Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call Reviews
While Theatrhythm Final Fantasy was a great tribute to the franchise's music, Curtain Call goes the extra mile with tons of additional content to become the definitive game in the series.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is a massive dose of nostalgia for Final Fantasy fans, and even though it's very similar to its predecessor, there are plenty of reasons to continue your journey down memory lane.
A top-notch game bursting at the seams with Final Fantasy nostalgia.
Some won't like the piecemeal unlocking method that Curtain Call employs, but if you're a fan of Final Fantasy (and why would you buy this if you weren't?) you'll be used to slow openings, as the game rewards your loyalty and time. The biggest question is whether you'll want to revisit the Theatrhythm world to get the larger song-list, and new Quest mode, and that makes it a tough sell, despite its pick up and play nature.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is far more than a lazy expansion to the original release. The volume of extra content is truly impressive, but it also shakes up the formula with new modes to give the experience a fresh feel. Terrific music and tight controls are the stars, while competitive players will surely get a kick out of the online mode; whether you're a fan of music rhythm games, Final Fantasy or both, this is a must buy.
I think at the end of the day, the biggest question I have to answer for this review to be of any worth is a simple one. "Is this game only for FF fans or is it for rhythm game fans?" The answer to that is as follows. Both and either.
Considering that it has almost the entire first game housed within it with expanded modes, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is a no-brainer for people who never bit the first time around, as well as returning players who are looking to play some extra songs. It still has some of the same series trappings due to its similar nature, but even if you just tackle every song once in free play it's worth the price of entry.
Two years ago, Final Fantasy fans were treated to a musical celebration with Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy. A rhythm game first and foremost, it tasked players to relive past Final Fantasy moments through key songs found in core titles, ranging from Final Fantasy I, all the way to Final Fantasy XIII. Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy Curtain Call is a more updated version of the first game, rebalancing the gameplay, adding new modes, and most importantly, giving players over 200 songs to play. Let's just say, if you've enjoyed the first, you're in for quite a treat with Curtain Call.
Curtain Call is a nice and "fixed" update to the original Theatrhythm, which while good already, is made better and with a few additional little tracks tossed in. Rhythm gamers will definitely find some challenge with the most difficult levels (though not anything lower, they're super-easy to perfectly combo). Final Fantasy nerds can still scratch that itch without having to dedicate three hours at a time to leveling up and reaching new towns, and for anybody else, it's an easy portable distraction worth the time and cash. Is it perfect? Nope. But it's more than good enough.
Curtain Call is every bit as addictive as the original and the new control options and adjustments to unlocking content make it even more enjoyable to play.
Still, my plucky band of characters, some favorites and some third-rate, had dungeons to conquer through the power of music. Square Enix pushed this concept much further in Curtain Call, which makes this the ideal proof-of-concept for its odd rhythm-RPG marriage. It's too bad that now that the company has shown how well it can work, it's taking a bow.
Simply put, I've been unable to put Curtain Call down. If you enjoy Final Fantasy and rhythm games, I highly suggest you snap up this game and experience some of the best music gaming has to offer.
At the end of the day, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is about the music. It delivers the most comprehensive package of Final Fantasy jams short of something outrageous like a 50-disc box set containing every soundtrack in the series. For that alone, it's a must-have for any Final Fantasy fan or videogame music fan in general.
Square Enix did exactly what they should have done when preparing a sequel to their RPG rhythm game Theatrhythm Final Fantasy—they made every one of its elements better. Curtain Call not only builds upon what made the original great and makes it even better, but also brings additions that take the series in an exciting new direction.
It may not be a great rhythm/JRPG, but it's a solid FF rhythm game, and for fans, that's probably enough.
Even if you are madly in love with the music of Final Fantasy, this has so many deep cuts that you may find yourself putting it down slightly more than the original
Addressing many of its predecessor's flaws and dramatically increasing its amount of content, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is definitely worth playing for fans of the original, as well as anyone looking for a fun rhythm game.
Once you crack the 20,000 rhythmia mark, Curtain Call interrupts whatever you're doing in order to introduce one final medley that celebrates the history and evolution of the series.
These complaints are rather minor in the grand scheme of things, because Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is a fantastic tour of the series' musical history and an entertaining game to boot. It successfully combines the RPG addictions of leveling and customizing characters with the rhythm game addiction of mastering songs. Veterans of the first game and newcomers alike will enjoy its huge catalog of songs and fun features. If you like Final Fantasy and its music, you should absolutely grab a copy of this game.
Ghosts of nights hunched in front of a television, slowly spiraling up the Tower of Babil; squinting at blurry Chocograph pieces; running FATEs in hopes of an Atma drop. We live in these games for a spell, in a liminal universe—ones constructed for profit by Square-Enix, of course—but also co-constructed by ourselves. Little wonder that Curtain Call feels a bit like home.