January 28, 2012 - Good - It's an encouraging step in the right direction; if nothing else, it at least demonstrates that Square Enix is open to other studios being involved in the production of its tentpole franchise and realize they can't expect to sell on name alone. Final Fantasy is sporting the clothes and attitude of its cooler peers; now it just needs to learn to wear them with confidence.

February 6, 2012 - Good - The greatest benefit is that this outing feels much less linear than its predecessor-players are invited to back away from brick-wall bosses and explore the timeline, gaining strength, gearing up, and chasing new quests at will. The freedom is appreciated.

January 28, 2012 - Good - By listening to the fans' complaints and addressing the grave mistakes of the last game, Square Enix have succeeded in crafting a significantly better title than Final Fantasy XIII offered in 2010. But the design-by committee process has still fallen well short of recapturing the highs of the PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2 games, relegating XIII-2 to the status of one of the core series' less memorable entries.

January 28, 2012 - Good - Maybe this game tries to do a bit too much, and it's probably too late to dig this story out of the hole that it's in, but it was made with a heaping dollop of that undeniable charm that we loved in the older series games, and that goes a long way towards making it enjoyable.

January 28, 2012 - Good - For Final Fantasy XIII-2, Square Enix set out to correct the issues fans had with the first game, and they have succeeded across the board. With improvements to combat, exploration, and storytelling, it feels like this is the game that XIII should have been. But it isn't just a sequel, as it carves out its own tale to stand among the Final Fantasy pantheon.

January 28, 2012 - Good - Progression is player-driven, combat is even more entertaining, and an array of other adjustments makes it one of my favorite RPGs from a mechanical perspective. I just want all of that integrated with a story that isn't laughable and borderline insulting, and that's where Final Fantasy XIII-2 falters.

February 8, 2012 - Good - It's true that if Final Fantasy XIII was two steps back for the series, then XIII-2 is one step forward. There is much to appreciate in this sequel: with more than 35 hours of gameplay in the main quest arc alone, with multiple endings to discover and with many collectables to complete, there's no shortage of playtime.

January 28, 2012 - Good - You won't perform awe-inspiring summons as a matter of course, and the ending--well, the ending isn't likely to leave you with the sense of closure you might want. Yet the monster collection and time-hopping freedom alone are enough to make it worth embarking on this enjoyable adventure.

January 30, 2012 - Good - If XIII was making a case for the quickest route from A to B being a straight line, XIII-2 instead argues that a time gate directly to your destination is both more practical and more interesting. We're inclined to agree.

January 28, 2012 - Good - Unequivocally better than the original in almost every single way, XIII-2 presents a rehabilitated spin on one of the most polarizing Square-Enix releases in recent years, as well as a promising way forward for the franchise. It may not be enough to undo what's already been done, but for what it's worth, XIII-2 may just change your mind about the future.

January 27, 2012 - Good - Final Fantasy XIII-2 proves itself the better game, but it lacks the same focused storytelling employed in the original. It benefits from an improved battle system, open environments, and an overall level of polish that deserves a nod of respect.

January 28, 2012 - Good - While Final Fantasy XIII-2 doesn't exactly have the greatest story - or, indeed, the greatest grasp of good storytelling - it's hard to fault the actual gameplay, which stands in stark contrast to its predecessor.

January 27, 2012 - Good - Not the vastly different experience we might have expected, but no less welcome as a result. XIII-2 comes recommended for those who didn't get enough from the last game - those who were unconvinced are going to remain just that.