Theatrhythm Final Fantasy

 3DS
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 127 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 95 out of 127
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 127
  3. Negative: 14 out of 127
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  1. Rirath
    Oct 2, 2012
    8
    Theatrhythm is something of a contradiction. It's surprisingly forgiving, yet at times can be surprisingly difficult. It's quite casual, yet offers little to appeal to non-fans. It's grind intensive, yet with little to actually unlock. It's all over the spectrum and frankly, a bit of a mess. The opening sections of the game are by far its worse, and it's not until you unlock the UltimateTheatrhythm is something of a contradiction. It's surprisingly forgiving, yet at times can be surprisingly difficult. It's quite casual, yet offers little to appeal to non-fans. It's grind intensive, yet with little to actually unlock. It's all over the spectrum and frankly, a bit of a mess. The opening sections of the game are by far its worse, and it's not until you unlock the Ultimate difficulty stages in challenge mode and the later Dark Notes in the Chaos Shrine that the game really comes alive.

    The RPG system built on top of the rhythm game is mostly cosmetic, though does come into play in the later Dark Notes and Ultimate scores. You'll need a strong agility to get to the boss 2/3 way-point in the field, and having higher strength / offensive abilities is a near necessity to actually take them out in time and earn shards. Likewise, having higher health, healing abilities, and restorative items makes Ultimate scores much easier to complete.

    I got the 10,000 Rhythmia required to face the final boss in around 6-8 hours, but completing all of the Ultimate scores, getting to level 99 with your party, getting a lvl. 99 Dark Note, getting all the trophiesm and unlocking all of the characters through collecting shards will take far, far longer. Getting 99,999 Rhythmia will take even longer still. I currently have just under 18K in about 13.5 hours. The question is, how much any of that matters to you.

    Characters are all almost the same, making your party little more than a cosmetic choice. And while the Dark Notes are generated in such a way to make them appear nearly unique each time, which keeps them funner longer than the series mode, the two songs per note are picked from a choice of a mere 9 per stage. What a waste, but these become little more than background music to the action soon enough.

    Despite my complaints, Theatrhythm is a fun game that is easy as can be to pick up and play. It oozes charm with its art, it appeals to fans through nostalgia, and it has some pretty decent staying power thanks to the Chaos Shrine. It's forgiving enough on the timing that it's rarely frustrating, yet still gets fast and challenging enough to keep it worthwhile. And if you're willing to fork out the dollar per track, there's plenty more music to be had as well. Though, I have to wonder if, perhaps, the DLC stole from us what may have been otherwise a much larger track list to unlock.    … Expand
  2. NSnake151
    Jul 3, 2012
    10
    All right, I may be biased. I love final fantasy, and I love Chibi Lightning. But Theatrhytm is really good fun. The foundation of the game, the music, is not only drawn from some of the best soundtracks around, but easily some of the best in gaming; making for a fantastic rhythm game. I can easily play some of the songs over and over again, especially the Sunleth Waterscape and theAll right, I may be biased. I love final fantasy, and I love Chibi Lightning. But Theatrhytm is really good fun. The foundation of the game, the music, is not only drawn from some of the best soundtracks around, but easily some of the best in gaming; making for a fantastic rhythm game. I can easily play some of the songs over and over again, especially the Sunleth Waterscape and the Seymour Battle theme. And despite a genre which I initially expected to being non conducive to classic FF grinding and collecting, earning new songs and characters makes playing it so, so much more engaging, and adds hours and hours of playtime, even if you are not a fan of the series. In short, the game is a blast and one of the few portable games where I turn the volume to the max.
