Theatrhythm Last Fantasy shortly 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 excellent rhythm video games, however they had been distinctive and utilized among the best compilations of online game scores in music historical past. The Last 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 Last Bar Line final September, with a launch date just some months later, no much less.
I didn’t count on this sequence to make a return, however I had all the time hoped it will, given its predecessor solely lined the franchise by 2014. There are a whole lot of latest, beloved tracks within the sequence between Last Fantasy XIV’s expansions, Last Fantasy XV, Last Fantasy 7 Remake, and different video games launched because the final Theatrhythm. Last 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 current remake), the Nier sequence, The World Ends With You, and Chrono Set off. And after enjoying by 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 Last Bar Line is a must-play for me subsequent month.
Within the almost 10 years between the final sport and Last Bar Line, not a lot has modified. The sequel retains the lovable, chibi artwork model of the primary, the identical sorts of stage codecs, and most of the similar songs, which is nice; it labored in 2012 (and 2014) and it really works right here, too. One huge distinction, although, is the best way you play Last 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 and stylus, the horizontal scroll labored properly, giving gamers a pleasant view of the battles and adventures going down to the tune of your beats. That horizontal scroll returns in Last Bar Line, although it was extra awkward, at first, with out the identical contact display 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, no matter word shade or placement on the scroll’s 4 strains. When a beat with an arrow seems, although, you must use one of many analog sticks and slash it within the path proven. I shortly received right into a rhythm of utilizing my left hand to deal with directional slashes and my proper hand to hit buttons for normal notes. Then the issue superior, and I needed to hit two notes on the similar time shortly adopted by directional slashes. I needed to reconfigure my playstyle because of this, settling into utilizing my proper hand (and a face button) to deal with customary beats, my left hand on the left set off for twin customary 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 in a position to begin tackling songs on the subsequent highest issue.
The presentation of discipline tracks and battle music phases are just like the primary sport – your 4 chosen characters, of which there are dozens to select from spanning a lot of the included video games, both waltz by a easy chibi-esque panorama or combat 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 can be on the horizontal scroll 99 p.c of the track 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 by the particular music video tracks within the last sport, which display iconic cinematics from Last Fantasy titles, as I believe these will characteristic the visible flare I used to be lacking from the usual tracks.
Once you boot up the sport, a flashy Last Fantasy thirty fifth Anniversary emblem seems on display, and for good cause; Last 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 Collection Quests mode, which duties you with finishing aims like defeating a certain quantity of enemies or ending a stage with out taking a sure proportion of injury, you earn particular rewards. It may be an merchandise like a therapeutic potion or a Phoenix Down, but it surely will 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 Last Bar Line’s Last Fantasy celebration.
Within the Museum, you may view your CollectaCard assortment, rewatch movies, hearken to tracks you’ve unlocked, and examine the feats you’ve accomplished. There’s a whole lot of Last Fantasy historical past to devour right here, and completionists are seemingly in for dozens of hours of play to unlock all the pieces.
This iteration of Theatrhythm, like those earlier than it, is nowhere close to the perfect rhythm sport, and amidst those on the market, it actually performs as one of many weirdest. However what Last Bar Line has that different rhythm video games don’t is entry to, for my cash, among the best catalogs of music in all of video games. Enjoying by greater than a dozen of Masashi Hamauzu’s good Last Fantasy XIII tracks is a deal with sufficient; throw within the different 370-something tracks that will likely be within the last sport, and I can’t look ahead to February 16.
You possibly can play the Theatrhythm Last Bar Line demo, which options 30 songs and progress that carries over into the ultimate sport, on February 1.
