Final Fantasy XIII is a role-playing video game developed by Square Enix and released in 2009. It is part of the long-running Final Fantasy series and features a linear gameplay structure, focusing on a story-driven experience. Players control a group of characters, each with unique abilities, as they navigate a futuristic world called Cocoon and its mysterious counterpart, Gran Pulse. The game introduces a new battle system known as the Paradigm System, allowing players to switch character roles in real-time during combat. The narrative centers around a group of characters, including Lightning, Snow, and Vanille, who are branded as enemies of the state and must fight against their fate.