Lightning Returns concludes the opus begun in 2009's Final Fantasy XIII – the titular heroine now cast as emissary of the god Bhunivelze, charged with saving the souls of humanity. The trilogy has redefined the RPG franchise as more action-oriented, with this title the ultimate result. Lightning fights solo, with attacks and spells hammered out in real time. An aberration to traditionalists, no doubt, but it's a battle system that's engaging and surprisingly complex thanks to customisable quick-switch outfits, each providing different abilities.

Set 13 days before the end of the world, there's also a rare impetus to proceedings. Travelling between locations or escaping fights eats up in-game time, lending Lightning's quest a quiet desperation. There isn't time to save everything and decisions about which missions to complete, or when, have an impact on the world around you, often to heartbreaking effect. A poignant end, then, but the best entry in the controversial XIII saga.