It’s been a year since our first episode, but the internet’s biggest retrospective series, Backtrack, is back! And this week: we’re deep-diving on Final Fantasy XIII. In a summer where Baldur’s Gate 3 and other bigger releases are happening: why are we talking about one of the most divisive Final Fantasy entries, you ask? Because we had the itch for more Final Fantasy after FFXVI, and well, because we’re sick, of course. Released in North America in 2010 on the PS3 and Xbox, FFXIII split the fandom and had us asking pivotal questions: Why is it so linear? What the hell is a L’cie? What accent is Vanille using? Is this the death nail for Square? It’s a confusing and fascinating game of terrible lows, bad story beats and character work, but it also holds many things worth praising: cutting edge graphics, the music, and new turn-based combat elements with the stagger and Paradigm systems. (We’re a big fan of gameplay here at the Save Room and the Paradigm system had its hooks in us). The game spawned two sequels and the stagger-based combat system has been a franchise staple since so even with the negativity around it, it’s impact has been lasting. While it’s nowhere near our favorite entry we still find a lot to love and talk about and made it our focus to subject you, the listener, to it. Enjoy!