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Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII

Achievement Guide & Roadmap


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Estimated Difficulty: 5/10 (Easy), 7/10 (Normal)

- Approximate Time: 70 - 80 hours

- Offline: 42

- Online: 0

- Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1.5 - 2

- Difficulty-related achievements: 0

- Glitched Achievements: 0

- Missable Achievements: technically a lot

 

Introduction:

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is the third and final game for the FFXIII trilogy as well as Lightning’s story. The world is approaching its end, with only 7 days left. Assigned by God to be the Savior, Lightning must collect 'Eradia' by aiding people in need and releasing their souls, so as to extend the world's life.

 

There are several major changes to the game system that even veterans of the XIII series should pay attention to.

 

1. There is a time limit for a playthrough as in-game time passes whatever Lightning does. One in-game day is approximately one hour real time.

 

2. The roles for the paradigm shift system are removed. Lightning can equip three outfits (garb) as three different ‘battle roles’ (schemata), where the moves of the original Commando, Ravager, Sentinel and Saboteur can be freely arranged among the three outfits. The roles of Synergist and Medic are replaced by using medicine items or equipping Lightning with specific weapons/accessories.

 

3. Lightning’s stats only increase by completing quests; fighting enemies only rewards abilities/moves and spoils.

 

The major reason achievements are missable is that you can idle and let time pass, so that you cannot save the world and force your playthrough to Game Over. Since time is limited, time management becomes an issue.

 

Step #1: Complete the game on Easy Difficulty

As there is no difficulty-related achievement, you are strongly advised to start the game on Easy Difficulty, since the difficulty of Normal is raised compared to previous titles. On Easy, not only do enemies have lower stats, but also you can use one of Lightning's abilities "Chronostasis" to stop time more frequently to buy time for your playthrough. If you want to start on Normal for a challenge, you may want to know that the developers themselves have even commented on preparing to be surprised by how difficult it can be.

 

In this playthrough, you should:

1. complete all 5 main quests.

2. do as many side quests as possible to extend the world's last day from Day 7 to Day 14.

3. collect and then sell 100 'Soul Seeds' from regions called 'Chaos', whenever you see them while free-roaming.

4. collect as many accessories (headwear type) as possible.

 

If careful, you can obtain 36 of the 42 achievements.

 

Step #2: Clean-Up in NG+ on any difficulty

Hard Difficulty & weaponry upgrading are unlocked for NG+. All Lightning’s stats, abilities, gils (money), weapons and items, except for quest-related ones, will be carried over.

 

This playthrough is for all the weapon/shield/accessory upgrading achievements. All but one can be unlocked very quickly. For the accessory upgrading, you will need to travel all around the continents to get 30 accessories (headwear) again, which can become nearly half of a new playthrough. However, you can still start on Easy. The game can become extremely easy this time, greatly speeding up the progress.

 

There are two superbosses in the secret dungeon, Ultimate Lair, and in Dead Dunes respectively. They can be challenging but are generally easier than their counterparts in XIII and XIII-2. If you have not managed to defeat them in your NG playthrough, now it is the time.

 

Conclusion:

The achievements for the game are not particularly difficult, and the game itself encourages multiple playthroughs, which can be a very enjoyable experience even without achievements. Congratulations for another 1000G and staying with Lightning to the end.

Edited by ImaginaryRuins
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Day 0 / Prologue

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/40.jpgPerfect Timing 15G

Proof of successfully guarding against an enemy's attack with perfect timing.

 

This can be your first achievement in this game. During the battle tutorial against the enemy Anubys, press X to guard right before it uses its blade to strike Lightning. If successful, Anubys will be stunned and this immediately unlocks the achievement. If you miss it, there are plenty of chances afterward.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/1.jpgThe Savior's Descent 15G

Proof of one who has mastered the basics of this world and begun a great journey.

 

Story-related, cannot be missed. Unlocked after Lightning is transported back to the Ark.

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/23.jpgNovice Stylist 10G

Proof of customizing your first schema. Continue on this path to find your own style.

