration opportunities and side missions

Explore a variety of locales set across a timeline spanning over seven hundred years. View larger.

FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 continues the series' unmatched visual presentation. View larger.

Tame and call upon enemy monsters to fight alongside your battle party. View larger.

Encounter familiar faces while traversing the crossroads of time and space. View larger.

Cinematic Action sequences offer the most interactive FINAL FANTASY gaming experience ever. View larger.

Product Description

Cocoon - a utopia in the sky. Its inhabitants believed their world a paradise. Under the Sanctum's rule, Cocoon had long known peace and prosperity. Mankind was blessed by its protectors, the benevolent fal'Cie, and believed that tranquil days would continue forever. Their tranquillity was shattered with the discovery of one hostile fal'Cie. The moment that fal'Cie from Pulse - the feared and detested lowerworld - awoke from its slumber, peace on Cocoon came to an end. Fal'Cie curse humans, turning them into magic-wielding servants. They become l'Cie - chosen of the fal'Cie. Those branded with the mark of a l'Cie carry the burden of either fulfilling their Focus or facing a fate harsher than death itself. A prayer for redemption. A wish to protect the world. A promise to challenge destiny. After thirteen days of fates intertwined, the battle begins. Set several years after Lightning and the others saved Cocoon, some survivors have decided to start over by rebuilding on Gran Pulse. Lightning, however, is nowhere to be found and thought dead by many, but Serah believes otherwise. When her town is suddenly overrun by monsters, a mysterious man named Noel appears to save her.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 64 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An improvement to all of FFXIII's weak points but ending feels unsatisfying February 3, 2012

By Scwashere

Platform for Display:PLAYSTATION 3| Edition:Standard|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I've been waiting for FFXIII-2 for a while and I have to say this game is an improvement to all of the weak aspects of Final Fantasy XIII. I have played this game nonstop since it came out and I was able to rush through the main storyline in 20 hours. Keep in mind that I have beaten this game (got through the final cutscene)but not with 100% completion.

The first DEFINITE improvement is that you are no longer bound by a linear storyline / corridors to travel through. This is a much welomed improvement for sure, the option for the player to proceed at their own pace by selecting to skip around history is very nice.

The second improvement is that the upgrading system seems to be easier to use, you are able to level your character as you please and you are able to level whatever role you want.

Now to the bad parts (not a lot and these are just opinions)

The first is that your third party member is limited to the monsters you encounter and capture. And you feel a bit empty inside after spending time leveling a monster only to have it replaced by a lower level, but stronger creature that you just captured.

For the people that were wondering about the Amazon DLC Omega, it does NOT make you overpowered or allow you to breeze through the game. I have beaten the game with at least 3 roles of each character maxed to level 99 and still omega kicks my ass (he doesn't join you until you beat him).

********************* POSSIBLE SPOILER INCOMING???!? ******************************

The MAIN problem I have with FFXIII is that this is the only Final Fantasy game that I've played that literally said "to be continued" after you beat the final boss. It leaves me feeling so unsatisfied that the game ended like that. Well to be fair I don't know if there is an alternate ending for finishing the game with 100%. But after looking around on youtube, the secret ending doesn't really add much to the ending in FFXIII-2. I'm not going to go into details of how it ended but it feels cut short.

**************************************** END SPOLIER SECTION **************************

Overall this is a very good game, it is a must buy if you enjoyed FFXIII and it feels like a much more polished game and what FFXIII should have been. Still a very good game, I might update this review when I finish more of the game.

UPDATE: Ok, well now I finished the game 158/160 fragments and have done basically everything the game has to offer and now my total playtime is 50 hours. So bascially if you are going to spend your time with only the story mode and ignore all of the side quest content, this game can probably be rented and beaten in a week. However if you are a completionist and like to do all of the stuff that the game has to offer, just keep in mind that this game does not offer nearly as much play time as other final fantasy titles.

50 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Jammed packed with fun! February 4, 2012

By J. Chavez

Platform for Display:PLAYSTATION 3|Edition:Standard

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

The best part about this game in my opinion is the overall vas exploration and hidden secrets all over. I have always been the type to work hard to find all a game has to offer and FFXIII-2 has tons. Monster collection, which I originally thought was a terrible addition to fill in the spot of a third character, is so much fun and very addicting. Almost every monster you fight, you have a chance of collecting them in a crystal, having them join your party. Each one has a specific role and their own unique feral attacks. Overall, it's a fantastic addition to the game.