    Ps: I got the bonus sticker set, LOVIN IT.    … Expand
  3. Bluemoo27
    Jul 3, 2012
    9
    If you are an avid fan of Final Fantasy this is a must buy. The nostalgia meter is through the roof on this one, and there is a large amount of substance to the game beyond tapping along to songs. I have played many 3DS games and not one of them has ever made me motion sick. The 3D in this game coupled with the moving targets made me sick to my stomach after about 30 minutes of play. But,If you are an avid fan of Final Fantasy this is a must buy. The nostalgia meter is through the roof on this one, and there is a large amount of substance to the game beyond tapping along to songs. I have played many 3DS games and not one of them has ever made me motion sick. The 3D in this game coupled with the moving targets made me sick to my stomach after about 30 minutes of play. But, I powered through it because I'm a champ, and this is an awesome game! I would consider this the first decent game Square has made about Final Fantasy since XII.… Expand
  4. NirvanicPanic
    Jul 3, 2012
    10
    An excellent title for anyone who appreciates video game music of the past 25 years, fantastically addicting for the hardcore Final Fantasy fan, and by far the best rhythm-game for a handheld console to date.
  5. Dyskresiac
    Jul 5, 2012
    10
    I'm gonna make this short: There's a LOT more to this game than screenshots lead you to believe. I'm 7 hours in and not even a fraction of the way through the content. This game is a rabbit hole, and you WILL be sucked in.
  6. Chancedeath
    Jul 5, 2012
    9
    I have to admit, the high reviews of this game by users is most likely due to the fact of the nostalgia you get from the games. But that is not all. This is one of the best rhythm games I have played with tons of songs, great controls and the ability to play it for hours. It has the pick-up and play aspects and the "just one more song" that most rhythm games don't have so it is perfectI have to admit, the high reviews of this game by users is most likely due to the fact of the nostalgia you get from the games. But that is not all. This is one of the best rhythm games I have played with tons of songs, great controls and the ability to play it for hours. It has the pick-up and play aspects and the "just one more song" that most rhythm games don't have so it is perfect for the handheld.

    Its fun, light-hearted, and way to cute. Absolutely fantastic.    … Expand
  7. Mysticales
    Jul 5, 2012
    10
    Excellent! Easy to get the DLC songs and hopefully more to come. A true tribute to FF Music lovers without a FF series being left out. Something for everyone and enough eye candy to keep you entertained! If you loved Elite Beat Agents. You will love this game with its improved features for a rhythm game!
  8. IrishChai
    Dec 28, 2012
    10
    I love this game! I was never a big Final Fantasy fan, but the music has been undeniably remarkable for the RPG industry as a whole. I am also a big rhythm/music genre fan so I was looking forward to what they would do with this title. It's inspiring me to go back to play the older Final Fantasy games that I missed years ago. You don't need to be a fan of Final Fantasy games to enjoy this,I love this game! I was never a big Final Fantasy fan, but the music has been undeniably remarkable for the RPG industry as a whole. I am also a big rhythm/music genre fan so I was looking forward to what they would do with this title. It's inspiring me to go back to play the older Final Fantasy games that I missed years ago. You don't need to be a fan of Final Fantasy games to enjoy this, but be warned that you might become a fan based on the music and glimpses of classic JRPG on show here. It also adds a lot of replay value by gaining loot and levels every time you play a song, with the goal of beating the most enemies with the least mistakes in rhythm. Once beating a song on one level, there's an expert version and the ultimate version. Then you also have dark notes, DLC, unlockable FF characters, collectible digital cards, and more to keep you coming back. It's a great purchase overall and very entertaining.… Expand
  9. MrWhiggy
    Jul 12, 2012
    9
    This game is a trip down memory lane; a very enjoyable one at that. At least one character from every game is available from the start, with the ability to unlock at least one other per title (for some, two more), which is great because you can pick your favourites from the start. Each title starts with three songs, but as you play more you'll unlock new songs. Normally, I'd be angry atThis game is a trip down memory lane; a very enjoyable one at that. At least one character from every game is available from the start, with the ability to unlock at least one other per title (for some, two more), which is great because you can pick your favourites from the start. Each title starts with three songs, but as you play more you'll unlock new songs. Normally, I'd be angry at DLC in a game like this. But Japan has already received obscure tracks, like 'Somnus' from Versus XIII, which I'd love to get my hands on. Any rhythm or Final Fantasy fan will enjoy this game - a fan of both will love it.… Expand
  10. PMD_RODNEY
    Jul 8, 2012
    10
    This is the first game for the 3DS that I have had to force myself to stop playing. This superb title has enough achievements and collectables to keep you playing well into the night. Addictive rhythm gameplay coupled with the great sounds of the Final Fantasy series makes this a must have for 3DS owners.
