It simply is sensible

You understand what’s actually good? Remaining Fantasy music. I’m not the form of one who places online game music of their walking-around playlists, however I’ll often pop in a pair of earbuds and easily vibe on the Remaining Fantasy VII soundtrack. It’s nice within the context of the video games – Remaining Fantasy as a franchise performs host to a few of the most evocative JRPG battle themes of all time – however it’s additionally simply enjoyable and nice to hearken to.

So the philosophy behind Theatrhythm Remaining Bar Line is sensible. No one on this planet will let you know that the music of Nobuo Uematsu is unhealthy. Even the “worst” Remaining Fantasy soundtrack is a vibe. Why not make that the entire recreation? The thought has labored a handful of instances earlier than (the primary two Theatrhythm video games, the arcade spinoff, Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Reminiscence, the Japan-exclusive Theatrhythm Dragon Quest), so it ought to work once more.

Yeah, it really works

The excellent news is that Theatrhythm, not less than within the recently-released demo, is nearly as good because it’s ever been. Tapping, sliding, and flicking to the beat nonetheless feels nice. Developer indieszero has confirmed its competence within the rhythm gaming house time after time, and it looks like Theatrhythm Remaining Bar Line will proceed the pattern.

For essentially the most half, that is Theatrhythm because it’s at all times been. You assemble a small occasion of doll-like Remaining Fantasy characters and head right into a stage the place you’ll faucet to the beat of various Remaining Fantasy tunes. Within the demo, songs are separated into Subject Levels – normally city themes, overworld exploration songs, and different chilled-out tracks – and Battle Levels – intense battle themes. The ultimate recreation will even function phases with cinematics from varied Remaining Fantasy video games, however I haven’t had the possibility to attempt these but.

Selection is the spice of life

Remaining Bar Line, like its Theatrhythm ancestors, does a superb job of constructing Subject Levels and Battle Levels really feel completely different. The basics are precisely the identical; you faucet when a crimson circle reveals up, you maintain when a inexperienced circle reveals up, and also you flick everytime you see an arrow. However Subject Levels function sliding notes, which make them really feel considerably extra free and flowing than the thumping, heavy Battle Levels, the place the main focus is much less on motion and extra on retaining monitor of your fingers. The builders have additionally performed a superb job of adapting the touch-based controls of the collection to a standard controller. I performed the demo on a Nintendo Swap and it solely took one monitor for me to completely modify to the brand new management scheme.

The sport can get powerful, too. Each track has not less than three problem ranges: Normal, Knowledgeable, and Final. Some songs additionally function an excellent more durable “Supreme” problem. These are actually horrible problem labels, however the ranges themselves are very good. Supreme songs will genuinely problem hardcore rhythm gaming fans, whereas infants like me will really feel incredible clearing an Knowledgeable stage monitor – sounds higher than “second-easiest,” doesn’t it?

Each monitor may also be performed in co-op mode, and my girlfriend and I performed round with {that a} bit. We discovered the two-player choices each bit as satisfying as they had been in Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Reminiscence‘s best-in-class co-op mode, and I’m glad to have a brand new multiplayer rhythm recreation in my pocket.

Not a lot RPG right here

The one space the place Theatrhythm Remaining Bar Line isn’t singing for me simply but is its RPG core. Like the primary two Theatrhythm video games, Remaining Bar Line includes a rudimentary leveling system. Each character can unlock completely different talents, and you may assemble a celebration of 4 from a staggering variety of Remaining Fantasy characters. There are additionally equippable summons, therapeutic gadgets, and a handful of different RPG programs. In concept, there ought to be a ton of customizability. Sadly, none of those talents really feel like they do something.

Healers make it doable to overlook a couple of extra notes than regular, and attackers will interact in little battles on the underside of the display screen which are presumably impacted by their stats and skills, however none of this feels impactful in any respect. In some methods, I get the sense that Remaining Bar Line suffers from its launch window. I by no means minded the comparatively shoddy rhythm “fight” in earlier titles, however having simply seen Hello-Fi Rush nail this format, it does really feel slightly disappointing. My efficiency doesn’t appear to have any affect on the idle recreation that’s taking place beneath the notes, so I can’t convey myself to care an excessive amount of about what occurs down there.

It’s doable that occasion composition will really feel way more thrilling within the full recreation, however not less than within the demo, it looks like a principally superfluous system. It’s enjoyable to have Alphinaud and Aerith battle facet by facet, however I’m unsure what they’re really doing.

A promising overture

Total, I really feel actually good about Theatrhythm Remaining Bar Line. The modular problem makes it straightforward to discover a candy spot, the completely different tracks really feel various and attention-grabbing, and the co-op choices are fantastic. I hope the RPG bits get extra participating and attention-grabbing as the sport goes on, and I’m wanting ahead to seeing what else the title has to supply.

That is the form of recreation I’ve been itching for, and I’m glad it’s lastly right here. I by no means doubted that Sq. Enix and indieszero might make a enjoyable Remaining Fantasy rhythm recreation, and it’s good to be confirmed proper.