Games like LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII
If LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII is your kind of game, the closest matches are FINAL FANTASY® XIII-2, FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION and FINAL FANTASY XIV Online — picked from the ranked list below. Reviewers single out its atmospheric, contemplative and epic. Each pick is ranked by what players of this game also play, shared genres and tags, and review-mined similarity — not a generic popularity list.
Get personalized picks →Lightning Returns is a 2015 action RPG concluding the Final Fantasy XIII saga and Lightning's story as the sole playable character. Set in a reborn open world, the game features fully customizable solo combat through a schemata system allowing players to swap between three distinct ability and outfit configurations on the fly. A persistent time limit adds pressure to exploration and quest completion, with no map markers guiding the way, encouraging non-linear progression. Players describe the experience as epic and contemplative, with atmospheric tension emerging from the narrative stakes and soundtrack. The challenging gameplay loop involves ability-farming and collecting various garb pieces, offering deep customization options. Currently priced at $7.99 and marked as playable on Steam Deck, the game holds an 80% positive rating from over 2,100 Steam reviews.
About LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII: Lightning Returns is the concluding chapter of the Final Fantasy XIII saga and series heroine Lightning's final battle. The grand finale of the trilogy brings a world reborn as well as free character customization and stunning action based battles.
Players who liked LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII also play
Steam players who put hours into LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII also tend to own these titles — a signal called collaborative filtering. imho.run cross-references millions of library ownership patterns to surface games whose real audiences overlap, regardless of whether their genre tags match.
FINAL FANTASY® XIII-2
WHY THIS
Top pick for LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
It is no longer about facing destiny. Create a new future and change the world! Now enhanced for Windows PC.
FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION
WHY THIS
Shares an epic mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Second-strongest match for LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Take the journey, now in ultimate quality. Boasting a wealth of bonus content and supporting ultra high-resolution graphical options and HDR 10, you can now enjoy the beautiful and carefully-crafted experience of FINAL FANTASY XV like never before.
FINAL FANTASY XIV Online
WHY THIS
Shares an epic mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Third-strongest match for LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Join over 30 million adventurers worldwide and take part in an epic and ever-changing FINAL FANTASY. Experience an unforgettable story, exhilarating battles, and a myriad of captivating environments to explore.
Nioh 3
WHY THIS
Shares an epic mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Ranked #4 for LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
In the third game in the dark samurai action RPG series Nioh, you will need to use both Samurai and Ninja combat styles in your battles against formidable yokai as you explore a thrilling open field.
God of War
WHY THIS
Shares an atmospheric mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Ranked #5 for LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
His vengeance against the Gods of Olympus years behind him, Kratos now lives as a man in the realm of Norse Gods and monsters. It is in this harsh, unforgiving world that he must fight to survive… and teach his son to do the same.
FINAL FANTASY TYPE-0™ HD
WHY THIS
Ranked #6 for LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
FINAL FANTASY TYPE-0 HD brings an immersive world, memorable characters and the production value known of the series, together with high quality gameplay and storytelling truly worthy of the FINAL FANTASY name.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
WHY THIS
Shares an atmospheric mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Ranked #7 for LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
A new dark fantasy Three Kingdoms action RPG from Team NINJA, the developers of Nioh.
Trials of Mana
WHY THIS
Ranked #8 for LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII fans by collaborative filtering across millions of Steam libraries. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Trials of Mana is a modern revival of the 3rd game in the seminal Mana series. The game, originally released in Japan as Seiken Densetsu 3, has been fully rebuilt from the ground up in 3D.
Reviewers mention these as similar to LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII
Surfaced from review text: when other players write 'if you liked X, try Y', we catch the name and resolve it back to a Steam game.
FINAL FANTASY VII
WHY THIS
Reviewers of LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
The RPG classic FINAL FANTASY VII returns to PC, now with brand new online features!
FINAL FANTASY
WHY THIS
Shares an epic mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Reviewers of LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
The original FINAL FANTASY comes to life with completely new graphics and audio! A remodeled 2D take on the first game in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics.
FINAL FANTASY® XIII
WHY THIS
Shares an epic mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Reviewers of LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Final Fantasy XIII is a fantasy RPG in which a band of brave humans struggle against fate in the utopian sky city of Cocoon and the primeval world of Pulse. Follow stylish heroine Lightning's fast paced battles and high adventure in a mysterious new world.
FINAL FANTASY® XIII-2
WHY THIS
Reviewers of LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
It is no longer about facing destiny. Create a new future and change the world! Now enhanced for Windows PC.
DARK SOULS™: REMASTERED
WHY THIS
Shares an atmospheric mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Reviewers of LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII cross-mention this title as a similar play.
