GameSpot alternative take review of Lightning Returns

Well, not so much an alternative take as Chris didn't think it was a good game either; he thought it was worse.

Anyway, while LR doesn't sound like a good game by any means, he probably should have at least finished it.

I think if anyone should review anything, the golden rule is at least finish the main story

Agreed.

I truly wish S-E would tone down the horrendous stylization shell they wrap their gameplay in (concerning FFXIII saga). Turn down the wonky anime sh*t and stick to the stylizations of earlier FF titles (any previous game was far more tolerable - more worlds along the lines of VI, VIII, IX, and X please).

Why the hell did he choose this game to be his gateway Final Fantasy? I call foul play, why would anyone start on the third sequel to one of the worst reputed games in the series? What was going on through the author's mind, I have no idea. I mean, Bravely Default released almost at the same time, why didn't you choose the more well received one? Or check out FFX-X-2?

This waste of time has been provided to you by GameSpot.

I don't know if they have even that requirement for this site. Which worries me a lot

so he never played the previous FFXIII games that LR's story is based on, and he didn't even finish the game, well, at least he was honest about it

well, I enjoyed the previous two games, so I'm eventually gonna play this, there were haters then and whatever mechanisms of human behavior that push us to conformity didn't stop me from enjoying them

anyhow, if it does bad that just means it'll go cheap quicker

Let's be honest here. The XIII saga was like runny shit that made your socks soggy. No one should have to reach the finish line like that. Sometimes, terribad is terribad and FFXIII is that game.

It can't even be classified as just wacky anime shit, because honestly what square has achieved with their "art style," in the 13 series particularly when it comes to characters is just bat shit crazy mixed with multicolored half off day at the Thrift Shop.

It's like they studied up on Harajuku style or some other awful shit and decided to go with that. FF has always had crazy designed characters with the tamest probably being ff7 and 8.

Its a JRPG... Ofcourse he didn't like it.

Final Fantasy XIII was my 1st JRPG.

My whole view on the genre is based on that.

I know its wrong. But its right.... :)

@ReadingRainbow4 said:

@Basinboy said:

I truly wish S-E would tone down the horrendous stylization shell they wrap their gameplay in (concerning FFXIII saga). Turn down the wonky anime sh*t and stick to the stylizations of earlier FF titles (any previous game was far more tolerable - more worlds along the lines of VI, VIII, IX, and X please).

It can't even be classified as just wacky anime shit, because honestly what square has achieved with their "art style," in the 13 series particularly when it comes to characters is just bat shit crazy mixed with multicolored half off day at the Thrift Shop.

It's like they studied up on Harajuku style or some other awful shit and decided to go with that. FF has always had crazy designed characters with the tamest probably being ff7 and 8.

LOL. One can only hope that demographic is in recession.

But you start to get where designs like these came from:

You disappoint me, Chris.

Oh look. He only described the Gameplay in just three paragraphs. And even then It explained very little.

Just thought that was weird because this is a video game review. Watching cutscenes isn't all the difficult to grasp. And yet 90 percent of the review is about the story.

Which he didn't even finnish !

That's just mean... for this awful title, anyways. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

Honestly, I didn't find the review to be very well written. He mentions the flaws, yes, but doesn't elaborate on why it makes the game so weak. The problems listed under "the bad" seem like they could be forgivable with all the info he gave about them. To me, it seemed like he was just listing them off without really explaining why the issues he mentioned dragged the game down so much.

Also, finish the damn game. You can't really review a game until you've beaten the main story at the very least. I did that once, I regret it now. That's something really shitty user review writers do, not professionals.

I guess it's good to have a unbiased opinion, but starting with the third in a trilogy doesn't make sense.

I laughed at the pro for architecture though. That's really stretching the compliments.

He called it poor. After beating it and putting 60hrs in its far far away from a poor game.Just cant agree with his opinion.

In your opinion. In his opinion, it's a poor game.

Well I did edit my post :p.

I guess he wanted to try one of the newer mainline FF titles. Though with FF13 being better received then LR surprised he didint go there since its part of a triliogy.

it is really a shitty game, specially at the beginning searching them numbers on the wall

Easiest thing to notice with a shit load of videogame reviewers.

You learn quickly what kind of sites actually finish the game vs they get to a point of "well my mind is made up, nothing significant can happen from here".

What a waste of time.

It is a little weird to me that he's reviewing the third game in a trilogy without playing the first two. On the other hand by all accounts the plot in LR is shit so maybe that doesn't matter.

I tried to play the game but couldn't get past the first CGI cut-scene. It's that bad... This is one game that only a hardcore weaboo or a delusional Square fan would be able to enjoy. Easily the worst in the trilogy.

I enjoyed the game for the most part. I give the game a 7 out of 10. I hated the pacing to the game and the learning curve with the time limit made it hard till the end when I realized I had a lot of time left. Some of the mechanics of accessories and shemata I didn't understand fully till the end either, but the game is built for multiple playthroughs so it made the second more fun.

Honestly though, the game also suffers from offering dumb long conversation quests.The same thing that Xenoblade did which imo hurt the pacing.I think S-E should really start making games the way they want to and "not" listen to the fanbase. I feel that this game resulted in what S-E thought the fans wanted ie:" A town, big open world, and quest". I enjoyed Final Fantasy XIII a lot, others did not. Just move on. I liked it more when Square just pushed the games they loved and were happy about it.One of the reasons why I'm glad Nomura is directing Final Fantasy XV

on topic, I don't see why someone would allow a newcomer to review this game. Let alone do it twice.It would make more sense with a popular reviewed game.

If he put 20 hours into a game and wasn't having a good time at all, then why keep playing? Why should he subject himself to more in hopes that it will get better? If a game isn't any fun or interesting after 20 hours of play, then that is a solid reason to post a review and tell others that the game should not be purchased. Even if the next 20 hours turned out to be amazing, it doesn't change the fact that it takes 20 hours of awfulness to get there.

Which is why the review should be edited and redone.

wow what a mature comment. Putting down anyone els who likes a game you dont.Also since you couldint get pass the first CGI cutscene doesint that mean you didint even play it.

Hannibal! Good choice.

@Gue1:

That post is so full of stupid.

Starting off with the second sequel of the thirteenth game in the main franchise is funny as ****.

Still, I'm not convinced it's all doom and gloom with this game. DarkLink made it sound interesting enough otherwise.

I gotta give him credit for putting up with 20 hours of an obviously shit game.

Because it's unprofessional.

If it's a player review from someone who isn't being paid, that's fine, but it's his job to review a game. He should see it to the end, regardless of how bad it is.

what if its sooo bad that they couldnt????

ive had a couple of those in my lifetime

I miss those days when ff games were must buy

@jsmoke03: Then he shouldn't be writing the review.

While i havent played Lighting Returns yet but LOL let me know when GS actually knows how to review a game.