The wait for Final Fantasy XIII has not been an easy one. The game was announced in 2006, shortly before the release of Final Fantasy XII, which would be the last PS2 game in the series. Developing a next-gen installment in the prolific RPG franchise took longer than expected, and the gaming world watched and waited as release windows were shattered and pushed back again and again. Finally, just when it seemed like Final Fantasy XIII might never make it to store shelves, an official release date was revealed, and the game launched on March 9, 2010. Final Fantasy XIII has made some major changes to the typical RPG formula, but the final result is a beautiful and enjoyable title that can stand on its own despite an overwhelming amount of hype.