  11. kaldric30
    Jul 7, 2012
    8
    For those who are wondering, this is a Final Fantasy Guitar Hero for your 3DS. Great sound tracks we all know and love spanning over all their popular titles.
  12. Ernste
    May 21, 2014
    8
    Buy a screen protector, paste it follow the instruction,leave screen protector for 24hrs, and never look at your 3ds bottom screen after you play stylus intense game, if you are ok with it ,this will be a great tittle!
  13. jasonpresents
    Aug 19, 2012
    9
    OK let's get the obvious out of the way, if your a Final Fantasy fan keep reading, if not don't bother with this game at all. I have personally played every FF bar XI, and XIV is not present in this game, and I can safely say the game achieves exactly what it sets out to do. It is a homage to FF games of days gone past, dealing with numbered iterations ranging from I to XIII, set to aOK let's get the obvious out of the way, if your a Final Fantasy fan keep reading, if not don't bother with this game at all. I have personally played every FF bar XI, and XIV is not present in this game, and I can safely say the game achieves exactly what it sets out to do. It is a homage to FF games of days gone past, dealing with numbered iterations ranging from I to XIII, set to a backdrop of a rhythm action game. The rhythm action elements are simplistic at first, not getting in the way of all the nostalgia, but speaking as someone who has unlocked all 64 in-game trophies, I can safely say the game poses a serious challenge later on. There is a hidden depth to this game in regards to the RPG elements and a chaos shrine; the former I didn't even begin to grasp until at least 20 hours in, and the latter adds an interesting twist to the game play which I will discuss later. The game play itself is split into battle stages, field music stages and event stages, with each providing a different twist on the rhythm action set pieces. Your characters also gain experience and level up after each stage; as well as this successful completion of each stage is rewarded with rhythmia points which unlock more and more songs, characters etc. In the chaos shrine two random songs are picked comprising of a field stage followed by a battle stage, these two random songs comprise a note and the note is based on your characters level. In the second stage you fight one of three bosses depending on your performance across the two stages, with the third boss dropping crystal shards which are necessary to unlock more characters. In the first stage you must have high agility stats to travel far to get to fight the second or third boss, and in the second stage you must have high attack and magic stats to defeat the bosses, so a balanced party is in order. The reason for the long explanation in a review is the most amount of criticism thrown at this game in reviews seems to be in regards to the RPG elements in the game, as most don't seem to understand the point; well, there is one and it adds a whole lot more depth to the game if your willing to learn. For those of you who just want to hear your favorite tunes and take a more passive approach to the game, 80 percent of the games songs are unlocked from the start and there for you to play, not to mention almost 40 downloadable songs now available. If your a FF fan I really don't think you will be disappointed unless you despise rhythm action games. There is a never ending polemical debate as to what the best FF is, but the one element that brings cohesion to all these debating groups is the music. Square Enix recognizes this and made a clever decision to have it as the focus of it's 25th anniversary tribute to the franchise. My only minor criticism of the game is in regards to the event stages, as although these are the most instantly gratifying (rhythm piece set to the backdrop of FMV sequences from the iteration of the game you are playing) these become tiresome after a while due to their repetitive nature. I personally clocked up 106 hours unlocking all the in game content and trophies, and feel like I got my moneys worth. 9/10… Expand
  14. Happymonk
    Sep 25, 2012
    9
    Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy is a fantastic game, and this is coming from someone who has only played Final Fantasy: III, IV, and the sequel to XII on the DS. The music is what makes the game (obviously), and it is all very good and fun to listen to through headphones. What I was surprised by is the amount of content in the game, 39 songs doesn't sound like much, but there are three modes toTheatrhythm: Final Fantasy is a fantastic game, and this is coming from someone who has only played Final Fantasy: III, IV, and the sequel to XII on the DS. The music is what makes the game (obviously), and it is all very good and fun to listen to through headphones. What I was surprised by is the amount of content in the game, 39 songs doesn't sound like much, but there are three modes to play these songs: Series, this is kind of the "main" mode in the game and consists of you playing the songs from each Final Fantasy game in order. There are three difficulty options, Basic, Expert and Ultimate. Basic is very easy and is really recommended for those new to the game, Expert can put up quite a challenge but is still not too hard, as I was able to play every song up to at least an "A" grade, and Ultimate can get very difficult, but not to the level of snapping your 3DS in half. Challenge mode is just playing the songs any way you like it, but it has the aim of getting an "A" rating in order to unlock the next difficulty, which most people shouldn't have a major problem with, other than replaying a few tracks to get that "A". The third mode gives you two random songs to play at a very high difficulty level called Dark Notes, in order to unlock another Dark Note you have to simply finish both songs, but this is a challenge in of itself (there are 99 Dark Notes to unlock and play). On top of these modes, you collect Rhythmia for every song you finish, which leads to general unlocking of songs to listen to, videos to watch, and extra characters to play as. Each song is one of three types, Field, Battle and event, and each type plays differently enough so you don't get bored (Battle is my personal favorite). You have a "team" of four characters of your choice, and each one levels up accordingly, but I don't feel enough was done with the RPG elements of the game, as if they were more developed the game would be spectacular. I'm sure someone who has played a lot of Final Fantasy games would appreciate the game more than I do, but the amount of content and very fun gameplay would make anyone like the game a fair amount at least. The best rhythm game on the 3DS? I think so (have not played Rhythm Thief) and it comes easily recommendable to anybody who owns a 3DS. 90/100.… Expand
  15. HarpLeaf
    Sep 20, 2012
    9
    What a great game. The gameplay is very addictive and the visuals are very nice. The game has challenges and truly makes one want to get the highest possible score on every event. I enjoy the fact that you can choose and unlock characters from all the games and that there really isn't a difference between a level 70 player and a level 5 player. the only thing i think is wrong with theWhat a great game. The gameplay is very addictive and the visuals are very nice. The game has challenges and truly makes one want to get the highest possible score on every event. I enjoy the fact that you can choose and unlock characters from all the games and that there really isn't a difference between a level 70 player and a level 5 player. the only thing i think is wrong with the game is that you don't really have time to observe the beautiful animations and scenery because the game requires so much concentration.… Expand
  16. Svampriket_se
    Jul 17, 2012
    9
    If you don't have any relation to at least a couple of Final Fantasy games, then you probably won't get a lot of out Theatrhythm. But if you don't, then this game isn't really for you. No, this is purely for the fans of the series. And since I have strong relations to the music in VI, VII, IX, and XIII, I love it. I read that someone complained that the entire songs aren't played. But inIf you don't have any relation to at least a couple of Final Fantasy games, then you probably won't get a lot of out Theatrhythm. But if you don't, then this game isn't really for you. No, this is purely for the fans of the series. And since I have strong relations to the music in VI, VII, IX, and XIII, I love it. I read that someone complained that the entire songs aren't played. But in those cases, you usually get the "extended version" of the song if you play it well enough. I also saw one user review complain that there's only three songs per game. That's not true at all. There are thirteen games, and over 70 different songs. You do the math. Now, of course everyone will have a song they miss. Personally, it's You Are Not Alone from FFIX. I want it in there, but so far I haven't seen it. So I'll just have to check the DLC or hope to unlock it in the future. But all in all, this is a must buy for anyone who loves the Final Fantasy music. Now if we could only get a game like this for Zelda!… Expand
