Final Fantasy XIII was bombarded with the same issue of being too linear from both fans and critics. Forcing players to funnel through various tunnels and hallways for nearly 20 hours and only allowing a small portion to explore left gamers wondering why they implemented such a concept. However with Final Fantasy XIII-2 the developers at Square-Enix have learned from the mistakes of Final Fantasy XIII by removing the linearity of the first game and replacing it with choice, exploration, and branching paths, while ensuring it was a direct sequel by incorporating elements such as the Paradigm system that existed in the first game. Although there are notable improvements from the first game some things, such as the story, seem to have been overlooked by encouraging emotional responses rather than actual content. One thing is certain though Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a better game and a good sequel.

Those who haven’t played Final Fantasy XIII nor need a catch-up session won’t have to worry. The developers have incorporated a segment within the menu to convey the entire story of Final Fantasy XIII, in chapters, and provide bonus for those who have saved files from the original title. In the beginning of Final Fantasy XIII-2 you start off playing Lightening in a place called Valhalla, a place beyond time, to fend off an attack by an unknown advisory named Caius. In the middle of the fight a man named Noel Kriess appears and is a given a mission to Serah and bring her to Lightening. Three years later the people of Cocoon have established lives on Gran Pulse and Noel delivers the message to Serah from her supposedly dead sister telling her about the dreadful future he comes from. Everyone believes Lightening to be dead and trapped in the crystal pillar with Fang and Vanille, except her fiancé Snow. With the hope that her sister might be alive allows Serah to remove herself from the civilian life and embarked on a journey to final Lightening and prevent Noel’s future from happening. As you travel throughout this mass time journey you will encounter several familiar and many new people, especially Caius who might not be what he seems in the beginning.  

Clean is the best word to describe the look of Final Fantasy XIII-2. Everything from the environment to the menus have a clear sparkle that glitters with a fruitful array of lights and colors. The characters themselves are rendered with elaborate detail that especially stands out during the eventful cutscenes. Cutscences integrated into the battle system ensure that each fight remains flashy, dramatic, and tense during "Live" sequences.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 will have you traveling around different areas and various time periods. Each world is colorfully designed and well-designed characters populate each area. Traveling throughout the different worlds in various times allows for eye-catching changes that allow players to immediately notice the differences between each area. Although the game still looks a lot of like Final Fantasy XIII that is not a bad thing. Final Fantasy XIII was a beautiful game and the same look and feel of that same engine ensures that the sequel remains genuine.

Final Fantasy has always been known for having great voice-acting and outstanding musical scores and Final Fantasy XIII-2 is no exception. The actors between Noel and Serah do an excellent job of establishing believable performances of a developing bond. The supporting cast is also portrayed with solid performances, but most of them are easily overlooked by familiar faces of the original game. The music used within Final Fantasy XIII-2 does a fantastic job of setting the mood whither it is a boss battle or a minor conversation.

The biggest issue with Final Fantasy XIII was the lack of exploration and long tutorial, it was fearful that Square-Enix would implement that same linearity. However Square-Enix has trash this fear and instead embraces the ability to scout various areas and grant full use of power system during the first couple of hours. You’ll spend a majority of the game traveling through time using time gates. By using these times gates you can access certain areas at different times or even a different universe. These areas have many branching paths and hidden treasures that encouraging those seeking them to go off the expected path. As Serah and Noel travel through time in the search for Lightening you will be able to solve paradoxes, or side quest.

Combat in Final Fantasy XIII-2 hasn’t changed much from the original game. Enemies don’t appear on screen entirely like Final Fantasy XIII but instead appear at random and in what is called a Mog circle. During this phase you are placed in a circle and choose if you want to escape, fight, or attempt gain a preemptive strike. You will still be using the Paradigm system to alternate between medic, commando, ravager, and sentential to defeat enemies. As before you control one character as a time and select the actions you want till it fits the action gauge with that corresponding class or simply use the auto-command function to quickly conclude battles. Battles are meant to be short and to ensure this the developers included a wound system that can be inflicted by enemies during fights, but only remain during that battle. Like Final Fantasy XIII you attack an enemy enough you will trigger a stagger phase that allows for intense damage. However unlike the third slot belongs to a monster that you tame and choose. These monsters unfortunately have a set paradigm class and have specific abilities that level up the more you invest into that creature. 

Leveling and the combat rating system within Final Fantasy XIII-2 is a refined version of the first title. You still earn CP by defeating enemies and completing quest and use those points to level one of the classes. However instead of putting separate Crystariums for each class you simply select a class then use those points to level by clicking on that specific class. Unlike the first title earning a 5-star rating in battle doubles the chances of earning rare items and the game doesn't end if your team leader dies. Talking to people sometimes offers four choices and choosing one over the other offers different dialog options or prizes. 

If you were a fan of Final Fantasy XIII then you'll enjoy Final Fantasy XIII-2 and those who didn't won't find anything here to change their mind. Square-Enix listened to the criticism from Final Fantasy XIII and delivered a game that has better exploration, combat, and side quests and made Final Fantasy XIII-2 is an excellent addition to series.

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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