Theatrhythm Final Fantasy for Nintendo 3DS Reviews by Gamers

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy is a game that boasts a good rhythm experience, although non-FF fans will not truly appreciate the amount of love this game was given.

There are three songs from each game in the series, from Final Fantasy to Final Fantasy XIII, although DLC is also available. There are three different rhythm games based on the type of song (Credits, Battle, Exploration and End Credits) each with their own level of difficulty and differentiating gameplay mechanics.

There are also more difficulty levels to unlock by playing the game, as well as characters for you "party" and the better you do, the more your "party" levels up. The art style is a bit cutesy, but really, if you are a lover of Final Fantasy music, this game is perfect for you, it encompasses everything about Final Fantasy's History, good and bad and makes it a beautiful rhythm experience.

This game is not that deep, complex, difficult, or even a good bargain. Something about it, however, keeps me tapping, sliding, and holding. There are three different difficulties for each song and feel appropriate for the game. Basic and Expert offer intro and reasonable difficulty respectively affording an experience anyone can start up and do well in if they have some finger dexterity. Ultimate (the 3rd difficulty) provides a stiff speed challenge with bonus missions delivering even more songs and challenge. Personally, I am decent at Expert with Ultimate and the Choas Shrine providing a challenge that will last many extra hours.

You have to like the basic idea, however, and it is really thin at that. You have FF characters from the series you can use and level up, but the best points come from having nothing equipped and doing perfect which would negate any reason for health, abilities or items. The rpg element is pure fluff, but it does give a nice personality to what could have any other music game.

But how about that music, right? So that is what this is all about. If you used to spend hours humming along to FF music while level grinding or leaving it on pause for 3 hours while you did other things because you never once thought about turning the music down in the background - then get this game. There is more music to buy through the e-shop that provides a nice addition to those who want it without any need to buy anything more then desired. Some may say $.99 a song is too much, but at $39.99 retail and containing (13 FF x 3 songs each + a few bonus songs say 5-10) 50 or so included on the cartridge makes it almost a dollar a song at purchase. There are several dark notes (bonus songs in the Chaos Shrine) to open but they are the most challenging songs in the game and many are simply repeated with different stylus patterns. They are not for everyone. Personally I bought about 11 extra songs. I looked them up on Youtube and picked the ones I liked.