 

In the Ark, Hope will present gift cubes to Lightning. One of the cubes contains a set of garb. After getting it, a tutorial will launch to teach you how to set up a schema with the garb. Complete the tutorial and the achievement will unlock.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/24.jpgNovice Artist 10G

Proof of customizing the color of one of your garb. Let your true colors shine through.

 

Immediately following the schema tutorial, you can customize garb colour by moving the cursor to the garb name and press X to activate the colour customization function. Choose any other colour and accept it to unlock the achievement.

Day 1 – Day 6

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/16.jpgPerfect Passenger 15G

Proof of riding upon all of the great monorail lines that cross this shrinking world.

 

From the Ark, Lightning is sent by Hope to arrive in Luxerion, one of the four main continents in the world, by monorail. You can attempt this achievement after solving the first challenge presented to Lightning, as the station is locked down before that.

 

The four continents – Luxerion, Yusnaan, Wildlands, Dead Dunes – are connected by monorail lines. You need to ride upon both go and return lines. The following order is suggested.

 

Luxerion (north station) → Yusnaan → Luxerion (north station), and then Luxerion (south station) → Wildlands → Dead Dunes → Wildlands → Luxerion (south station)

 

You can make a manual save beforehand and reload it afterward to avoid wasting time.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/21.jpgNovice Synthesist 10G

Proof of synthesizing your first ability. Did it prove useful?

 

Abilities can only be obtained from enemy loots and treasure spheres. Combining two abilities of the same name and level is a synthesis, which can only be carried out in a spell store.

 

You will be granted full access to Luxerion after solving the very first challenge presented to Lightning, and you can find the very first spell store at this point. Find it and talk to the store owner. The game will then launch the synthesis tutorial. Completing the tutorial will result in one successful synthesis and unlock the achievement.

 

Repeat the process 29 times by collecting more abilities to unlock “Expert Synthesist”.

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/27.jpgExpert Synthesist 15G

Proof of synthesizing abilities 30 times.

 

See “Novice Synthesist” above.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/18.jpgA Helping Hand 15G

Proof of clearing 25 quests that have appeared writ on the Canvas of Prayers.

 

There are 83 Canvas of Prayers quests. After solving the first challenge to Lightning in Luxerion, you should see a chocobo-lady, Chocolina, standing next to a board near the monorail station. Interact with Chocolina and she will reveal quests, usually about slaying a specific number of monsters for their spoils, or fetching particular items. Talk to Chocolina again after you have the items to complete the quests.

 

There is a board and a Chocolina near every monorail station and they show more quests in later days. You only need to complete 25 of them regardless of their difficulties.

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/29.jpgExpert Stylist 15G

Proof of obtaining 30 different garb.

 

You already are given one garb in the Ark. Garb can be bought in clothes stores, rewarded from side quests, or obtained from DLC.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/39.jpgMiracle of Light 10G

Proof of one who has used 50 EP.

 

You are already introduced to EP during the battle tutorial in the Prologue, through the use of Overlock. Replenished by fighting enemies or consuming special items, EP can be used for time stopping (Chronostasis), fast travel, recovering HP etc. Accumulating 50 EP uses should come through natural progression, especially when playing on a harder difficulty as certain EP abilities cost more EP.

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http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/2.jpgThe Hope of a Promise 15G

Proof of one who has seen through the dark mysteries that lurked in Luxerion, bringing justice.

 

Story-related, unlocked by completing main quest 1, in Luxerion. Quest boss is weak to Thunder.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/3.jpgHope at the Edge of Despair 15G

Proof of one who has stood upon the stage in glittering Yusnaan, bringing peace to the Patron.

 

Story-related, unlocked by completing main quest 2, in Yusnaan. Quest boss is weak to Fire.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/14.jpgQueen of the Arena 15G

Proof of achieving victory in the lists of the Battle Arena 10 times

 

The Battle Arena is in Yusnaan, open from 7p.m. to 3a.m., and to complete main quest 2 Lightning must win 3 rounds in the Arena. Win 7 more fights and the achievement will unlock. You can make a manual save beforehand and then reload it if you do not want to spend time in the arena.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/5.jpgAn Appetite for Chaos 15G

Proof of one who has visited the temple that towers over the Wildlands and touched the great Chaos.

