Theatrythm: Remaining Bar Line Overview (PS4)

Even if you happen to’re an informal observer of Remaining Fantasy, this isn’t one to overlook. Theatrhythm: Remaining Bar Line collects 385 songs (or 402 if you happen to personal the Deluxe Version) throughout numerous Remaining Fantasy video games, spin-offs, motion pictures, and live shows to create the final word celebration of the 35 yr outdated franchise. Remaining Bar Line is the fourth Theatrhythm Remaining Fantasy recreation 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 with out a contact display screen, which, sadly, isn’t probably the most elegant transition.

Controls sensible, you have got 4 separate marker sorts. First off is only a single purple 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 be aware — pretty easy. You both let go of this be aware to the beat on the finish, or there can be an arrow immediate to flick the stick.

These three make for a easy, but elegant core of a rhythm recreation. It’s the fourth marker that’s the problem. Unique to Discipline Music Levels (extra on these beneath) are lengthy notes that journey up and down the display screen. Now, on the 3DS, this made sense; you maintain the be aware 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 isn’t any talent or care wanted. At finest, it’s boring. At worst, it feels awkward.

The sport is split up into three separate modes of play. Battle Music Levels are the most typical (and admittedly, finest) 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 primarily based on the battle structure of the unique Remaining Fantasy along with your get together battling enemies within the background of them. Anticipate to play these throughout the extra fast-paced tunes like Airbuster from Remaining Fantasy VII Remake. In the meantime, Discipline Music Levels see your get together stroll by an space, tackling foes alongside the best way. This mode solely has one lane to fret about, nevertheless it’s the one one to characteristic the aforementioned transferring lengthy notes. Anticipate finding chill themes like Terra’s Theme from Remaining Fantasy VI right here.

Lastly, Occasion Music Levels are mainly the identical as BMS, however the notes come vertical as an alternative of horizontal, and an film performs within the background (like the unique Remaining Fantasy opening, or an Creation Youngsters supercut). Truthfully, 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 solely non-compulsory.

Shifting on, it wouldn’t be a Remaining Fantasy recreation with out RPG components. Theatrhythm helps you to unlock traditional characters from franchise historical past, every with their very own distinctive abilities and lessons. You stage these characters up by merely enjoying songs with them. Through the songs your get together will combat enemies within the background, with how a lot injury you do being tied to how effectively you play. It’s a neat addition that retains consistent with the collection’ roots, whereas including some additional depth — however if you wish to simply ignore it and deal with the rhythm aspect of issues, that’s additionally a totally legitimate choice.

The sport has three modes accessible. Sequence 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 having the ability to unlock considered one of six classes. This quickly opens as much as 28 (with a ultimate twenty ninth being unlocked after six titles are overwhelmed). These embrace the 15 core Remaining Fantasy video games, clearly, with some extras like Remaining Fantasy VII Remake, the Dissidia collection, and Remaining Fantasy Ways. 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 to your Moogle follower). Some even have modifiers that may change up the gameplay, like enemies doing additional injury or notes transferring sooner. Sequence 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 by the collection’ historical past.

The opposite two modes are Music Levels — a free play mode for songs you’ve unlocked in Sequence Quest — and at last, Multi Battle. That is a web based mode the place as much as 4 gamers can compete in a high-score battle. You’ll be able to play honest, or you may play a mode paying homage 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 screen, or additional notes being added. We didn’t get an excessive amount of time on-line throughout the overview interval, nevertheless it’s a surprisingly enjoyable addition to the sport, and one we will see ourselves going again to.

Conclusion

Theatrhythm: Remaining Bar Line is a formidable 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 challenge, and we would advocate it to anybody thinking about rhythm video games. Filled with absolute bangers, Remaining Bar Line will hold you busy for a very long time.