Even when you’re an informal observer of Ultimate Fantasy, this isn’t one to overlook. Theatrhythm: Ultimate Bar Line collects 385 songs (or 402 when you personal the Deluxe Version) throughout numerous Ultimate Fantasy video games, spin-offs, motion pictures, and concert events to create the final word celebration of the 35 yr previous franchise. Ultimate Bar Line is the fourth Theatrhythm Ultimate Fantasy sport 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 smart, you could have 4 separate marker varieties. 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 path it is going through, or typically each sticks in separate instructions. Third are the lengthy notes: hit the button, maintain the notice — pretty easy. You both let go of this notice to the beat on the finish, or there will likely be an arrow immediate to flick the stick.
These three make for a easy, but elegant core of a rhythm sport. It’s the fourth marker that’s the difficulty. Unique to Subject Music Phases (extra on these under) are lengthy notes that journey up and down the display screen. Now, on the 3DS, this made sense; you maintain the notice as you drag the stylus alongside it. On a controller, as a substitute of following the road, you simply maintain the stick up or down relying on which path it is going – there is no 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 Phases 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 alternative primarily based on the battle structure of the unique Ultimate Fantasy together with your occasion battling enemies within the background of them. Count on to play these in the course of the extra fast-paced tunes like Airbuster from Ultimate Fantasy VII Remake. In the meantime, Subject Music Phases see your occasion 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 function the aforementioned transferring lengthy notes. Look forward to finding chill themes like Terra’s Theme from Ultimate Fantasy VI right here.
Lastly, Occasion Music Phases are mainly the identical as BMS, however the notes come vertical as a substitute of horizontal, and an film performs within the background (like the unique Ultimate Fantasy opening, or an Introduction Kids supercut). Actually, 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 completely non-obligatory.
Shifting on, it wouldn’t be a Ultimate Fantasy sport with out RPG parts. Theatrhythm allows you to unlock traditional characters from franchise historical past, every with their very own distinctive abilities and courses. You degree these characters up by merely enjoying songs with them. Through the songs your occasion will combat enemies within the background, with how a lot harm you do being tied to how properly you play. It’s a neat addition that retains in keeping 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. Collection 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 with the ability to unlock one in every of six classes. This quickly opens as much as 28 (with a ultimate twenty ninth being unlocked after six titles are crushed). These embody the 15 core Ultimate Fantasy video games, clearly, with some extras like Ultimate Fantasy VII Remake, the Dissidia collection, and Ultimate Fantasy Techniques. There’s even some weirder ones like Mystic Quest and Chocobo’s Dungeon.
Every track has a quest connected to it to unlock some goodies, too (like paintings for the gallery or costumes to your Moogle follower). Some even have modifiers that may change up the gameplay, like enemies doing additional harm or notes transferring sooner. Collection Quest is probably going the place you’ll spend the vast majority of your time with the sport, and for good motive. Not solely is it an awesome construction, it serves as a enjoyable journey by the collection’ historical past.
The opposite two modes are Music Phases — a free play mode for songs you’ve unlocked in Collection Quest — and at last, Multi Battle. That is an internet mode the place as much as 4 gamers can compete in a high-score battle. You possibly can play honest, or you’ll be able to 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 protecting half the display screen, or additional notes being added. We didn’t get an excessive amount of time on-line in the course of the evaluation interval, nevertheless it’s a surprisingly enjoyable addition to the sport, and one we will see ourselves going again to.
Conclusion
Theatrhythm: Ultimate Bar Line is a powerful feat. We hit credit on it, however we really feel like we’ve solely scratched the floor of its colossal 400+ track listing. The love and keenness for the collection is obvious all through each inch of this mission, and we would suggest it to anybody inquisitive about rhythm video games. Full of absolute bangers, Ultimate Bar Line will preserve you busy for a very long time.