As someone who enjoyed 13 and 13-2, I was undoubtedly excited for LR but now that I've played it for around 4 hours, it has become one of most annoying RPGs I've ever played. The series took a turn from being linear to non-linear but the problem with LR is that it is too non-linear. The game employs a time/day situation similar to Majora's mask (i.e. the clock is constantly turning). Sometimes the game makes you wait a whole day before the main story can progress and in that time, all you will be thinking about is 'what do I do now' as you are already told that you have only a maximum of 13 days (if you do enough side missions). At this point, you become focused on completing side quests so that your 'day' doesn't feel wasted. Well I can say one thing though, the whole day IRL felt like a waste to me by playing this.

The whole concept feels stressful for an RPG. The game also has no levelling system and purely focuses on the costumes that Lightning wears. In addition to that, you don't automatically get moves like Guard or even Attack with the different costumes. To get these moves, you have to fight countless enemies and just hope that your luck pays off. Seriously, the moves Fire and Blizzard are rare enemy drops. You do however have these points called 'Eridiam points'(EP) which you can use to stop time for a while or to buy items but the problem with that is that it can take a very long time to replenish EPs (usually through battling).

If I was to honestly give Lightning Returns a score out of 10, it would be a 6 (and that's being generous). [Edit: This is subject to change as I progress through the game]

tl;dr: Based on first impressions, don't  bother with the game! The time mechanic makes it feel like a chore rather than a game. I'll write a full review after finishing the game.

Edit: I'll be playing through to completion and will be working towards getting a platinum as I am a completionist. I'll create a review thread then detailing what I felt about the game overall. I hope it grows on me...

At least BoF isn't completely non-linear. LR just takes the cake. You can run around and not progress anywhere in LR lol

Time Limit didn't bother me in Atelier Ayesha, it was actually pretty good, it forced new game + and I actually enjoyed that.

Oh Square... How low have you become... I really hope FFXV is the console FF game we all want cause I am getting tired of all their F-ing around... I really don't understand what is with the developers these days, SE was once the King of Jrpgs, the FF name meant that all you were going to get was Quality instead of terrible games like FFXIV (before the re-release) and FFXIII (Specially LR)...

Are the developers really in that love with how Lightning looks that they needed to make a whole game based around her in cosplays and majora's mask time concept rip-off? It almost seems like they are teenage boys that just found out how a vagina feels and they are all giggly and trying to make the most out of it (based on some of the articles I have been reading)

Just please, get the FF name where it once was. Good first impressions review though

Neither is the time limit in Dead Rising. It encourages replayability, considering once the time runs out, everything you are and have carries over New Game +.

I also have it and I disagree it's the best game in the 13 series.

Sounds interesting.

Thanks. Square definitely hit their lowest with this. I actually regret purchasing the steelbook edition of the game. I kept thinking 'maybe it'll get better'. Unfortunately, it never did :( Also as many reviewers have said, you won't get attached to a single character.

I think we are on the opposite sides of the table. Did you like it straight away or did it take some time getting into it?

What about Sazh?