FINAL FANTASY® XIII on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
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Final Fantasy XIII is a fantasy RPG in which a band of brave humans struggle against fate in the utopian sky city of Cocoon and the primeval world of Pulse. Follow stylish heroine Lightning's fast paced battles and high adventure in a mysterious new world.
FINAL FANTASY® XIII is a jrpg, rpg and female protagonist game
developed and published by Square Enix.
Released on October 09th 2014 is available only on Windows
in 5 languages: English, French, Italian, German and Spanish - Spain.
It has received 17,930 reviews of which 13,454 were positive and 4,476 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.4 out of 10. 😊
The game is currently priced at 12.99€ on Steam.
The Steam community has classified FINAL FANTASY® XIII into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
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System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *: Windows® XP SP2 or later
- Processor: 2GHz Dual Core CPU
- Memory: 1 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA® Geforce® 8 Series/ ATI Radeon™ HD 2000 series VRAM 256MB or later
- DirectX: Version 9.0c
- Storage: 60 GB available space
- Sound Card: Sound card compatible with DirectX® 9.0c
- Additional Notes:
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
Final Fantasy XIII, released in 2009, remains a divisive entry in the long-running RPG franchise. Its unique battle system, compelling characters, and visually stunning world are often praised, while its linear structure, convoluted plot, and initially frustrating gameplay mechanics are frequently criticized. What Works: Paradigm Shift Battle System: The game's innovative battle system, built around the concept of switching between different character roles (roles such as Ravager, Medic, or Sentinel) on the fly, is both strategic and action-packed. Mastering this system is key to success. Compelling Characters: The cast, though initially somewhat stereotypical, develops depth and complexity as the story progresses. The relationships between Lightning, Snow, Fang, and Sazh are particularly well-developed and emotionally resonant. Stunning Visuals: Even by today's standards, the game's visuals are impressive, showcasing a beautiful and varied world, from the lush landscapes of Cocoon to the desolate wastes of Gran Pulse. Intriguing Mythology: The game's lore, encompassing the fal'Cie, l'Cie, and the conflict between Cocoon and Pulse, is rich and complex, though it can be challenging to fully grasp. What Doesn't Work: Linear Structure: The game's highly linear structure, especially in the early stages, can feel restrictive and limiting. Players have little freedom to explore the world or deviate from the main storyline. Convoluted Plot: The story is notoriously complex and convoluted, often relying on exposition dumps and cryptic dialogue to convey information. Understanding the plot requires close attention and a willingness to piece together fragmented narrative elements. Initial Gameplay Frustration: The initial hours of gameplay can be frustrating for some players due to the restrictive nature of the linear progression and the steep learning curve of the battle system. Overall: Final Fantasy XIII is a game of contrasts. Its innovative battle system and compelling characters are balanced by a linear structure and a convoluted plot. Whether you enjoy the game will likely depend on your tolerance for these flaws. Those who can appreciate the unique aspects of the game's design will find a rewarding experience, while others may find it frustrating and ultimately unsatisfying. It's a game that sparks strong opinions, and its legacy continues to be debated among fans.
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When FINAL FANTASY XIII was released, it marked a significant moment in the franchise’s evolution—a visually stunning, narratively ambitious, yet divisive entry that dared to defy expectations. Over a decade later, it's still a game that polarizes fans, and for good reason. Let’s get this out of the way first: FFXIII is gorgeous. Even by modern standards, its crisp visuals, cinematic direction, and intricate character models hold up remarkably well. Each environment—from the sterile beauty of Cocoon to the wild expanses of Gran Pulse—feels artistically deliberate. The soundtrack, composed by Masashi Hamauzu, is one of the game’s strongest elements. Tracks like “Blinded by Light” and “The Sunleth Waterscape” elevate the experience and give emotional heft to the unfolding drama. The Paradigm Shift system is the beating heart of FFXIII’s gameplay. On the surface, it may feel too automated—your characters attack on their own, and you mostly toggle between roles—but underneath lies a strategic layer that rewards timing, synergy, and adaptability. The system shines brightest in its boss fights, which can be tense, exhilarating battles of endurance and precision. However, the decision to withhold full party control until many hours into the game is a baffling one. It robs players of tactical flexibility early on and makes the experience feel overly guided. FFXIII follows a group of unlikely heroes bound by fate, trying to escape a destiny imposed by god-like beings called fal’Cie. It’s a story brimming with lore, personal sacrifice, and existential questions—but much of it is buried under dense terminology and inconsistent pacing. While the datalog helps clarify the world’s complex systems, players often feel like they’re learning about the story after it happens, rather than experiencing it. That said, the characters—especially Lightning, Sazh, and Fang—have standout arcs that develop in compelling ways. Lightning’s stoicism, Sazh’s tragic motivations, and Fang’s fierce loyalty add emotional depth that gives the journey weight, even when the plot veers into the abstract. The most common complaint against FFXIII is its linearity—and it’s justified. For nearly 20 hours, the game funnels players down narrow corridors with little exploration, side content, or agency. While the latter chapters open up significantly, the damage is already done for some. There’s a narrative justification for this structure, but it clashes with the series' legacy of open-world exploration and side quests. FINAL FANTASY XIII is an ambitious and often misunderstood title. It’s not the traditional Final Fantasy experience, and it makes some bold, even frustrating design choices. But it also offers one of the most stylish combat systems in the series, unforgettable visuals, and a hauntingly beautiful score. It's not for everyone—but for those willing to embrace its quirks and dive deep into its world, there’s a rewarding (if uneven) journey waiting. Rating: 7/10
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Some people might say this game is too linear, but the game really opens up once you're about 50 hours in.
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So this is one of the so-called “black sheep” of the Final Fantasy series—well, at least that’s what FF fans want you to believe. I don’t really have a horse in this race since this is only my third (or fourth, if you count FFVII and FFVII Remake as separate games) FF game I’ve played. But after deeply enjoying FFXVI and seeing its controversial reputation in the community, it’s interesting to see people try to define what a "true Final Fantasy” game is, because I feel like it's a franchise that has reinvented itself on multiple occasions. There are some common threads, of course, but the gameplay, plot style, and overall approach always seem to morph. I've seen people criticize the game's linearity, but honestly, I was completely fine with it. Linearity doesn’t equal bad, just like nonlinearity doesn’t automatically mean good. I also really liked that the game focused more on the characters—on their relationships, their struggles, the way they were shaped by the world closing in around them. And that party dynamic? I loved it! A group of people thrown together by circumstance, slowly learning about each other and softening in unexpected ways. Lightning, especially—watching her shift from isolation to connection and slowly revealing layers of vulnerability along the way—was one of the most rewarding aspects of the game. And speaking of Lightning, I could gush about her for hours. When the game was released, I remember how many girls instantly adored her. The cosplays, the admiration—she was the moment. A female lead in a JRPG—an adult woman, no less. Stoic, composed, strong, captivating, effortlessly cool, and neither oversexualized nor reduced to cheap waifu bait. That kind of female protagonist is rare in JRPGs, and it’s truly disappointing that they are. Another aspect I deeply enjoyed was the music score, with one song in particular leaving a lasting impression. When I finally arrived in Oerba, the melody that played felt like a mournful whisper of Fang and Vanille’s sorrow, weaving their tragedy into every note. It honestly gave me chills. And these are the kinds of moments I cherish most in story-driven games, when music transcends words and breathes life into the emotions of the story. But for all the things FFXIII did right, it’s hard not to wish it had come out a decade later. It would’ve benefited so much from the franchise’s continued evolution, especially when it comes to combat. I cannot believe how long this game makes you play before combat becomes anything more than pressing one button. And there's so much combat before it finally opens up. Hours upon hours of walking down narrow corridors, triggering automated battles, and watching cutscenes. It’s slow. Agonizingly slow. The pacing just drags, and it didn’t need to. The combat system itself feels awkward, like it was trying to evolve but wasn’t quite ready to let go of its turn-based roots. It ends up in this weird middle ground—stuck between old and new—where battles feel more repetitive than engaging. And that’s the real problem. The combat is utterly boring. And oh my god, but why the hell does the game turn into such a grindfest once you reach Gran Pulse in Chapter 11? The sudden difficulty spikes are incredibly frustrating. Forcing me to grind through this slow, repetitive combat was completely unnecessary and only made me dislike the gameplay even more. It didn’t add challenge—it just padded the game with tedious busywork. If I hadn’t been so invested in Lightning and the unfolding story, I might’ve quit right then and there. But overall, I'm glad I finally got in the mood to play FFXIII, and honestly, I’m happy that it was popular enough to become a full trilogy. For all its flaws, it clearly struck a chord with people. And despite my issues with the combat, I’m cautiously excited to play through the rest of the trilogy. But it’s disappointing that the combat held back what could have been an otherwise great experience. I really hope future entries build on FFXVI’s combat and push it even further.
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Game Summary and Opinion Ignore the "time played"; I've poured well over a 100 hours into FF13 where I can confidently (and controversially) say it's one of my favourite Final Fantasy games. If anything, FF13 is a victim of mistaken identity similar to DmC: Devil May Cry (2013) where it uses a well established IP instead of being a new series of its own; therefore being unfairly judged and criticized because of it. While radically different from other FF games, it's still a thoroughly enjoyable experience that has aged extremely well, better than most FF games I dare say. PC Port and Performance NOW , as for the PC Port itself...ooooh boy...this is a mixed bag if there ever was one so this is more of a "buyer beware" than anything. I do technically recommend this version with a big fat caveat ; that being that this particular port all but requires you to mod and patch the game for an enjoyable experience as the vanilla port is questionable to say the least. It's not unplayable by any means but to say it's less than ideal is putting it mildly as it's even worse than the Xbox 360 port. That being said, once FF13 is properly patched and modded, it quite transformative and suddenly becomes the DEFINITIVE version of the game and it's not even close. It's not perfect by any means as you are still going to experience the occasional framerate hitches but considering that FF13 ran at 30fps on the 7th gen consoles and was lucky to even achieve that, it's still one hell of an upgrade over the alternative. The mods themselves (see mod guide at the bottom) aren't necessarily mods per-se as they don't alter or modify the game but are rather mandatory vanilla enhancements and features that Square Enix SHOULD have implemented from the get-go. FF13 has never looked and played any better than this but ONLY if you patch and mod it. In conclusion; the PC Port of FF13 is both the WORST and BEST version of the game depending on whether or not you put in the time and effort to mod and patch it which may or may not be a deal breaker. If you do plan on purchasing FF13, then it is HIGHLY recommended, if not essential that you mod and patch the game. For reference, this is how I rank the port from best to worst; [*]PC Port (Patched & Modded) [*]PS3 version (FF13 was specifically made for the PS3 and was originally suppose to be a PS3 exclusive until Square Enix decided at the last minute to port the game to the Xbox 360 prior to launch) [*]Xbox 360 version (This version technically doesn't have anything wrong with it. Hell, it's the version I played back in the day, it's just inferior to the PS3 version; particular with things like resolution and sound quality.) [*]Vanilla PC Port (This version is just a port of the Xbox 360 version) Mod List/Guide Upscaled Cutscenes [*][url=https://www.nexusmods.com/finalfantasy13/mods/24] 4K/60FPS FMV [*][url=https://www.nexusmods.com/finalfantasy13/mods/18] 1080p FMV NOTE : If you are to replace the FMV's; whether it's the native 1080p or 4K Upscales, BE SURE TO CLEAR UP A GOOD CHUNK OF HARD DRIVE SPACE! These files are absolutely massive in size with the 4K upscales in partiuclar being roughly 20GB...each. Visuals & Graphics [*][url=https://www.nexusmods.com/finalfantasy13/mods/17] The FF13 HD Project [*][url=https://www.nexusmods.com/finalfantasy13/mods/11] HD Models Plus [*][url=https://www.nexusmods.com/finalfantasy13/mods/15] Clean ReShade Utilities, Patches & Executables [*][url=https://github.com/rebtd7/FF13Fix/releases] FF13FIX [*][url=https://www.nexusmods.com/finalfantasy13/mods/25] FF13FIX-4GB Patch Installer [*][url=https://www.nexusmods.com/finalfantasy13/mods/6] FF13 Series Launcher Gameplay Tweaks, Difficulty & Rebalancing (Optional) [*][url=https://www.nexusmods.com/finalfantasy13/mods/5] Gameplay Tweaks & Hard Mode [*][url=https://www.nexusmods.com/finalfantasy13/mods/2] Crystarium Editing
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Frequently Asked Questions
FINAL FANTASY® XIII is currently priced at 12.99€ on Steam.
FINAL FANTASY® XIII is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 12.99€ on Steam.
FINAL FANTASY® XIII received 13,454 positive votes out of a total of 17,930 achieving a rating of 7.37.
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FINAL FANTASY® XIII was developed and published by Square Enix.
FINAL FANTASY® XIII is playable and fully supported on Windows.
FINAL FANTASY® XIII is not playable on MacOS.
FINAL FANTASY® XIII is not playable on Linux.
FINAL FANTASY® XIII is a single-player game.
There are 2 DLCs available for FINAL FANTASY® XIII. Explore additional content available for FINAL FANTASY® XIII on Steam.
FINAL FANTASY® XIII does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
FINAL FANTASY® XIII supports Remote Play on Phone and Remote Play on Tablet. Discover more about Steam Remote Play.
FINAL FANTASY® XIII is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
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Last Updates| Steam data | 22 July 2025 06:07 |
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| SteamSpy data | 30 July 2025 13:04 |
| Steam price | 31 July 2025 04:44 |
| Steam reviews | 31 July 2025 04:09 |
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Game modes
Features
Online players
360
Developer
Square Enix
Publisher
Square Enix
Release
09 Oct 2014
Platforms
Remote Play