First Final Fantasy XIII-2 Reviews Released

The Final days for this franchise, or its Finest hour?
Final Fantasy XIII was by no means an amazing video game, but it certainly sold well enough over in Japan to warrant a sequel, so just two years on we've got the creatively titled Final Fantasy XIII-2. Based on what I've seen of the new entry, I wouldn't recommend it to those who've never played a FF game before. That said, if you have played one such fantasy title and enjoyed it, this'll be right up your street. Here's what the critics are saying...
OFFICIAL XBOX MAGAZINE (8/10)- "Final Fantasy can conjure love, hate, derision and awe- XIII-2 gets less love than XIII, the simplification dampens the open awe of previous games, but it's still the dominant feeling, and the fact I finished the game with only a quarter of the collectible fragments and very little idea of where to find them? I just can't wait for the FAQs to start coming out."
MACHINIMA (90%)- "Recommending XIII-2 is an interesting proposition. If you don't like menus and cutscenes, it won't change your world view. However if you, like me, have been waiting for a reason to like FF again, this is it."
DIGITAL SPY (4/5)- "XIII-2 address the complaints of its predecessor, and while it does so by dramatically changing how the adventure plays out, the results are at time stunning, with a well integrated time travel mechanic that benefits the adventure's pacing and story/"
IGN (80%)- "Final Fantasy XIII-2 proves itself the better game, but it lacks the same focused storytelling employed in the original. It still deserves your time for a few poignant moments set at the end of days, despite its severe lack of closure."
METACRITIC AVERAGE: 80%