We Love It's Guide to…
As Lightning, race a doomed world’s thirteen-day countdown, save its people through quests, and fight with swappable combat styles.
Released 10 Dec 2015
Rescue Souls Before Doomsday
Swap Three Battle Styles
Time Your Blocks
Lightning Returns is the concluding chapter of the Final Fantasy XIII saga and series heroine Lightning's final battle. The grand finale of the trilogy brings a world reborn as well as free character customization and stunning action based battles.
Developed by Square Enix · Published by Square Enix









Set in a world nearing destruction, the game casts Lightning as its sole playable hero, tasked with saving people’s souls before the world ends in thirteen days.
Explore four regions and take on main and side quests for residents. Some people and events are available only at certain times, so players decide how to spend each day. Completing quests helps Lightning grow, and saving souls can extend the time remaining.
Combat is action-oriented: Lightning switches among three configurable outfit-and-gear setups, each with its own abilities and action gauge. She attacks, guards, dodges, and times blocks, while abilities found from enemies can be combined to make them stronger.
Players who enjoy the game most often praise its fast, tactical combat and the freedom to tailor Lightning’s outfits and abilities. Some also find its countdown adds urgency and planning, while others say it makes exploration stressful. Reviews are similarly divided on the quests and story: players appreciate the character moments and trilogy conclusion, but others find the quests repetitive and the plot uneven. The soundtrack and atmosphere also receive praise.
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 42 |
| Age ratings |
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| Controller support | Xbox |
| Controller required | No |
| DLC / extras | 2 listed on Steam |
| DRM / EULA |
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| Content notices |
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| Website | Official website |
Games similar to LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII