Give the game a chance, it deserves

This game probably divides the spirits.
One always reads in ignorance only: time pressure, time pressure, time pressure, which deters course, while it is not so bad, is so often claimed as here. You have to try to get used to and to bring the element of time (and perhaps also the resulting time pressure) into play.

After about 2 hours you have at Lightning Returns the tutorial just completed. At the initial stage of the game to learn the saving element to cope with the ticking clock:

---> MAN (almost unlimited number of times) to stop time
This requires only enough EP. How do you get enough EP? By fighting. I can already hear the roar majority: but I do not want to constantly fight, just to have enough EP. That you do not have. There is always something more difficult opponents in the game that make you equal to 4 EP there. Ie only defeat an opponent of this and you have 4 EP full, so 4x stopping time by a single battle. The struggle is more difficult and takes longer to defeat as many weak opponents. That's enough to sometimes to pass through the world to do something without having to fight. But honestly, a FF without fighting? It runs constantly anyway voluntarily in the opponent, because it is fun to fight. So it should not come at the problem really that you have enough EP has not. Thus, you can, as often as you want stop the time. The factor eradication still does not matter here, you look into the game guide and the number of opponents to see (even by the opponents that appear early in the game) is that you will not deplete as quickly. An eradication at day 1 or 2 in my opinion is impossible when you play normally. Oh, and you win with the time EP to capacity. At first you have only 5 EP slots that changes in the course.

It is impossible to view Luxerion on Day 1, but that is not intended. There are not collecting enough opponents to EP. But that's not so bad. Because one is able to return at a later time. I personally have my Luxerion only on Day 3 properly looked at and explored everything.

From day 2 the theme of time actually was no longer an issue with me. The principle was understood. I've only played more than 6 real hours Day 2. I did it exactly as described: stopping time, available to only 1 EP and done everything I wanted to fight, the main mission, solving side quests, treasure spheres looking to talk to people, look around. In EP 1 I've wanted one of the major opponents, flattened, the cashed and gone ahead 4 EP. That does not bother in the least as much as it sounds. Most of the time I already had all the EP, since I love to fight and had to arrive in the new combat system also first. Only dull xxx-press, you can forget here.

Are you the game again about 4-5 hours to finally correct it. The time factor is even more interesting, we need a little planning is time to write something here and there (you know actually from most parts FF). There are opening times: there are some in the map; you can write notes to himself in the map, including the opening times and it's an interesting aspect of the game: do not forget, you need to time X still there and then, otherwise the chance is wasted. One can like it or not, but that is in many RPGs to me is fun. Included are, is not possible because there are ladders, bring in a the large area back. One can not be trapped in small areas on Day 1, even if you have not yet unlocked teleportation.

I would those who have put away the game after a few hours, put your heart, it may again insert and the function time stopping, fight in combination with opponents who give much EP to exploit and so to have enough time to savor the game. That goes without problems. Over and over again presses the stop time button. Uses them constantly and the major shortcoming time pressure that here over and over again (wrongly, in my opinion) discourages some from enjoying will be no more.

How many big games last year, the game is designed for at least two passes. You will not see it all, do not get anything, can not do anything on the first pass (especially not without guide). It is also advisable to "easy" to begin. One should even play the game more often, to see everything, to make and experience; is missing something, that's not bad, because the next passage or not to bring it to - but one is then stronger and retains its Stats. You can then play the "normal" or even "hard" again in the next run. In my opinion, is the level "normal" even for an experienced RPG players a challenge if he plays this game for the first time and can bring a fast to the frustration tolerance.

The combat system here makes me especially great fun. I must admit I was very skeptical at the beginning. In principle, the various styles costumes are therefore now the paradigms can be 4 combat / magic / - forgive or block functions on the keys, but watch out: It is absolutely not possible with permanent Getting By x-Press. Similarly, opponents are just at the beginning almost invincible when you use the wrong one attack or magic. I initially had no fire magic and have the enemies who just go with fire down shunned. It is in this game, again a corner more important to study the costumes, accessories and attacks and to combine. Even more important is the correct assignment of attacks on costumes and key assignments. It has endless possibilities and needs a couple of hours (at least I) until you come to terms and understand the behavior of Lightning. At first I was there already my problems, but how this is with most things in life: practice makes perfect and no pain no price.

Criticism of the graphics I understand, but I can not share fully. The pixels were flowers in close-up a bit frightening. For me personally, but no matter. The pixel flowers no longer fall on me. That was the only thing I remembered was frightening, the rest is managed for me, as well as in all other parts of FF also (to date of course). I grew up with Tetris, I can probably satisfy very quickly. I know that there are dealing with one of the last games for the PS3 that the programmer already programmed with a half hands PS4 games, is understandable for me. For me personally, but does not the graphics of a good game, the debate, I have never understood. The video sequences are top, absolute eye candy.

The music I find terrific. But I liked the soundtrack of FF13 and FF13-2 also very. Known melodies are back but a few new nice pieces to match the new places have been created and me since beginning of the game in the ear. Who liked the music of the first two games, which they will surely like.

One of the most important aspect of a game is of course the story. I was tied up the story of the predecessor and I like most of the characters very. I do not want to spoil too much, the story is even discover each alone for himself and since there is no single approach that everyone will do differently for themselves. I find that it has retained the story line in this part. Most exciting of course is the new character was introduced. We know the beginning is not quite sure what she has before. I was very inspired person to drive the main missions.

The strategy guide will help me personally. One must here, as for the game, take a few moments. Because you can start the main missions and side missions almost whim and continue, it proposes a one of many solutions to before. But that would be a separate review worth to continue the.

The game has great potential if you let it. But can convince no RPG in the world, nor Lightning Returns in a handful of hours of play. Someone who has played the game more than a few hours or even played out, has understood the time stopping and exhausted and at the end still says: Man, that was however disappointing! has certainly brought out the maximum for themselves and do not like it then. Justified can then a star will not be.

I hope this review will help both those who want to pick up the game, as well as those who already hate the game now and have thrown against the wall. You can let you time and play the game alone, it is not nearly as bad as it first appears. All others who just do not like the game, from not want to give the proper chance here unspecified reasons and the game, which I wish a lot of fun playing from FFX / -2 HD release, it's thankfully not as long.

For me Lightning Returns is certainly a fitting successor to the series. It is great fun, once you are about to see properly. Who FF13 and FF13-2 liked coming here not only story moderately in each case at its own expense. It exceeded my expectations.

*** NOTE ***

This review has been revised, because after some time a few aspects were added that I wanted to add. Moreover, I have tried to implement the constructive criticism to improve this review. I hope this I succeeded.