Then, there was fire. Re-experience the critically acclaimed, genre-defining game that started it all. Beautifully remastered, return to Lordran in stunning high-definition detail running at 60fps.
Shenmue I & II
WHY THIS
Shares an atmospheric mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Reviewers of LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII cross-mention this title as a similar play. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
SEGA®’s most requested re-release of all time finally comes to a new generation. Shenmue delivers an epic story of revenge within a unique open world that is still unrivalled in depth and detail. Return to the epic saga that defined modern gaming. The saga begins…again.
Cheaper alternatives
Games in the same vein priced at least 40% below LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII at current Steam store prices.
The Test
WHY THIS
Priced ~75% under LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII on Steam right now. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
You will answer a series of questions that will reveal truths from deep within. These questions may make you uncomfortable, but with great knowledge comes great sacrifice. Can you make it all the way through The Test, and if you do, are you sure you want the answers you seek?
Crypt of the NecroDancer
WHY THIS
Priced ~63% under LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII on Steam right now. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Crypt of the NecroDancer is an award winning hardcore roguelike rhythm game. Move to the music and deliver beatdowns to the beat! Groove to the epic Danny Baranowsky soundtrack, or select songs from your own MP3 collection!
Streets of Rogue
WHY THIS
Priced ~50% under LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII on Steam right now. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Fight, sneak, and hack your way through randomly generated cities. It's like Nuclear Throne meets Deus Ex, mixed with the anarchy of GTA. Rogue-lite meets immersive sim, and goes completely insane.
Tower Wizard
WHY THIS
Priced ~63% under LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII on Steam right now. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Help a wizard build and upgrade a wizard tower in this incremental game! Use the tower to study magic, summon spirits, create buildings, and influence the world.
The Test: Hypothesis Rising
WHY THIS
Priced ~75% under LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII on Steam right now. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
The second chapter in The Test trilogy. Answer a series of in-depth questions to reveal hidden truths about yourself and unlock secrets to discover how your life can change drastically with just a few, slight modifications. ...But are you sure you want the answers you seek?
The Test: Final Revelation
WHY THIS
Priced ~75% under LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII on Steam right now. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
The third chapter in The Test Trilogy. Answer a series of in-depth questions to reveal hidden truths about yourself and unlock secrets to discover who you really are as a person. The Final Revelation is upon us... but are you sure you TRULY want the answers you seek?
The NOexistenceN of you AND me
WHY THIS
Priced ~75% under LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII on Steam right now. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Use "game" as a medium to showcase the world of "you/girl". Explore the truth of "you/girl/world" through the form of a "visual novel".
Free alternatives
Free-to-play games that recommended players of this title also tend to enjoy.
Doki Doki Literature Club!
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
The Literature Club is full of cute girls! Will you write the way into their heart? This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed.
Life is Strange - Episode 1
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
Episode 1 now FREE! Life is Strange is an award-winning and critically acclaimed episodic adventure game that allows the player to rewind time and affect the past, present and future.
Ultimate Custom Night
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
Welcome to the ultimate FNAF mashup, featuring 50 selectable characters and custom difficulties!
ENA: Dream BBQ
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
Experience surreal environments and inexplicable characters as ENA in a new wild world.
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
Sonic the Hedgehog...was murdered!? Get to the bottom of the mystery in this brand-new adventure!
Indigo Park: Chapter 1
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
Explore the abandoned childhood wonder of Indigo Park! Guided by Rambley the Raccoon, help restore power to the destroyed amusement park while you run from the reason it shut down.
The Looker
WHY THIS
Free-to-play pick from the same recommendation pool — no purchase to try it.
You wake up, alone, on a strangely familiar island full of puzzles that will frustrate and annoy you.
Narrow it down
Head-to-head comparisons
Coming soon from Square Enix
Announced and quality-gated upcoming releases from Square Enix — ranked by community wishlist demand from our scraped pool.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales
WHY THIS
Announced upcoming release from Square Enix, the studio behind LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
A brand-new action RPG from the creators of OCTOPATH TRAVELER and BRAVELY DEFAULT – The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales combines stunning HD-2D visuals and exciting action-adventure gameplay for the first time!
FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE
WHY THIS
Announced upcoming release from Square Enix, the studio behind LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Return to the pixel‑art world of FINAL FANTASY, evolved from its classic roots. Travel with companions bound by fate and call on Visions to aid you in battle to uncover the truth behind a force that threatens to bring everything to ruin.
DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World
WHY THIS
Announced upcoming release from Square Enix, the studio behind LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
In this RPG, you befriend monsters from the DRAGON QUEST series, raise them up, synthesize new creatures, and pit them against other monsters in battle. Join fledgling monster wranglers Bianca and Nera as they set off on the adventure of a lifetime.
