Theatrhythm : Final Fantasy coming this summer

[EddieA]

The 3DS rhythm game featuring Final Fantasy music and characters is coming to the US and Europe this summer.  I've been looking forward to this game since it was announced, so I'm glad I won't have to wait much longer to play it.

[Eel Snave]

And the reviews are in. Against all odds, this game looks great:

The whole concept of building a party, outfitting them will skills and equipment, and leveling them up over the course of 40 plus songs is really a lot of fun, and insanely addictive.

Although the RPG elements feel a bit wasted, the varied gameplay options, scaled difficulty settings, and plethora of unlockable goodies still make for an excellent rhythm experience.

The varying levels of difficulty, heavy emphasis on fan service and inviting gameplay make Theatrhythm a great way to celebrate the franchise's legacy.

I love being able to appreciate these classics in a new way. I'll always get a chill listening to the intense orchestral version of "One-Winged Angel" or the happy-go-lucky chocobo theme. The tacked-on progression system may be unsatisfying, but it doesn't stop Theatrhythm from being a fun, simple rhythm game with an amazing musical library.

This may be a pickup.

[EddieA]

The game is fantastic.  The rhythm mechanics are great (although not quite up to Elite Beat Agents standards) but it's the whole package that really makes it special.  The story and challenge modes are fun, but the main bulk of gameplay is in the Chaos Shrine mode.  Here, you play 2-song sets that include songs from story mode, alternate versions of them, and some additional songs.  Depending on how well you fair in the first part, you face one of three bosses, and it's here where the RPG elements come into play.  Even if you get all the notes right, you won't defeat the boss unless you're sufficiently levelled and equipped.  This mode is incredibly addictive, as it allows you to unlock tons of things, from 240+ collector cards to additional characters.  I can easily see myself spending 50+ hours on this game.

[Bullwinkle]

I love the idea of this, but my FF knowledge encompasses FF1, 3/4 of FFVII, and not having finished the linear part of FFXIII.

[Gratch]

This game almost makes me want a 3DS.  Almost. 

[The Grue]

Just gonna say that the game is fantastic.  Love every aspect of it.

[EddieA]

I love the idea of this, but my FF knowledge encompasses FF1, 3/4 of FFVII, and not having finished the linear part of FFXIII.

You don't really need to know anything about FF to play the game.  You won't get as much out of all the references, but it's still a great game on its own merits.

[faide]

This game is freaking awesome.  That is all 

[Misguided]

I don't know...

I loved the Ouendan games, but haven't found anything nearly as good since (Rhythm Heaven was ok). Would you recommend it for an Ouendan fan that wasn't big into FF? The best part of Ouendan (aside from the stories) was the note charts. You often felt like you were performing to the music in a sense. Not sure these look as interesting.

[EddieA]

I don't know...

I loved the Ouendan games, but haven't found anything nearly as good since (Rhythm Heaven was ok). Would you recommend it for an Ouendan fan that wasn't big into FF? The best part of Ouendan (aside from the stories) was the note charts. You often felt like you were performing to the music in a sense. Not sure these look as interesting.

It's not as good as Ouendan, but then again, nothing is  It's close, though.  I've run into some instances where the notes don't seem to completely align with the music, but most of the time, it really does feel like you're in sync with the music.  Square Enix released a demo in Europe, and I have no clue why they haven't released it in the US yet.

[Eel Snave]

Yeah, I've only really played FF I, IV, V, VI and VII and I'm still enjoying this game quite a bit. The tons of unlockables and the great way that the music syncs up is very impressive.

[Misguided]

Ok, so I picked it up today. Only played a bit but neat so far. Any tips?

[EddieA]

Ok, so I picked it up today. Only played a bit but neat so far. Any tips?

The two main modes - Series/Challenges and Chaos Shrine are meant to be played differently, so I keep a different team for each.  You get a 2 million point bonus for not using any skills in Series/Challenge mode, so I keep one team for that mode with no skills equipped.  I use my other team for Chaos Shrine, where you need to use skills and items in order to be able to defeat the bosses.  It takes a few seconds to switch out the team members, but it's quicker than unequipping and reequipping your team each time you change modes.

[Misguided]

Do you switch team members out in challenge mode when doing a battle song (for strength) vs the other types (for agility) or just use one team all the time?

I don't follow why you say it would be quicker to swap party members out when you can equip or unequip your entire team with two clicks.

[EddieA]

Do you switch team members out in challenge mode when doing a battle song (for strength) vs the other types (for agility) or just use one team all the time?

I don't follow why you say it would be quicker to swap party members out when you can equip or unequip your entire team with two clicks.

I didn't realize you could re-equip your whole team with one button    I saw the "unequip all" button and assumed you'd have to re-equip them all individually.  Still, I like having two teams for variety, plus there's a better chance you'll get the bonus rhythmia for using a character from the song's game.  If anyone else has any questions I can answer incorrectly, I'm all ears 

[Misguided]

I *think* you can, but I need to check. Went I went to re-equip earlier, it only did one character. I think you may have to save the default setup for each character individually.

Did my first couple of chaos shrine runs....man they get tricksy!

[The Grue]

Did my first couple of chaos shrine runs....man they get tricksy!

Wait until you get to the ones that are level 95+!