 

Story-related, unlocked by completing main quest 3, in Wildlands. Quest boss has no particular weakness to any attack.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/11.jpgThe Chocobo's Savior 15G

Proof of nursing the holy chocobo back to full health among the rich pastures of the Wildlands.

 

Nursing the holy chocobo is part of main quest 3; you need to heal it to the extent that it can glide to reach the quest destination, but it is still not fully healed at this point. It needs to be fed with a couple more food items, which can be vegetables, milk, medicine etc. Talk to the holy chocobo and choose the option to feed it. Once it is fully healed a short cutscene will play and the achievement will unlock.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/4.jpgThe Mystery of the Holy Clavis 15G

Proof of one who has made it through the Dead Dunes to find ancient treasure.

 

Story-related, unlocked by completing main quest 4, in Dead Dunes. Quest boss is weak to Wind.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/12.jpgLizard Lariat 15G

Proof of hunting down more than 30 lizards in the shifting sands of the Dead Dunes.

 

While free roaming on the sand in Dead Dunes you will occasionally see small black lizards crawling on the ground. Pressing RB near one will prompt Lightning to use her weapon to kill it. These lizards spawn after some time passes so you should have no problem finding more of them.

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/8.jpgA Father, a Son, and a Chocobo 15G

Proof of helping a father and son reunite, bringing back a smile that seemed long lost.

 

Story-related, unlocked by completing main quest 5. Quest starts in northern Wildlands in the fallen airship, which is inaccessible unless gliding towards it on the holy chocobo. The quest requires fetching 5 fragments.

1st fragment is in a treasure sphere just outside the airship. The game prompts you to get it.

 

2nd fragment is obtained by completing a Canvas of Prayers quest. The required item for quest completion is in a treasuere sphere, on the South-West giant bridge in Wildlands.

 

3rd fragment is obtained by trading with any soul seed merchant. The required trading item is in a treasure sphere in Moggle's Village.

 

4th fragment is obtained by defeating the rare enemy, Cactair, in Dead Dunes. Cactair is shielded by a sandstorm, which can only be destroyed by having a Pilgrim's Crux and interacting it with the monument nearby. Cactair is very resistant that all damage towards it is only 1 point, so that multi-hit attacks, especially EP ability Army of One, are more useful than strong one-hit attacks.

 

5th fragment is obtained by winning a fight in the Yusnaan Arena. The opponent is Zaltys, the battle tutorial boss in the Prologue.

 

Return to and interact with the quest giver after collecting all 5 fragments. The achievement unlocks after the cutscene.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/9.jpg

Deliverer of Salvation 15G

Proof of clearing 5 side quests. It is a fine beginning, but the journey is still long.

 

See “Angel of Salvation” below.

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http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/10.jpgAngel of Salvation 30G

Proof of clearing 25 side quests. It is a great feat to lead so many souls to salvation.

 

There are 66 side quests, and doing them is mandatory in order to extend the world’s last day from Day 7 to 14. If you complete all 5 main quests, you already have done 5 side quests and unlocked "Deliverer of Salvation" in the process.

 

In each continent there are NPCs who have blue stars displaying under their names. These are side quest givers. The blue stars are not only difficulty rating, but also their weighing towards how much they can extend the world's last day. 1-star quests weigh 0.02; 2-star quests weigh 0.04; 3-star quests weigh 0.06. If all completed quests weigh 1 or above, then you should be able to reach Day14 (credit to Prima Guide). Still, this calculation is not foolproof, so you are strongly recommended to do all side quests.

 

For their exact locations and initiation time, see http://www.xboxachievements.com/forum/showthread.php?t=568041

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/38.jpgSeeing Stars 15G

Proof of staggering enemies 50 times with fearsome attacks. Do not ever let them rest!