More from Square Enix
Other recommendable Steam games by Square Enix, ranked by review count so the studio's hits land first.
NieR:Automata™
WHY THIS
Shares an atmospheric mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Another title from Square Enix, the studio behind LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
NieR: Automata tells the story of androids 2B, 9S and A2 and their battle to reclaim the machine-driven dystopia overrun by powerful machines.
FINAL FANTASY XIV Online
WHY THIS
Shares an epic mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Another title from Square Enix, the studio behind LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Join over 30 million adventurers worldwide and take part in an epic and ever-changing FINAL FANTASY. Experience an unforgettable story, exhilarating battles, and a myriad of captivating environments to explore.
FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION
WHY THIS
Shares an epic mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Another title from Square Enix, the studio behind LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Take the journey, now in ultimate quality. Boasting a wealth of bonus content and supporting ultra high-resolution graphical options and HDR 10, you can now enjoy the beautiful and carefully-crafted experience of FINAL FANTASY XV like never before.
FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE
WHY THIS
Shares an atmospheric mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Another title from Square Enix, the studio behind LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Cloud Strife, an ex-SOLDIER operative, descends on the mako-powered city of Midgar. The world of the timeless classic FINAL FANTASY VII is reborn, using cutting-edge graphics technology, a new battle system and an additional adventure featuring Yuffie Kisaragi.
FINAL FANTASY VII
WHY THIS
Another title from Square Enix, the studio behind LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
The RPG classic FINAL FANTASY VII returns to PC, now with brand new online features!
FINAL FANTASY XVI
WHY THIS
Shares an atmospheric mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Another title from Square Enix, the studio behind LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
An epic dark fantasy where fates are decided by mighty Eikons and the Dominants who wield them. This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a tragic warrior who swears revenge on the Dark Eikon Ifrit, a mysterious entity that leaves naught but calamity in its wake.
FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH
WHY THIS
Shares an atmospheric mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Another title from Square Enix, the studio behind LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
The Unknown Journey Continues... After escaping the city of Midgar, Cloud and his friends set out on a journey across the planet. New adventures await in a vibrant, expansive world in this standalone entry of the FFVII remake trilogy.
NieR Replicant™ ver.1.22474487139...
WHY THIS
Another title from Square Enix, the studio behind LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
The upgraded prequel of NieR:Automata. A kind young man sets out with Grimoire Weiss, a strange talking book, to search for the "Sealed verses" in order to save his sister Yonah, who fell terminally ill to the Black Scrawl.
Plays great on Steam Deck
Valve-Verified or Playable picks from the similar pool — ready to go on Deck out of the box.
FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION
WHY THIS
Shares an epic mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Take the journey, now in ultimate quality. Boasting a wealth of bonus content and supporting ultra high-resolution graphical options and HDR 10, you can now enjoy the beautiful and carefully-crafted experience of FINAL FANTASY XV like never before.
God of War
WHY THIS
Shares an atmospheric mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
His vengeance against the Gods of Olympus years behind him, Kratos now lives as a man in the realm of Norse Gods and monsters. It is in this harsh, unforgiving world that he must fight to survive… and teach his son to do the same.
Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty
WHY THIS
Shares an atmospheric mood with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
A new dark fantasy Three Kingdoms action RPG from Team NINJA, the developers of Nioh.
Trials of Mana
WHY THIS
Deck Verified — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares RPG with LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
Trials of Mana is a modern revival of the 3rd game in the seminal Mana series. The game, originally released in Japan as Seiken Densetsu 3, has been fully rebuilt from the ground up in 3D.
Frequently asked about LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII
- Does LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII run on Steam Deck?
- LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII is rated Playable on Steam Deck — it runs, but expect some manual adjustments (control remapping, text size, or graphics settings) for the best experience.
- How much does LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII cost?
- LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII is listed on Steam at 7.99 USD (current store price; Steam sales may reduce this temporarily).
- What games are most similar to LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII?
- Based on Steam play patterns and shared genres/tags, the games most often recommended alongside LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII are FINAL FANTASY® XIII-2, FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION, FINAL FANTASY XIV Online.
- Who developed LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII?
- LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII was developed by Square Enix.
imho.run ranks Steam game alternatives using a mix of collaborative filtering (ALS / iALS / EASE / LightGCN), content scoring over genres, categories, Steam tags, developers, and publishers, plus AI-extracted vibes mined from review text. The page above is generated in seed mode anchored on LIGHTNING RETURNS™: FINAL FANTASY® XIII.
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