In truth, Final Fantasy XIII isn't as horrible as people make it out to be. Yes, it's a huge step back from the glory days but if you can overlook the linearity of the game, there's still a lot to enjoy... like taking the mickey out of the characters whenever they do or say something stupid - which is all the time. Final Fantasy XIII is a story about six people fighting against fate; trying to prevent a future which will be pre-determined by their actions. That's a noble cause but it's a shame that our six heroes aren't very heroic at all. Lightning is your typical Final Fantasy protagonist; sullen, brooding and "deep"; Hope spends the vast majority of the game wishing the ground would swallow him up; Snow is the typical "thug with a soft center"; Sazh is probably the most driven of all but makes stupid decisions constantly; and the only real interesting thing about Vanille and Fang is that everybody online seems convinced that they're lesbian lovers. It's a touch harsh to characterise our heroes by their flaws but, truthfully, there's not much else to work with. Hope is the pick of the bunch; he's thoroughly unlikable and spends most of the time curled up in the fetal position (not literally but he might as well be), wishing things could go back to the way they were. Apparently his name was ironic, because he's the most hopeless person around. There's a level of maturation and development to his character within the story but it comes far too late; sadly, we've lost interest. If Final Fantasy XIII robbed you of any hope for the series, XIII-2 and Lightning Returns may help restore your faith a little, mainly because they tell a far better story which isn't interrupted constantly by stupidity. XIII isn't as bad as everybody says... but its protagonists definitely are.
I have an addiction to achievements, a craving for new bands and a dream to become Captain America. I once finished second in a Mario Kart 7 tournament so I'm kind of a big deal.