 

Using attacks which enemies are weak to, striking enemies while they are about to attack, or blocking with perfect timing can result in staggering. This should come through natural progression without too much difficulty.

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/37.jpgFatal Impact 30G

Proof of dealing damage so great that it goes beyond all reason or expectation.

 

This requires dealing more than 99,999 damage points in one single hit, which can be achieved by using strong one-hit abilities (e.g. Heavy Slash Lv.3 max), equipping good weapons for Lightning, and attacking enemies weak towards that attack type.

 

The enemy Gurangatch (a yellow shelled-lizard appearing in Yusnaan and Dead Dunes) is a good enemy choice for this achievement, because after staggering, its resistance to all kinds of attacks drops to Weakness, leaving it very vulnerable for high damage output.

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/34.jpgHero of Might 15G

Proof of victory over 100 foes in battle.

 

See “Hero of Legend” below.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/35.jpgHero of Glory 15G

Proof of victory over 300 foes in battle.

 

See “Hero of Legend” below.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/36.jpgHero of Legend 30G

Proof of victory over 500 foes in battle.

 

Enemies spawn randomly while free roaming. You need to defeat a total of 500 of them. Bosses count as well. This should come naturally as long as you do not avoid fights.

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/41.jpgHarbinger of Death 15G

Proof of defeating your first Last One, the final specimen of a species on the verge of extinction.

 

See “Goddess of Death” below.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/42.jpgGoddess of Death 30G

Proof of defeating 10 Last Ones, exterminating forever 10 different species of monster.

 

There are 31 monster species that can be exterminated. After fighting the same species a lot of times (small enemies roughly 120 kills; medium ones 60 kills; large ones 30 kills), the last-of-its-kind would spawn. A Last One is easily recognized by its pinkish purple colour, and has higher stats than its common counterparts. Make 10 species extinct by killing 10 Last Ones, and the achievement will unlock.

 

There is another way to fight Last Ones. See “Monster Bane” in the section Day 13.

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/15.jpgSeed Collector 30G

Proof of a brave warrior who has managed to claim 50 soul seeds from the Chaos.

 

See "Unearthly Apothecary" below.

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/30.jpgUnearthly Apothecary 30G

Proof of obtaining an elixir. It's so rare that it seems almost a waste to use it, doesn't it?

 

An elixir requires obtaining a total of 100 Soul Seeds and then selling them to any soul seed merchant. Violet in colour, Soul Seeds appear only in Chaos, which are darkened regions that spawn semi-randomly in the continents and while free roaming.

Within each Chaos, depending on its size and luck, there can be 0 4 Soul Seeds on the ground. Seeds cannot be forced to spawn through keeping entering and exiting Chaos.

 

You need not hold onto the Seeds and can sell them immediately, but holding them helps you count how close you are to your target. You also need not keep selling to the same merchant. Upon selling the 100th Seed, the merchant will give Lightning an elixir, unlocking the achievement.

Soul Seeds cannot be carried to NG+, so you must collect and sell 100 Soul Seeds in one playthrough. If you need Soul Seeds urgently, see “Globetrotter” in the section Day 7 Day 12.

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Day 7 – Day 12

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/33.jpgDesert Dragonslayer 90G

Proof of victory over the dragon Aeronite who brought terror to the Dead Dunes.

 

Aeronite is the strongest enemy in the game. It roams the central area of Dead Dunes starting from Day 7, appearing as a small void giving out lightning. It is possible to defeat it on Day 7 even on Normal difficulty, but you are strongly recommended to do this in later days e.g. Day 11, after finishing all quests to max out Lightning's stats and better equipment becoming available in weapon stores.

Aeronite has 11,000,000 HP on Normal (8,800,000 on Easy). It needs to be staggered 4 times until its resistance towards Strength and Magic attacks drops from Resistant to Weakness for high damage output.

