PixlBit

 

Hey Pixlbit. So I ended up getting at least one physical game this month. Yay! Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call on 3DS.  I know I'm really late here, but WTF am I not late? Usually by over 20 years? For those not in the know, this is basically Guitar Hero, but with Final Fantasy music. It's a rhythm game where you play through a ton of Final Fantasy music via the stylus or buttons. (I much prefer the buttons)

There's 221 songs. Not counting DLC. Just about every FF game is represented here. I was absolutely ecstatic to discover two songs from Mystic Quest. That game may have been an extremely simplistic RPG, and not to mention a slap in the face to 'Murican gamers... but it sure did have some awesome music! Like the battle theme. It's my favorite out of any FF battle theme.

 

Just listen to that guitar solo!

So far I've played through most of the songs on the easiest setting. Which took about seven hours. I'm planning on tackling medium next. Why bother on easy? Well, you recieve all kinds of items, collectable cards, and rhythmia by playing songs. Rhythmia is used to unlock a TON of bonus content like extra songs, characters, and what not. At times it doesn't seem like crap will ever stop unlocking! The game also keeps records of pretty much everything you do.

Here's a few of my favorite songs.

There's a bit more to the gameplay than simply playing FF music Guitar Hero style. Initially you pick a party of four characters. Characters from just about every FF game are available. I went with Cecil (FF IV), Ramza (FF Tactics) Yuna (FF X-2 version) and Cloud (FF VII). Characters have different stats and abilities they can equip. Which do various things. Like damaging enemies from getting so many critical hits. Buffing stats. Or providing HP boosts during critical moments. Over time you will level up. Stats can also be increased by using cards collected through playing songs. 

When it comes to the actual songs, they are split up into three different categories. Battle Music Stage: Your party "fights" various enemies that drop treasure when defeated. Damage is taken if you miss notes. Field Music Stage: These songs are generally easier and less involved. They also have special kinds of notes where you have to hold down a button while moving the circle pad in certain directions. There's also Event Music Stages. These are special stages where notes fly across the screen in odd fashion. Accompanied by a cutscene in the background. Here's an example.

Then there are Quest Medleys. I haven't played too many of these, but they are more complicated affairs. Here you move around a map playing different songs. Taking winding paths till you eventually get to a boss. You'll find tons of great loot and this is the quickest way to unlock more playable characters.

Would I recommend this game? To fans of rhythm games and Final Fantasy music the answer to that question is an absolute yes. To anybody else? Eh, I don't know. It's probably better than FF XV at least.

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On another note, my laptop is currently out of commission. I desperately need a new power supply. I was working on a review of Earthworm Jim (SNES) but haven't transferred it over to my new PC yet. So if my blog posts are even more sporadic than usual that's why. I don't want to use my new PC to browse the internet. Hopefully I can get a new power supply for my laptop reasonably soon.

Thanks for reading.