The PC Port is atrocious as of now. Not only did they not bother making localization files optional downloads (Steam supports selective downloading of localization files), and have you thus install 60 gigabytes (49gb download) onto your machine, but they also failed to provide any sort of graphical options beyond Windowed/Fullscreen modes. No VSync, no Anti-Aliasing. Additionally, the game's internal renderer is locked to 720p, and the game won't output anything but 720p. Fullscreen on an 1080p screen will thus either stretch/scale accordingly, or add black bars.
They have also failed to add audio options. There are no volume sliders at all.

On the Gameplay front, there's enough been said already. The game is excruciatingly linear, and chock-full of cutscenes. For comparison: If you played Final Fantasy X and considered it too linear due to the lack of global world map and directly connected areas, you'll hate XIII. It takes a good 15-20 hours of corridor walking to reach the point where it opens up a little bit. There is little to nothing to distract you from narrow corridors.

The combat system is shoving the Auto-Battle command down your throat right from the start. The command selects attacks and abilities based on dynamically calculated algorithms. Especially early on, where the characters are limited to one job, with one or two commands(!), the game turns into a simple "Press A to do stuff" simulator. The tactical element from previous Final Fantasy titles is almost completely lost as a result, as the game almost turns the player into a passive observer.

On top of this, the game attempts to "rate" the player's combat performance from 1 to 5 stars, based on how long it took them to win a battle. The rating affects the item drops, but even then a 5 star rating will not guarantee even common drops. I'd also like to point out that the target time, especially early on, is very generous, almost giving double the time you actually need to finish a battle with a 5 star rating.

Lastly, battles are completely isolated from one another. Where in previous FF titles you had to watch your HP carefully, and would take damage and negative status effects into the following battles, XIII instead heals the party to full health after a win. Wave-based engagements like seen in Final Fantasy X (most notably the tutorial section teaching you to pick targets wisely, or the Bevelle Marriage scene) do not stress you beyond the current, very short battle.

As for the story I will just say it is very, very convoluted and throws technobabble at the player for lack of better writing. The characters contradict each other and themselves at every turn, and make you shake your head in disbelief. At least the Japanese Audio will make their voices bearable, though.
Be prepared to read up on a lot of the game's terminology and background via the in-game Datalog to fully grasp the game's reasoning. Still, do not expect things to make complete sense.

Graphically, it still looks quite nice, with pretty effects being thrown around. The vast amount of pre-rendered cutscenes (18, if I count the game's video files) look gorgeous, even if the contents aren't making for a good story. If you enjoy eyecandy, you will get it, even though the resolution lock and lack of options are a big failure on Square Enix's part.

Overall, the pricetag reflects the game's quality. The mechanics and exploration are half-baked and too automated and controlled to satisfy an old franchise fan like me. The port is dreadful, and I would not recommend buying it until they at least offer a patch to add some basic settings for graphics and audio.

If you can't wait, though, please don't expect it to be up there with the franchise's gems and fan-favorites. It "innovated" on all the wrong areas, and neglected its core vision as well as the franchise's strongest point: Storytelling and Character Development. As such, XIII is a lukewarm JRPG at best, and a below-average corridor crawler at worst.

The PC Port is atrocious as of now. Not only did they not bother making localization files optional downloads (Steam supports selective downloading of localization files), and have you thus install 60 gigabytes (49gb download) onto your machine, but they also failed to provide any sort of graphical options beyond Windowed/Fullscreen modes. No VSync, no Anti-Aliasing. Additionally, the game's internal renderer is locked to 720p, and the game won't output anything but 720p. Fullscreen on an 1080p screen will thus either stretch/scale accordingly, or add black bars. They have also failed to add audio options. There are no volume sliders at all. On the Gameplay front, there's enough been said already. The game is excruciatingly linear, and chock-full of cutscenes. For comparison: If you played Final Fantasy X and considered it too linear due to the lack of global world map and directly connected areas, you'll hate XIII. It takes a good 15-20 hours of corridor walking to reach the point where it opens up a little bit. There is little to nothing to distract you from narrow corridors. The combat system is shoving the Auto-Battle command down your throat right from the start. The command selects attacks and abilities based on dynamically calculated algorithms. Especially early on, where the characters are limited to one job, with one or two commands(!), the game turns into a simple "Press A to do stuff" simulator. The tactical element from previous Final Fantasy titles is almost completely lost as a result, as the game almost turns the player into a passive observer. On top of this, the game attempts to "rate" the player's combat performance from 1 to 5 stars, based on how long it took them to win a battle. The rating affects the item drops, but even then a 5 star rating will not guarantee even common drops. I'd also like to point out that the target time, especially early on, is very generous, almost giving double the time you actually need to finish a battle with a 5 star rating. Lastly, battles are completely isolated from one another. Where in previous FF titles you had to watch your HP carefully, and would take damage and negative status effects into the following battles, XIII instead heals the party to full health after a win. Wave-based engagements like seen in Final Fantasy X (most notably the tutorial section teaching you to pick targets wisely, or the Bevelle Marriage scene) do not stress you beyond the current, very short battle. As for the story I will just say it is very, [i]very[/i] convoluted and throws technobabble at the player for lack of better writing. The characters contradict each other and themselves at every turn, and make you shake your head in disbelief. At least the Japanese Audio will make their voices bearable, though. Be prepared to read up on a [i]lot[/i] of the game's terminology and background via the in-game Datalog to fully grasp the game's reasoning. Still, do not expect things to make complete sense. Graphically, it still looks quite nice, with pretty effects being thrown around. The vast amount of pre-rendered cutscenes (18, if I count the game's video files) [i]look[/i] gorgeous, even if the contents aren't making for a good story. If you enjoy eyecandy, you will get it, even though the resolution lock and lack of options are a big failure on Square Enix's part. Overall, the pricetag reflects the game's quality. The mechanics and exploration are half-baked and too automated and controlled to satisfy an old franchise fan like me. The port is dreadful, and I would not recommend buying it until they at least offer a patch to add some basic settings for graphics and audio. If you can't wait, though, please don't expect it to be up there with the franchise's gems and fan-favorites. It "innovated" on all the wrong areas, and neglected its core vision as well as the franchise's strongest point: Storytelling and Character Development. As such, XIII is a lukewarm JRPG at best, and a below-average corridor crawler at worst.