 

Staggering Aeronite ASAP is crucial; if not staggered fast enough, it would escape from the battle, forcing you to find and challenge it again later on. When staggering it, damage output is not a concern. Ra-class elemental attacks (esp. Aerora & Thundara) have a good balance between staggering power and rate of attack. Also, by completing main quest 3, the weapon reward will give a fast-stagger bonus at 75%. Once Aeronite is staggered 4 times and falls down, switch to a high-damage-output schema to kill it before it gets back on its feet. If you do not care about battle rating, keep using Overlock to make the battle easier.

 

Below is a video guide with a battle rating of 5 stars. All credit goes to its maker, Etro's Gate. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT084IQKXjw]www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT084IQKXjw[/ame]

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/17.jpgGlobetrotter 15G

Proof of building strong bridges to span the depths between continents, making all the world one.

 

On Day 9, three Canvas of Prayers quests will spawn: Roadworks I, II, & III. These quests require a total of 6 items.

 

Roadwork I:

The two items are Proof of Unlocking the Light Gate & Proof of Unlocking the Green Gate.

 

They are obtained by interacting with the light on the blue guard-station structures on Luxerion NW bridge and Wildlands SE bridge respectively (credit to Lifearmor in ps3trophies.org). These two items do not spawn unless you have started this quest.

 

Roadwork II:

The two items are Key to the Green Gate & Key to the Sand Gate.

 

The Green Gate Key is in a treasure sphere at the very southern area of Wildlands, to the south of Aryas Village, outside the white debris. The Sand Gate Key is in a treasure sphere near the abandoned lighthouse in Dead Dunes. There are three spheres and the Key is inside one of them, but NOT the one that require EP to open.

 

Roadwork III:

The two items are Oath of the Merchants Guild & Bandits Bloodseal.

 

The Oath is in a treasure sphere in the underground tunnel in Yusnaan. The Bloodseal is inside the entrance of Grave of the Colossi Shrine in Dead Dunes. Both items are along main story progression pathways so they should be very hard to miss.

The achievement will unlock after completing all three quests.

 

Note: Chaos frequently spawn on these bridges so it is a good method to obtain Soul Seeds, but do not use Chronostasis or the Chaos would not have Seeds within them.

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/7.jpgBeyond Thirteen 30G

Proof of making the impossible possible by using Eradia to bring the world a 14th day.

 

Story-related, unlocked between Day 12 and Day 13 in the Ark if you manage to do all 5 main quests and sufficient side quests.

Day 13

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/32.jpgMonster Bane 90G

Proof of mastering all creation and conquering even the Ultimate Lair.

 

The Ultimate Lair appears only on this day. It houses 28 Last Ones from 1/F to 28/F, and the boss Ereshkigal on 33/F (29/F to 32/F give treasure spheres). You must defeat enemies to proceed, and your battle scores decide how many floors you can proceed:

 

1 floor: 1 point

2 floors: 30000 points

3 floors: 60000 points

 

If you have already killed a Last One outside the dungeon, it will not re-appear in it. This means if you have been diligently killing monsters and their Last Ones, you may as well have cleared almost the entire dungeon except the boss before you enter it, saving you a lot of time and supplies. You cannot use Chronostasis to stop time while in the Lair.

Ereshkigal has 7,500,000 HP on Normal (6,000,000 on Easy). If you do not care about battle rating, you can keep using Overlock to make the battle easier. Poison & Slow are effective abilities against it.

 

Below is a video guide with a battle rating of 5 stars. All credit goes to its maker, MasterLL. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4qCiDm6bC0]www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4qCiDm6bC0[/ame].

 

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/31.jpgHoly Garb of Destruction 90G

Proof of obtaining the ultimate garb, imbued with destructive magic.

 

Ereshkigal drops the ultimate garb when defeated. Approach where Ereshkigal falls and pick up the reward to unlock the achievement.

 

Note: Day 14 is the point of no return, so wrap up any unfinished business.

Day 14 / World's Last Day

http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/13.jpgCrimson Rebirth 15G

Proof of restoring a sword, once broken, to its former glory and power.

