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Theatrhythm Ultimate 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 have been distinctive and utilized probably the greatest compilations of online game scores in music historical past. The Ultimate 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 Ultimate 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 might, given its predecessor solely coated the franchise by 2014. There are tons of of latest, beloved tracks within the sequence between Ultimate Fantasy XIV’s expansions, Ultimate Fantasy XV, Ultimate Fantasy 7 Remake, and different video games launched because the final Theatrhythm. Ultimate Bar Line is including tracks from these titles and extra, together with different Sq. Enix video games through DLC like Stay A Stay (and its latest remake), the Nier sequence, The World Ends With You, and Chrono Set off. And after taking part in by 30 of the sport’s songs in an advance preview of the demo that’s accessible for everybody beginning February 1, I can safely say Ultimate Bar Line is a must-play for me subsequent month.
Within the practically 10 years between the final recreation and Ultimate 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 identical 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 Ultimate Bar Line. Theatrhythm’s horizontal music scroll that dictated when to hit beats was unusual, particularly given how fashionable vertical music scrolls have 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 effectively, giving gamers a pleasant view of the battles and adventures happening to the tune of your beats. That horizontal scroll returns in Ultimate 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 positive I favored it. You possibly can hit the triggers or any of the 4 face buttons to “faucet” a beat on display, no matter notice colour or placement on the scroll’s 4 strains. When a beat with an arrow seems, although, it’s worthwhile to 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 traditional notes. Then the problem superior, and I needed to hit two notes on the identical time shortly 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 notice has two instructions on it, I’d use my proper thumb on the identical 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 following highest issue.
The presentation of discipline tracks and battle music phases are much like the primary recreation – 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 struggle a chibi enemy from the chosen recreation. 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 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 closing recreation, which display iconic cinematics from Ultimate Fantasy titles, as I feel these will characteristic the visible flare I used to be lacking from the usual tracks.
Once you boot up the sport, a flashy Ultimate Fantasy thirty fifth Anniversary emblem seems on display, and for good cause; Ultimate Bar Line is a rhythm recreation first, but in addition a celebratory museum for the sequence’ iconic music, characters, and tales. As you deal with 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, but it surely 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 a couple of thousand to gather. It’s a pleasant contact that provides some premium nostalgia to Ultimate Bar Line’s Ultimate Fantasy celebration.
Within the Museum, you may view your CollectaCard assortment, rewatch movies, hearken to tracks you’ve unlocked, and look at the feats you’ve accomplished. There’s a variety of Ultimate Fantasy historical past to eat right here, and completionists are doubtless 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 most effective rhythm recreation, and amidst those on the market, it actually performs as one of many weirdest. However what Ultimate Bar Line has that different rhythm video games don’t is entry to, for my cash, probably the greatest catalogs of music in all of video games. Enjoying by greater than a dozen of Masashi Hamauzu’s sensible Ultimate Fantasy XIII tracks is a deal with sufficient; throw within the different 370-something tracks that will probably be within the closing recreation, and I can’t look ahead to February 16.
You possibly can play the Theatrhythm Ultimate Bar Line demo, which options 30 songs and progress that carries over into the ultimate recreation, on February 1.
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