Even in case you’re an informal observer of Closing Fantasy, this isn’t one to overlook. Theatrhythm: Closing Bar Line collects 385 songs (or 402 in case you personal the Deluxe Version) throughout numerous Closing Fantasy video games, spin-offs, motion pictures, and live shows to create the final word celebration of the 35 yr outdated franchise. Closing Bar Line is the fourth Theatrhythm Closing Fantasy sport after two 3DS entries in 2012 and 2014, and an arcade entry in 2016 (there was additionally a Dragon Quest one which stayed unique to Japan — boo!). However this marks the collection’ debut on PlayStation consoles, and it’s first entry and not using a contact display, which, sadly, isn’t probably the most elegant transition.
Controls smart, you will have 4 separate marker sorts. First off is only a single crimson circle; press actually any button on the beat to hit these. Second are the directional markers, and for these, you flick both stick within the route it is dealing with, or typically each sticks in separate instructions. Third are the lengthy notes: hit the button, maintain the notice — pretty easy. You both let go of this notice to the beat on the finish, or there will probably be an arrow immediate to flick the stick.
These three make for a easy, but elegant core of a rhythm sport. It’s the fourth marker that’s the difficulty. Unique to Subject Music Levels (extra on these under) are lengthy notes that journey up and down the display. Now, on the 3DS, this made sense; you maintain the notice as you drag the stylus alongside it. On a controller, as an alternative of following the road, you simply maintain the stick up or down relying on which route it is going – there is not any ability or care wanted. At greatest, it’s boring. At worst, it feels awkward.
The sport is split up into three separate modes of play. Battle Music Levels are the commonest (and albeit, greatest) and consist of 4 separate lanes. Don’t fear, these lanes are all managed by the identical button presses; it’s merely a stylistic selection based mostly on the battle structure of the unique Closing Fantasy along with your get together battling enemies within the background of them. Count on to play these through the extra fast-paced tunes like Airbuster from Closing Fantasy VII Remake. In the meantime, Subject Music Levels see your get together stroll via an space, tackling foes alongside the way in which. This mode solely has one lane to fret about, but it surely’s the one one to characteristic the aforementioned shifting lengthy notes. Anticipate finding chill themes like Terra’s Theme from Closing Fantasy VI right here.
Lastly, Occasion Music Levels are principally the identical as BMS, however the notes come vertical as an alternative of horizontal, and an film performs within the background (like the unique Closing Fantasy opening, or an Introduction Youngsters supercut). Actually, although, we weren’t the most important followers of those. We didn’t play too many, however the movies can look a bit uneven. Fortunately, they’re fully non-obligatory.
Transferring on, it wouldn’t be a Closing Fantasy sport with out RPG parts. Theatrhythm permits you to unlock traditional characters from franchise historical past, every with their very own distinctive expertise and courses. You degree these characters up via merely enjoying songs with them. In the course of the songs your get together will struggle enemies within the background, with how a lot harm you do being tied to how properly you play. It’s a neat addition that retains in keeping with the collection’ roots, whereas including some additional depth — however if you wish to simply ignore it and deal with the rhythm facet of issues, that’s additionally a totally legitimate choice.
The sport has three modes accessible. Collection Quest — which is open from the beginning — is the sport’s story mode equal. On this mode you relive titles within the collection by enjoying their tunes, and also you begin off with the ability to unlock one among six classes. This quickly opens as much as 28 (with a closing twenty ninth being unlocked after six titles are overwhelmed). These embody the 15 core Closing Fantasy video games, clearly, with some extras like Closing Fantasy VII Remake, the Dissidia collection, and Closing Fantasy Techniques. There’s even some weirder ones like Mystic Quest and Chocobo’s Dungeon.
Every tune has a quest hooked up to it to unlock some goodies, too (like art work for the gallery or costumes in your Moogle follower). Some even have modifiers that may change up the gameplay, like enemies doing additional harm or notes shifting sooner. Collection Quest is probably going the place you’ll spend nearly all of your time with the sport, and for good purpose. Not solely is it an awesome construction, it serves as a enjoyable journey via the collection’ historical past.
The opposite two modes are Music Levels — a free play mode for songs you’ve unlocked in Collection Quest — and eventually, Multi Battle. That is an internet mode the place as much as 4 gamers can compete in a high-score battle. You possibly can play honest, or you may play a mode harking back to Guitar Hero III’s battle mode, the place you ship traps to your opponent to mess them up, like Fats Chocobo overlaying half the display, or additional notes being added. We didn’t get an excessive amount of time on-line through the overview interval, but it surely’s a surprisingly enjoyable addition to the sport, and one we are able to see ourselves going again to.
Conclusion
Theatrhythm: Closing Bar Line is a powerful feat. We hit credit on it, however we really feel like we’ve solely scratched the floor of its colossal 400+ tune listing. The love and keenness for the collection is obvious all through each inch of this mission, and we would advocate it to anybody thinking about rhythm video games. Full of absolute bangers, Closing Bar Line will preserve you busy for a very long time.