 

Before entering the final boss room, the game will instruct that there are 4 trials for Lightning. All trials are clearing very simple dungeons, requiring only defeating enemies to proceed. For each completed dungeon, a statue corresponding to it will shine a beam to the central altar. Once all 4 beams from all statues concentrate onto the altar, interact with it and the achievement unlocks after the cutscene ends.

Edited by ImaginaryRuins
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http://www.xboxachievements.com/images/achievements/2465/6.jpgA Legend from Times Past 90G

Proof of the true savior, who overthrew even the god of light to lead the people to a new world.

 

Story-related, unlocked by defeating the final boss of the game. Boss is vulnerable only to Deprotect, Deshell and Imperil. The whole fight can be separated into 4 stages with the boss becoming progressively stronger. During the final stage, the boss will take very little damage unless he/she is staggered and will be immune to all debuffs. If you do not care about your battle rating, keep using Overlock to stagger him/her faster. Once staggered, the boss cannot attack and is vulnerable to debuffs. Use this chance to attack in full force before he/she gets back up.

 

Below is a video guide with a battle rating of 5 stars. All credit goes to its maker, Sagman Twelve.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek07SSI38DQ.

 

NG+

Note: If you failed your NG playthrough to start an NG+, the equipment upgrading function will not unlock, which means the two Swordsmith & the two Shieldsmith achievements will not be obtainable yet, until you do an NG++ playthrough.

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/2465/19.jpg Novice Swordsmith 10G

Proof of improving your first weapon. Did you make something worthy?

 

See “Expert Swordsmith” below.

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/2465/25.jpg Expert Swordsmith 15G

Proof of modifying weapons 30 times.

 

Go to any weapon store and follow the tutorial on weapon improving. To repeat the process, you will need to buy weapon improvement items, which can now be bought from merchants who sell enemy stats information around the continents.

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/2465/20.jpg Novice Shieldsmith 10G

Proof of improving your first shield. Use it wisely to guard yourself.

 

See “Expert Shieldsmith” below.

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/2465/26.jpg Expert Shieldsmith 15G

Proof of modifying shields 30 times.

 

Similar to “Expert Swordsmith” above, but this time chooses to upgrade the shield instead of weapon. Required items can also be bought from merchants who used to sell enemy stats information around the continents.

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/2465/22.jpg Novice Craftsman 10G

Proof of upgrading your first accessory. Did you find the experience thrilling?

 

See “Expert Craftsman” below.

http://www.xbox360achievements.org/images/achievements/2465/28.jpg Expert Craftsman 15G

Proof of upgrading accessories 30 times.

 

Accessory upgrading is different from weapon/shield upgrading – by collecting the same accessory in NG+ a second time. As a result, you should try your best to obtain as many accessories (from treasure spheres and fighting Last Ones) as you can to carry them over to NG+ to speed up the progress. Since an accessory can be upgraded twice and still count towards this achievement, if you do not have enough accessories, then you will have to play NG++.

Note: there are two types of accessories: headwear and bands. ‘Accessory’ here only refers to headwear, as bands cannot be further upgraded even in NG+. If you want to knock this achievement off quickly, consider following the speedrun guide in this thread: http://www.xboxachievements.com/forum/showthread.php?t=568989

Edited by ImaginaryRuins
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Well done! Can't wait to get my hands on the game :D how often can you use lighting time stop? Does it require anything or is it an ability? Thanks

 

Time stopping can be used very early (Day 1), automatically unlocked. It consumes 1 EP, and last a little more than 1 minute in real time.

 

EP can be replenished by fighting enemies, and the stronger they are, the more EP they give. Also, if playing on Easy, they give x2 EP compared to Normal. As long as you keep fighting, you can virtually infinitely stop time on Easy

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Time stopping can be used very early (Day 1), automatically unlocked. It consumes 1 EP, and last a little more than 1 minute in real time.