When you feel like taking a break from searching for Lightning, there is an amusement park style casino where you can play slots and raise chocobo's for the races to earn some nice prizes and gil. There are a few areas here that are not open yet. If you talk to an employee NPC, you will hear that these areas are under construction and will be available at a later date. Hinting that new games will be available through DLC, including a new card game next to the slots. Square Enix already has me itching for the DLC.

The graphics and gameplay mechanics are almost the same, just improved and move at a much faster rate than XIII. Although, the story does take a little while to get interesting and can be very confusing at times. Nothing is forced and you have the freedom to explore and grind to lvl 99 from the very beginning without even touching the main story line. (Although I would pace yourself on leveling too fast, because the fights will get super easy) No limitations or caps are put on you. The main story line may take about 25 hours to complete, but the amount of content meant to be explored will have you playing for at least 50-60 hours easily. Not to mention the DLC they plan on releasing later on. They really listened to the fanbase and have given us a product that is both fun and entertaining. If you want a game that will have you hooked from the very beginning, pick this one up.

P.S.
I came across a Tonberry King today...got my butt kicked in like 30 seconds. He is a beast.

23 of 29 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars It's not over yet... February 20, 2012

By TanH

Platform for Display:PLAYSTATION 3| Edition:Standard|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

First of all let me say that you are in for disappointment if you think this is the last FF13 game. The ending clearly states "to be continued" so you can expect there will be a Ff13-3.

In any case, FF13-2 is truly a fun game with a unique battle system where you can use monsters to fight for you like pokemon. If you didn't preorder the game, you won't be able to use Omega Weapon in battle until they release a DLC for it. Don't worry though, I got Omega and he sucks so you aren't missing anything.

In addition to the main story, there are many side quests and random things to do such as gambling at a casino and chocobo racing. Even with all these extra things to do, the duration of the game is relatively short. I finished the game in 30 hours even after spending a lot of time doing quests and leveling up. For unlocking the platinum trophy for ps3, it took me an extra 40 hours.

As for the story itself, be prepared to be confused. You've probably seen the trailers already and know that there is a random new guy in your party, his name is Noel. Basically Serah and Noel are traveling through time to find Lightning. Why are they looking for Lightning? Well because she magically disappeared after the end of FF13. She somehow ended up in the future where she has to constantly fight this native-american looking guy with unlimited auto-life who has the ability to transform into Bahamut whenever he feels like it. In the very beginning of the game you get to fight as Lightning against this native-american dude. Since he has unlimited auto-life, he is the first, middle, and last boss of the game, effectively making him the most unimaginative boss in final fantasy history. You might also be wondering what happened to the clothes Lightning was wearing in FF13...well the answer is they disappeared. Later in the game you have the privilege of seeing Lightning's naked backside as her FF13 clothes magically disappear and she transforms sailormoon style into the battle armor she is wearing now. The same thing happens to Serah so now she has new clothes too. If you don't like her clothes, you can buy a swimsuit outfit for Serah when the DLC is released on 2/28 for $2.99.

Anyways, as the story progresses you will briefly come into contact with FF13 characters such as Snow and Hope. None of them join your party except for Snow, but even Snow stays for only a little while. My personal opinion is that Square Enix took the storyline from another game they were planning to make (possibly the Chrono Break game that they abandoned). The storyline just seems so out of place and randomly put together for a FF13 sequel, especially the ending. The secret ending you get after collecting all 160 fragments is even worse. The gameplay is definitely a 5/5, but the story is at most a 3/5.

In conclusion, this is a must have for Final Fantasy fans. The gameplay is really fun and some music from FF13 is present as well. Just don't be offended by the story or ending, Square Enix will be adding more purchasable DLC content and creating a FF13-3 to tie up loose ends. What a great way to steal more of our money!

Update: I bought the new DLC quest involving Sazh for $4.99. I am completely disappointed and wish I never bought it. Basically Sazh and his son were flying an airship when they got sucked into a space time anomaly. Sazh ends up trapped in Serendipity (the casino) where he has to play card games (poker and chronobind) until he wins enough (30 medals) to save his son. Afterwards you can use Sazh in your party. If this sounds like something you might be interested in go ahead and buy it, otherwise save that $4.99 to buy that hot swimsuit for Serah or the colliseum battle with Lightning. I rather prefer Lightning (Ravager) over Sazh (Synergist) in my party anyways because I rarely use Synergists and it is nice to see the 2 sisters fighting together in my party.