The Square Enix role-playing game Final Fantasy XIII is the thirteenth game in the Final Fantasy video game franchise, not counting spin-offs. Like previous installments, players fight enemies, cast magic and explore a fantasy world in order to save it. Final Fantasy XIII is the first game in the franchise to be released on multiple game consoles.

Final Fantasy XIII is part of a group of related Final Fantasy games called Fabula Nova Crystallis, which is slated to include the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 game Final Fantasy XIII-2, the PlayStation 3 game Final Fantasy Versus XIII and the PlayStation Portable Final Fantasy Type-0.c

In Final Fantasy XIII, powerful beings called the fal'Cie control the floating city of Cocoon and the lower world of Pulse. The fal'Cie also enlist humans to become servants called l'Cie, who receive tasks through vague visions that appear to them. If l'Cie complete their tasks, they turn into crystal statues. If they fail, they turn into monsters.c

The game follows six people who have all been marked l'Cie at the same time, and thus have the same task. Together, the six embark on an adventure to find out just exactly what that quest is.c

In Final Fantasy XIII, there are two modes of play. First, in Exploration mode, you travel through areas, talking to people and interact with objects like switches and treasure chests. Find Save Stations in most areas to save your game, buy items and upgrade weapons.

When near an enemy in Exploration mode, you can use items called Shrouds, which have various offensive and defensive effects when you go into battle. However, if you want to avoid enemies altogether, you can use Shrouds like Deceptisol.

When you encounter an enemy, you enter the game's Battle mode, where up to three characters take part in battle against the game's enemies. Fight by selecting commands, queueing them up so that your character performs multiple maneuvers at once.

PlayStation 3:

Left stick: Move character

Right Stick: Move camera

D-Pad: Select shroud

L1: Use shroud

X: Confirm selection/interact with object

Circle: Cancel

Square: View map

Triangle: Open the main menu

Start: Pause menu

Select: Toggle mini-map display

Xbox 360:

Left stick: Move character

Right Stick: Move camera

D-Pad: Select shroud

Left bumper: Use shroud

A: Confirm selection/interact with object

B: Cancel

X: Open map

Y: Open the main menu

Start: Pause menu

Back: Toggle mini-map display

PlayStation 3:

Left stick: Move character/Gestalt mode control (after summoning)

Right Stick: Move camera

D-Pad: Select target/command

L1: Use shroud

R1: View enemy intel

X: Execute command/confirm targe/stock action command

Circle: Cancel

Square: Activate gestalt mode (after summoning)

Triangle: Execute command queue

Start: Pause menu

Select: Retry (when in pause menu)

Xbox 360:

Left stick: Move character/Gestalt mode control (after summoning)

Right Stick: Move camera

D-Pad: Select target/command

Left bumper: Paradigm shift

Right Bumper: View enemy intel

A: Execute command/confirm targe/stock action command

B: Cancel

X: Activate gestalt mode (after summoning)

Y: Execute command queue

Start: Pause menu

Back: Retry (when in pause menu)