 

EP can be replenished by fighting enemies, and the stronger they are, the more EP they give. Also, if playing on Easy, they give x2 EP compared to Normal. As long as you keep fighting, you can virtually infinitely stop time on Easy

 

That sounds great, since I plan to explore everything, extra time will always come in handy haha thanks for the reply :)

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I don't want to spoiler myself by reading the Achievement descriptions before my first playthrough bc I'm not sure if I wanna play the game blindly first or not, so I'll just ask here:

 

1. completing all 5 main quests

2. at least 100 side quests plus Canvas of Prayers quests

3. collect and then sell 100 'Soul Seeds' from regions called 'Chaos', whenever you see them while free-roaming.

4. collect as many accessories as possible.

 

1. Is there a NG+ if you actually fail the main story because you're too slow? Or do you have to start from scratch in that case. Because I think I'd like to enjoy the game before really going for it, but wouldn't want to start all over again. So basically, do a casual run, than a NG+ run on easy or normal with a Guide at hand and than another NG+(+?) if I cannot upgrade everything in time.

 

2. Is time a huge problem when trying to get enough side quests done? I read different comments on that in previews or import reviews.

 

3. Is this realistically missable if you thoroughly explore everything and look out for them while doing so? Or do you have to "grind" them out in certain areas.

 

Thanks in advance and thanks for the guide.

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1. Is there a NG+ if you actually fail the main story because you're too slow? Or do you have to start from scratch in that case. Because I think I'd like to enjoy the game before really going for it, but wouldn't want to start all over again. So basically, do a casual run, than a NG+ run on easy or normal with a Guide at hand and than another NG+(+?) if I cannot upgrade everything in time.

 

2. Is time a huge problem when trying to get enough side quests done? I read different comments on that in previews or import reviews.

 

3. Is this realistically missable if you thoroughly explore everything and look out for them while doing so? Or do you have to "grind" them out in certain areas.

 

1. Yes, there is an NG+. However, although nearly everything like Lightning's stats, weapons are carried over, all side quests & main quests are cleared, so you will have to complete them again. And that's why I strongly recommend you start on Easy Difficulty, because you can basically spam Lightning's ability 'Stop Time' to gain a lot of game-playing time. In fact, on Easy I have 3 whole days left to spare, nothing to do.

 

2. Most side quests are straightforward and are not really time consuming, IF you know what to do. Like I said, if you spam 'Stop Time', you can do them very leisurely.

 

3. On Easy you can explore almost everything and still have a good amount of time to spare, so no need to worry. Grinding isn't really needed, but if you want enemies to drop good moves & rare items, you'll need to fight them a lot.

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I see, one more question, is the game actually good? It seems odd for a JRPG to have only 1 main character.

 

Story-wise, well, I think XIII has the best plot. However, in terms of gameplay, I really, really enjoy Lightning Returns. It takes time to adjust to having only one character, but the battle system has more depth and the feeling of actually controlling a chracter has increased. The game itself also encourages multiple playthroughs. I only played XIII and XIII-2 once, but I played Lightning Returns 3 times, and plan on playing it again after finishing Arkham Origins.

 

 

The are Achievements only missable, if i start a NG+? As Long as i am in "day 13", I can get the achievements?

 

Day 13, yes, is the last day for free roaming. As long as you can spam Time Stopping to prevent the day from passing, you can still mop up any achievement you want.

 

However, be very careful that the Ultimate Lair appears only on Day 13. If you intend to fight all Last Ones and the boss in the Lair, and have many achievements not obtained at that time, you may not have enough time to get them all, because Time Stopping requires spending EP, which can be replenished by fighting monsters. No monsters left means almost no means of gaining EP to stop time.

Edited by ImaginaryRuins
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Could you give a little more information about exactly what order we should focus doing things on? Like should we not kill everything ASAP out of fear of not clearing the day 13 dungeon?

 

Also for that dungeon it says you skip levels by killing a last one. If we've already killed it does that cause problems?

 

I just don't want to start and screw myself up.

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Could you give a little more information about exactly what order we should focus doing things on? Like should we not kill everything ASAP out of fear of not clearing the day 13 dungeon?

 

Also for that dungeon it says you skip levels by killing a last one. If we've already killed it does that cause problems?

