Theatrhythm Remaining Fantasy rapidly grew to become one among my favourite Nintendo 3DS video games when it hit the system in 2012, as did the Curtain Name sequel two years later. These weren’t good rhythm video games, however they had been distinctive and utilized among the finest compilations of online game scores in music historical past. The Remaining Fantasy sequence is particular to me for a lot of causes, and maybe chief amongst these is its music. That I ended up adoring the Theatrhythm sequence on 3DS was no shock. I used to be stunned, although, to see writer Sq. Enix and developer indieszero announce Theatrhythm Remaining Bar Line final September, with a launch date only a few months later, no much less.
I didn’t anticipate this sequence to make a return, however I had at all times hoped it will, given its predecessor solely lined the franchise via 2014. There are a whole lot of recent, beloved tracks within the sequence between Remaining Fantasy XIV’s expansions, Remaining Fantasy XV, Remaining Fantasy 7 Remake, and different video games launched because the final Theatrhythm. Remaining Bar Line is including tracks from these titles and extra, together with different Sq. Enix video games through DLC like Reside A Reside (and its latest remake), the Nier sequence, The World Ends With You, and Chrono Set off. And after taking part in via 30 of the sport’s songs in an advance preview of the demo that’s out there for everybody beginning February 1, I can safely say Remaining Bar Line is a must-play for me subsequent month.
Within the almost 10 years between the final sport and Remaining Bar Line, not a lot has modified. The sequel retains the lovable, chibi artwork model of the primary, the identical forms of stage codecs, and lots of the similar songs, which is nice; it labored in 2012 (and 2014) and it really works right here, too. One massive distinction, although, is the way in which you play Remaining Bar Line. Theatrhythm’s horizontal music scroll that dictated when to hit beats was unusual, particularly given how in style vertical music scrolls had been due to the likes of Guitar Hero and Rock Band. However because the video games utilized the 3DS’ sturdy contact display screen and stylus, the horizontal scroll labored properly, giving gamers a pleasant view of the battles and adventures happening to the tune of your beats. That horizontal scroll returns in Remaining Bar Line, although it was extra awkward, at first, with out the identical contact display screen mechanics to get used to.
In my first few songs, I wasn’t certain I favored it. You possibly can hit the triggers or any of the 4 face buttons to “faucet” a beat on display screen, no matter word shade or placement on the scroll’s 4 traces. When a beat with an arrow seems, although, you could use one of many analog sticks and slash it within the path proven. I rapidly received right into a rhythm of utilizing my left hand to deal with directional slashes and my proper hand to hit buttons for traditional notes. Then the problem superior, and I needed to hit two notes on the similar time rapidly adopted by directional slashes. I needed to reconfigure my playstyle consequently, settling into utilizing my proper hand (and a face button) to deal with normal beats, my left hand on the left set off for twin normal beats, and my left thumb for directional slashes. And when a word has two instructions on it, I’d use my proper thumb on the similar time to deal with the second path. If this sounds odd, it’s. By the point I hit the one-hour mark in my 30-track preview, although, this felt pure, and I used to be even capable of begin tackling songs on the subsequent highest problem.
The presentation of discipline tracks and battle music phases are much like the primary sport – your 4 chosen characters, of which there are dozens to select from spanning many of the included video games, both waltz via a easy chibi-esque panorama or battle a chibi enemy from the chosen sport. It’s easy, and whereas I initially wished extra out of those scenes, I used to be quickly reminded that my focus could be on the horizontal scroll 99 % of the tune and that I’d be watching the battles occur in my peripherals; which is to say the scenes that play out didn’t have an effect on my enjoyment a lot in both path. I’m excited to play via the particular music video tracks within the remaining sport, which display screen iconic cinematics from Remaining Fantasy titles, as I believe these will function the visible flare I used to be lacking from the usual tracks.
Once you boot up the sport, a flashy Remaining Fantasy thirty fifth Anniversary emblem seems on display screen, and for good cause; Remaining Bar Line is a rhythm sport first, but in addition a celebratory museum for the sequence’ iconic music, characters, and tales. As you sort out quests within the new Sequence Quests mode, which duties you with finishing goals like defeating a certain quantity of enemies or ending a degree with out taking a sure share of injury, you earn particular rewards. It may be an merchandise like a therapeutic potion or a Phoenix Down, however it may also be a CollectaCard, which is added to your museum assortment. These playing cards depict idea artwork, in-game screens, enemies, characters, and extra, and there are multiple thousand to gather. It’s a pleasant contact that provides some premium nostalgia to Remaining Bar Line’s Remaining Fantasy celebration.
Within the Museum, you may view your CollectaCard assortment, rewatch movies, take heed to tracks you’ve unlocked, and look at the feats you’ve accomplished. There’s loads of Remaining Fantasy historical past to devour right here, and completionists are seemingly in for dozens of hours of play to unlock the whole lot.
This iteration of Theatrhythm, like those earlier than it, is nowhere close to the perfect rhythm sport, and amidst those on the market, it definitely performs as one of many weirdest. However what Remaining Bar Line has that different rhythm video games don’t is entry to, for my cash, among the finest catalogs of music in all of video games. Enjoying via greater than a dozen of Masashi Hamauzu’s good Remaining Fantasy XIII tracks is a deal with sufficient; throw within the different 370-something tracks that might be within the remaining sport, and I can’t look forward to February 16.
You possibly can play the Theatrhythm Remaining Bar Line demo, which options 30 songs and progress that carries over into the ultimate sport, on February 1.
