Well, it took a while, but the 3DS has finally produced that magical moment that literally had me in tears. I can’t believe it took so long for Square Enix to realise the raw power of the Final Fantasy music and turn it into a rhythm game.
The demo of Theatrythm had just two songs on it – and not even the best songs in the Final Fantasy music library, but it had me shivering in expectation for the full release of the game.
What impressed me most about the game, though, is how well it plays to its strengths. As a rhythm game it naturally needed to use the touch screen, and under normal circumstances this would draw the player’s attention away from the top screen. But not here. Here the touch screen controls are designed in such a way that you don’t need to be looking at the dull bottom screen. Instead you can focus on the touch screen which is filled with Final Fantasy goodness. There was summons, there are Chocobos and Moogles. Every few seconds in the demo something happened that made me want to laugh along with the fan service.
Much like the Dissidia games, Theatrhythm understands the heritage and prestiege of the Final Fantasy games. Where Dissidia focused on the characters, which many people have developed an emotional attachment to through playing the games, Theatrhythm relies on something far more primal – the emotional impact of the music.
This is a game you don’t need to necessarily know the Final Fantasy games to enjoy (though it certainly helps). It’s a testament to the enduring nature of the music compositions that they hold up so well as standalone music tracks all these years later. Turning that into a game? A masterstroke.
Hats off to Square Enix for also understanding that people aren’t necessarily playing this game to be challenged. That’s not to say it’s easy – failure on the highest difficulty level is quite likely until you learn the song – but the simple swipes and screen taps in this game are a far less intense experience than something like Rhythm Heaven, and it’s again because the game wants you focusing on the music collection than the actual game. To me, Theatrhythm is more an experience than a game, and it’s the better for it.
The only disappointment is that the game is exclusive to Final Fantasy music, and I would have loved for it to include some music from other classic Square Enix games (Nier especially). That said, the fact the full version of this game will be DLC-supported means there should be plenty of longevity to it regardless.
I really can’t wait for the full version of this game. It gets all the small details right and it’s focused on the emotional core of one of the most beloved series of games in gaming history. I can’t think of a better concept for a game. As far as I’m concerned, this is the 3DS’ killer app.
Even though I have not played every mainline game in the series, I adore the music. This was an obvious buy, so I used the gift card I won from a GameFAQs monthly review contest and pre-ordered it on Amazon. July 3rd, here I come.
I can't wait for my copy to arrive so I can run a full review on it. Assuming the quality that's in the demo holds up (and I just know it will), this is going to be one very positive experience & review.
Thanks as always for dropping by! 🙂
people are way too less demanding. praising a rhythm game as the biggest thing on a 3d handheld machine.. well, yes.. so much for the credibility of the author.
I'm sorry? What game, exactly, should I be demanding before I get to be a credible author?
A game that takes the music of possibly my favourite game series (that I have been playing for 15+ years, no less) and puts it together into a game that is clearly a gift to fans first, and a rhythm game second, is a game that I am fully entitled to get excited over.
I'm looking forward to this, but there are so many songs in the series I have enjoyed over the years, and the premise of the game looks interesting to me.
Oh man, I totally know how you felt. I got to try the demo on a friend's 3DS and it was just… so amazing. You may think you love the music, but playing it again in a different medium like this is really something special (as opposed to just listening to it over and over again, as I am wont to do).
I like how you mentioned that it doesn't require you to look down at the bottom screen. The problem I had with Ouendan was I felt you had to spend too much time looking at the bottom when there was so much interesting stuff going on on the top screen, too.
Though I didn't find the demo too hard per say, I did think the difficult mode was pretty tough and can see it being very intense for some songs.
Also, let it be known that now they've announced that NA/EU will be getting the DLC, I'm confident that the DLC songs will be my first DLC purchases for a game… ever (it's true, I've never bought DLC before!).
Er… Any idea why I'm marked as a mod? Or does mod not have the same meaning in this fancy new version of Disqus
Yeah, I did a little jump for joy when I heard about the DLC. Unlike you I have bought DLC before, but this is possibly the first time I've been *excited* for DLC. Trust Square Enix to attack my wallet so aggressively.
It's because you're special, that's why.
… to be honest, no idea. There's still a few bugs they need to iron out in this new version of Disqus.
Oh, now it's gone. Maybe it just means the comment needed to be moderated? Hmmm