The second game in the Final Fantasy XIII trilogy. A massive departure from the first game in terms of level design - every area is now much more open and feels less claustrophobic. The story can be a bit odd at points due to its time-travel nature, but it is overall solid enough.

Serah and Noel are a great duo throughout the story. Bolstering your third party slot are a slew of monsters you can collect Pokemon style. The same stellar Paradigm system is present for combat, as well as stunning visuals and a killer soundtrack.

The PC port is a bit of a wreck and can be a real deterrent to experiencing this game. Most issues can be corrected with fan-made mods, though it is a shame to see Square drop the ball with this port. The DLC additions, such as fighting past Final Fantasy bosses in an arena, are unquestionably cool.

If you had issues with the first game, but were still interested in the world/gameplay, give Final Fantasy XIII-2 a shot. It may be a sequel, but it certainly stands on its own.

100%: You'll be spending a decent amount of time trekking through all the different locations to get all of the Paradox endings. Not as much time is spent mindlessly grinding currency in this game compared to its predecessor.