Self-imposed pain...

User Rating: 5 | Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII PS3

When I first watched GS's video review, I thought that it was a bit harsh. But actually, after playing it for about 20h I agree with it totally. The whole running against the clock wrecks the enjoyment of the game entirely. Maybe the director thought that it would be a thrill to the player.. However it is just a pain to be rushing around, not knowing what exactly would be better to do with the time left.... I read many reviews saying that finishing the game in the first run is bordering impossible.. The game forces you to accept the fact that you need a game + or game ++ after failing to do what you were supposed to... And that is not fun.. at least not for me. game + should be an option, not a necessity. The game looks so nice, I would love to wander around the Wildlands area without being rushed... I could, if I really wanted to but, by doing so, I would be compromising the rest of the game. That's just one example of the 'hard', forced-upon-the-player decisions that the director probably thought would be 'fun'... I hate to say that, because I am a big fan of the FF series, but this game is worse than the predecessors.... In the end it's not fun at all. It feels like a chore, the silly quests and the time mechanics/ areas closed until a certain time etc etc.... it all feels a pain. and before someone says that I didn't know how to play the game, I actually am doing well in it. I am managing my time well in all 4 islands, bla bla bla. But doing well in the game does not necessarily equate to having fun. I am a completionist and I will finish this game as a matter of principle. But, man, this game is a pain most of the time...