Final Fantasy XIII Game Poster Image

Final Fantasy XIII

age 13+
(i)

 

Gorgeous fantasy RPG with combat & some suggestive scenes.
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What parents need to know

Positive messages

The game features a "party" or group of peaceful people under attack by a malevolent force. While bloodless combat is used to win the game, you are the "good guys" who must defend yourselves against the threat.

Positive role models

In Final Fantasy XIII, you play as peaceful, loving people who must fight back against  the hostile fal'Cie and protect your world. So, on that level, you're playing as decent role models, but you are using violence to ward them off. Also, while most charcters with appear to be Caucasian, there are also black and Asian friends, too.

Ease of play

While the developers changed the battle mechanic in this game somewhat, those who've played a Final Fantasy game before should have no trouble picking up the controls in this game. Newcomers, however, will have lots of time to master the controls before tougher battles.

Violence

Combat, which is played out primarily in turn-based battles, makes up the bulk of the gameplay in this game. But the fighting is quite mild, there is no blood or gore, and many of the skirmishes you get into are against fantastical, evil creatures. You can also summon elementals to do your battling for you. Some of the game's cinematic sequences depict violence, including humans as the victims.

Sex

The game has some mild sexual imagery, including female holographic dancers who move seductively and wear little clothing (bra-like top, but with pants). There is also a cutscene sequence with a statue turning someone back into a naked girl (but nothing graphic is scene). Some of the women in the game reveal a lot of cleavage.

Language

The game has some mild profanity, but it's not heard very often. This includes words such as "damn," "hell," and "ass."

Consumerism
Not applicable
Drinking, drugs, & smoking
Not applicable

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Final Fantasy XIII is Teen-rated, mostly because the gameplay is combat-heavy. Your party of characters will square off against enemies and engage in a turn-based fights, but with the ability to make some decisions during the battle. There is no blood or gore and most of the enemies are nasty creatures. You are also defending your homeworld and way of life instead of aggressively attacking enemies for no reason. The game has some scantily clad female characters and an occasional suggestive scenes (such as a holographic dancer). There is also some mild cussing in the game, too.

What's it about?

If you can get past the irony of a thirteenth \"Final Fantasy\" game -- not to mention dozens of offshoots over the years -- Square Enix's latest cinematic epic is ready for action. Available on both high-definition consoles at launch (for the first time), FINAL FANTASY XIII focuses heavily on a moon called Cocoon, once a floating utopia, but now a target of the hostile fal'Cie from the seedy lowerworld. The combat-heavy mechanics should be familiar to fans of past games, though new features have been added including the ability to execute numerous commands in a single turn, the summoning of creatures (called Eidolons), and support for a specialized party of fighters (commando, medic, and so on).

Is it any good?

QUALITY

Yes, especially for longtime fans of the series. Final Fantasy XIII once again brings together the talents of producer Kitase Yoshinori, director Motomu Toriyama, character designer Tetsuya Nomura, and art director Isamu Kamikokuryo, to deliver a stunningly deep and breathtakingly beautiful role-playing game that plays out more like an interactive movie -- complete with orchestrated soundtrack and the theme song "My Hands" by Leona Lewis. The modified turn-based battle mechanic should also please veterans as it provides more freedom and tactical options during gameplay.

The game, however, is quite linear, which might disappoint those looking to roam in this gorgeous fantasy world. But this ambitious single-player adventure features an interweaving storyline, new characters, and tweaked battle mechanics that should excite and delight  Final Fantasy enthusiasts and RPG fans alike.

Platform Note: Both versions of the game play and look the same.

Families can talk about...

  • Families can talk about whether they like a game with so many non-interactive sequences. As with many other Final Fantasy games, do you like all the mini-movies designed to help push the story along or would you rather play without the cutscenes that break up the action? What do you prefer? Or did the developers do a decent job balancing the two?

Game details

Platforms:PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Price:$59.99
Available online?Not available online
Developer:Square Enix
Release date:March 9, 2010
Genre:Role Playing
ESRB rating:T for Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence

This review of Final Fantasy XIII was written by

Marc Saltzman
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Kid, 11 years old December 11, 2010
age 11+
it has profenty like he-l da-n and a-s
What other families should know
Too much violence
Too much swearing
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Parent Written bysherlock1701 November 19, 2014
age 8+
This often-underrated game is a good choice for most ages. In spite of the combat-centric gameplay, it's blood-free, and the language is pretty mild. The story is enjoyable, with good characters and profound lessons that can positively influence young and old alike. Top it off with beautiful graphics and an amazing soundtrack, and a simple but nuanced control system (some complain it's too simple: the fact is that the controls are designed to be as simple or complex as your individual approach to gameplay, melding to the user's preferences). A few thematic elements and disturbing creatures are perhaps the biggest concerns, but if you let your kids play Zelda or the more recent Mario games, there's no reason they can't play this.
What other families should know
Great messages
Great role models
Easy to play/use
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Parent of a 9 year old Written byShizuko November 26, 2013
age 3+

Final Fantasy XIII

My only main problem with Final Fantasy XIII may just be that younger children may find it incredible difficult to follow and the characters chemistry and relations throughout their Journey, Others may simply find it too difficult or slow paced for their liking. Final Fantasy XIII yes is combat heavy but it does not dwell on violence or detail in anyway and defeated enemies simply disappear off the battle ring, Cut scenes feature some suggestive acts implied within the games dialog but is nothing more than brief talk. Final Fantasy XIII is nothing to worry about your Children playing it may just appeal to a little slow for their liking. Rated –G… Mild Fantasy Violence and Themes
What other families should know
Great messages
Great role models
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