I've been told, numerous times, that 13 is good. I've been told, numerous times, blatant lies. I can overlook the "corridor" complaints, I find them lacking in substance. What I can't overlook are bland environment, boring summons, and characters that feel like wattpad OCs. Fang and Vanille are highlights, but not enough to rehabilitate the utter misery that is 13. I've noticed 13 fans tend to be Kingdom Hearts fans, and I've noticed Kingdom Hearts fans struggle. Not with anything in particular, just that life seems to be hard on them. I'm drawing a line and saying this is all linked.
No I don't care that 13-2 is better. I don't care. Don't ask me to invest 50 hours into something before it gets good. I wouldn't read a bad book for 50 hours.

The combat is good, and I think the music is criminally underrated. A fact that is highlighted from how much of the 13 staff worked on rebirth, and how all those elements sing in rebirth.
13 is a bit of a misery though, and anyone trying to defend it I'm convinced is just huffing nuclear grade copium to make the time investment feel worthy.

Editors note: this is the revised and toned down version of this review. I'm a day 1 hater.