Final Fantasy III vs Final Fantasy XIII-2
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Final Fantasy III delivers a timeless role‑playing experience, featuring a robust job system that lets players customize their party's abilities. The story follows four heroes on a quest to restore balance to a world threatened by darkness. The 2006 remake enhances the original with vibrant graphics, refined turn‑based combat, and expanded side quests, offering both nostalgic fans and new players an engaging adventure across an open world.
Final Fantasy XIII‑2 continues the saga of Lightning and Serah as they journey through fractured timelines to prevent the collapse of reality. The game blends strategic turn‑based combat with a richly detailed world that spans futuristic cities and mythic realms. Players experience a deep narrative that intertwines science‑fiction concepts with classic fantasy motifs, offering branching story paths and multiple endings that reflect their choices.
- Rich job system with extensive customization
- Engaging turn‑based combat
- Beautiful retro‑style visuals
- High replay value with multiple endings
- Engaging time‑travel narrative
- Deep combat customization
- Stunning visual and audio presentation
- High replay value with multiple endings
- Occasional pacing issues in early chapters
- Limited multiplayer features
- Some side quests feel repetitive
- Occasional pacing issues in early chapters
- Some side content can feel repetitive
- Limited multiplayer options (single‑player only)
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Final Fantasy III
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A classic fantasy RPG adventure with memorable characters and a timeless story.
Alternatives to Final Fantasy XIII-2
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A breathtaking RPG adventure with fast-paced combat and a deep, emotional story.
A classic fantasy RPG adventure with memorable characters and a timeless story.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataFinal Fantasy XIII-2 is the safer default for players seeking a higher-rated, story-driven RPG with modern presentation, traded off against Final Fantasy III's lower price and classic pixel art style.
Key differences
- •Final Fantasy XIII-2 costs $59.99 with a 75/100 critic score, whereas Final Fantasy III costs $19.99 with a 64/100 critic score.
- •Final Fantasy XIII-2 features a time-bending adventure with high-definition cutscenes and a fully voiced cast, while Final Fantasy III uses hand-drawn pixel art graphics.
- •Final Fantasy XIII-2 uses the Paradigm Shift system and time manipulation, whereas Final Fantasy III utilizes a versatile job system and turn-based combat with elemental weaknesses.
- •Final Fantasy III includes multiplayer features alongside single player, while Final Fantasy XIII-2 is strictly single player.
- •Final Fantasy XIII-2 was released in December 2011 by Square Enix 1st Production Department, whereas Final Fantasy III was released in August 2006 by Matrix Software.
Gameplay & fun factor
Final Fantasy XIII-2 features time manipulation and the Paradigm Shift system, earning a higher critic score of 75/100 compared to III's 64/100.
Platform availability
Not specified in the provided facts.
Price & value
Final Fantasy III costs $19.99, which is significantly cheaper than Final Fantasy XIII-2's MSRP of $59.99.
Multiplayer / co-op
Final Fantasy III includes multiplayer features in addition to single player, whereas Final Fantasy XIII-2 is strictly single player.
Content & replayability
Both games offer multiple endings, optional side quests, and high replay value with similar pacing issues and repetitive side content.
Difficulty & accessibility
Final Fantasy III has an ESRB rating of E10+ and PEGI 12, making it accessible to younger players than XIII-2's ESRB T and PEGI 16 rating.
Graphics & performance
Final Fantasy XIII-2 features high-definition cutscenes and a fully voiced cast, while Final Fantasy III uses hand-drawn pixel art graphics.
Choose Final Fantasy III if…
Budget-conscious players looking for a classic retro-style experience with a versatile job system and multiplayer features.
Choose Final Fantasy XIII-2 if…
Players wanting a higher-rated narrative RPG with modern high-definition cutscenes and a fully voiced cast.
Common questions
How do the prices of the two games compare?
Final Fantasy XIII-2 has an MSRP of $59.99, while Final Fantasy III is priced at $19.99.
Can I play either game with friends in multiplayer?
Final Fantasy III includes multiplayer features alongside single player, whereas Final Fantasy XIII-2 is single player only.
Which game received better critic reviews?
Final Fantasy XIII-2 has a higher critic score of 75/100, compared to Final Fantasy III's score of 64/100.