 

I just don't want to start and screw myself up.

 

The 5 main quests should be what you focus on first - some side quests in a continent do not show up until the main quest is finished.

 

Then, focus on doing side quests & Canvas of Prayers quests. Of course you can do them whenever you encounter them.

 

Now, as for whether to vanquish monsters early, that depends on your own choice: monsters start dropping stronger abilities in later days (earlier days drop e.g. Fire/Wind/Ice/Thunder Lv.1, and then after Day 10, these can get to Lv.3), and if you destroy species that it is only them which drop a particular ability, then you'll be unable to synthesize stronger abilities.

 

To illustrate: Thundera is only dropped by a big monkey enemy in Wildlands, so if you eliminate them too early you will only get e.g. 7 Thundera Lv. 1 to synthesize 1 Thundera Lv. 2 (with 2 Thundera Lv.1 remaining), and then have no access to any Thundera for synthesis in that playthrough.

 

Ideally, for the first few days, you should fight monsters until you can synthesize a e.g. Lv.2 ability, and then wait for a couple more days to wait for them to drop Lv. 2 ability, then fight them to get enough Lv.2 abilities to synthesize Lv.3, and even Lv.4. After that, kill them all.

 

If you wonder what the difference between abilities directly dropped from enemies and synthesized from basic Lv.1 is, it is the energy comsumption. Abilities of the same level deal the same amount of damage, but sythesized-from-basic abilities occupy less Active Time Bar. In the long run, synthesizing all the way to Lv.5 allows Lightning to squeeze in more abilities in one Active Time Bar.

 

Feel free to vanquish monsters before Day 13 when you enter the Ultimate Lair, you'll save yourself a lot of time there. If you have vanquished a species, its corresponding floor will be empty. So you can just jump e.g. 1/F to 4/F, then from 4/F to 7/F, 7 to 10, 10 to 13, all the way to 28/F and finally 33/F. (floors 29 to 32 contain treasure spheres which give you supplies for the boss fight, if you wonder)

 

Really? a 7/10 on normal? interesting.

 

If you have a walkthrough then it can be 6/10, and an Easy playthrough can be 4/10. At the beginning of the game, Normal can be really hard.

Edited by ImaginaryRuins
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  • 2 weeks later...
And how feasible is getting all the possible achievements on normal my first try? Am I going to have to play easy? It looks like I only need to do 75 quests which would help, right?

 

Expanding upon that question, is the game clear about where to go for a quest?

 

And finally, would saving, grinding out the soul seeds, and then reloading be a viable strategy?

 

If you have a guide/walkthrough, getting all achievements on 1st run shouldn't be too hard, as you will know exactly how and where to start/complete quests, managing your time better. I can assure you, even on Normal, you can complete all 64 side quests and 83 Canvas of Prayers quests as early as Day 9, IF you know what to do.

 

The game gives no hint on the locations of side-quest givers (if you think the map will, like Assassin's Creed series, mark everything, then wrong), BUT once they are initiated, the side quest progression page will show hints, and Lightning's murmuring & conversations with Hope also give you hints.

 

Soul Seeds cannot be farmed by the save & reload method. Once collected, even if you leave the Chaos and return to it, nothing will spawn. The key to get Soul Seeds to spawn again is to let a certain amount of time pass. Still, you need not be too stressed. I'm on my 2nd playthrough on Normal, so I stopped time a lot less, but I still managed to collect 100 Seeds on Day 10.

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No I meant saving, grinding out all 100 by day 10 or whatever and then reloading to day 6 before you ever started grinding. Is there any need for 100 of them?

 

Sorry, my bad.

 

I'm afraid grinding all 100 Soul Seeds in a single day is nearly impossible. I'd suggest starting collecting them from Day 1 or 2. If you can get 10 per day, then you can easily reach 100 by Day 10, and still have 3 days left.

 

Besides, having 100 Seeds you can use them to exchange for an Elixir, which is the best synergy item in the game, worth keeping in my opinion. I have 2 now.

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