Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 62 | 4 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 50 | 0 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 79% | 73 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 81% | 75 | 13 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 38 reviews sampled · 35 total reviews in window · weighted 25.9 up / 6.2 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (12)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 60
“To dwell on the debacle that is Lightning Returns's ghastly storytelling is to deprive oneself of a rather fantastically constructed battle system, one that sporadically elevates the game from disastrous lows to dizzying heights.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The story of Final Fantasy XIII and its characters is concluded in Lightning Returns, but both the ending, and the road to it don't form a cohesiveness that you would expect from a Final Fantasy title.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“With a wealth of customisation options, intriguing side content, and a fantastic soundtrack, Lightning Returns is a unique approach to many of the RPG mechanics that were starting to feel stale or already were. The main quests may be overshadowed by the extensive side content, but the result is still an involved and rewarding RPG, and the best of the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“"Lightning Returns" completes the long-running "Final Fantasy XIII" story arc, but in a way that's just as polarizing as its forebears.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A game of two halves, Lightning Returns isn't a brilliant end to the XIII trilogy that you may have hoped for, but it's enjoyable. Just try to ignore the coma-inducing story.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“At then end of the day, Lightning Returns is a decent game. It is worth the price and is worth the play to finally get some closure on this time travelling adventure and put an end to the world of FF XIII. There is plenty of extra content to keep you busy but if you're like me, then just finishing the story will be worth it alone.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“If you're reading this then I'm going to assumed you have, as a very brave soul, already played through the original pair of games. As such you sort of know what you're getting here. In comparison to XIII it's certainly a stronger experience, but it's a case of whether you can stomach yet another adventure in that vein.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Lightning Returns, but you might well be better off remembering her as she was.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“I hated Lightning Returns, but I also love it. Its greatness nearly ruined by bad packaging.”
read full review ↗ - 68
“Square Enix have finally given us a world packed with quests, slick combat and significant depth in how we equip Lightning for battle. So why have they put all this in such a bland world and under a time limit? This could have been a rich game for us to explore and wrap ourselves in. Instead, we're pushed around and made to feel unwelcome.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Lightning Returns is the antithesis of its predecessors. The confined and plodding pace of the last two games is no more and the nonsensical narrative has been lightly improved. More still, the combat is hands-down the strongest of the three games. Unfortunately, Lightning's new quest isn't without its limitations, as while the visual fidelity has improved thanks to the transition to the significantly more flexible platform, the six year old engine is showing its age and the degree past assets are used is almost criminal.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Although a greatest hits in a sense ' what with chocobos, Moogles and more ' Lightning Returns can't shake the feeling of a track on repeat. Time is of the essence in real terms as well; time to move on, perhaps.”
read full review ↗
Slant Magazine
Gamer Escape
Cubed3
Tom's Guide
GameGrin
GameSkinny
Game Debate
RPG Site
gameranx
New Game Network
Hardcore Gamer
The Digital FixPatch history
- 12/7/2021 UpdateJul 12, 2021
- Feb 2016 UpdateFeb 24, 2016
- Feb 2016 UpdateFeb 24, 2016
- 24th December 2015 Game UpdateDec 24, 2015
- 24th December 2015 Game UpdateDec 24, 2015