Full disclosure: I played this following a platinum guide. Which involved playing on Easy for the simplest route to the Platinum Trophy.

But I will also own up to being a FFXIII Enjoyer in general. I loved the different cities/locales. The time/scheduling element to the side quests did a lot to make the towns feel alive. The ending, with everything leading up to it, the premise of the world ending, reconnecting with all our friends, learning the truth about The Ark and Bhunivelze, the final moments with Caius, Yuel, and Noel...Serah....Look. I was crying.

Anyway, I enjoyed it. Maybe not as much as I enjoyed XIII-2 or XIII, I like their combat systems more, but it was a good time.