  17. rubin
    Jan 11, 2013
    8
    Great price for the amount of content and fun it offers. Final Fantasy fans will obviously love it best, but even those who didn't have a contact with the series (mine was very limited) should have a good time with this game. The graphics are really pretty and utilise the 3D effect very well. The gameplay can be quite hectic, especially on higher difficulties (with Ultimate being anGreat price for the amount of content and fun it offers. Final Fantasy fans will obviously love it best, but even those who didn't have a contact with the series (mine was very limited) should have a good time with this game. The graphics are really pretty and utilise the 3D effect very well. The gameplay can be quite hectic, especially on higher difficulties (with Ultimate being an absolute ravage), but that's what keeps it fun in the first place. Tons of different things to collect too, like shards that unlock new characters or items that you can use during the music play. There are, however, a few downsides that prevent me from giving Theatrythm a higher score than I would like. First of all, DLC. There are tons of downloadable songs (over 50), so if you're a hardcore fan of the series expect to pay double the price of the actual software. Then, some of the gameplay elements, while looking good in theory, just fail to pull their weight in practice. OP and ED songs are a massive snoozefest (thankfully skip-able), while the RPG elements, like leveling up your team and equipping it with new abilities, are frankly useless, especially when you consider that going to the battle naked nets you a juicy 2.000.000 point bonus to the final score. Despite those flaws, Theatrythm is probably the best music game I have ever played and I can't recommend it enough. There is a demo version available on the eShop right now, so if you're not sure about the purchase try it out first.… Expand
  18. Chipzahoy
    Sep 12, 2012
    10
    My first biased review. Could this game be any more addicting! *WARK* Probably the best time killing game I have palyed in a long time, and it helps that I am a huge fan of the music! *WARK*
  19. jugglaj91
    Jul 18, 2012
    10
    I say this game is must get on the 3DS. The library of games is small and lacking and this game really does shine. While the songs are on the short side (which is not always a bad thing considering it is FF) it is really fun. I am in no way a FF addict or avid player to be honest but I keep finding my self back playing this game until my system is dead. It helps to be a fan of the seriesI say this game is must get on the 3DS. The library of games is small and lacking and this game really does shine. While the songs are on the short side (which is not always a bad thing considering it is FF) it is really fun. I am in no way a FF addict or avid player to be honest but I keep finding my self back playing this game until my system is dead. It helps to be a fan of the series but I think any rhythm game fan would enjoy this equally as much. The songs are great and the game play is fun and engaging and you can unlock higher difficulties to really push the threshold.… Expand
  20. ganoncrotch
    Jun 1, 2018
    8
    if you're looking for the elite beat agents for the 3ds you've come to the right place, absolutely tons to do and great scale of difficulty for rhythm fans of all skill levels, really great nostalgia trip too when it comes to the movie stages for each game where you get to play over the main theme of each game along to a movie of cut scenes from the game playing in the background.

    Paid    if you're looking for the elite beat agents for the 3ds you've come to the right place, absolutely tons to do and great scale of difficulty for rhythm fans of all skill levels, really great nostalgia trip too when it comes to the movie stages for each game where you get to play over the main theme of each game along to a movie of cut scenes from the game playing in the background.

    Paid dlc from the store too which comes at a cost of 1euro a pop in Europe anyway, we checked out the cosmo canyon dlc which had 2 versions of the song so yeah if you want to extend the library of songs it's not going to set you back too much, when compared to the 3euros a song guitar hero or rock band games dlc.    … Expand
  21. SoCalWingFan
    Aug 7, 2012
    9
    Of all the many Final Fantasy games out there I've only played one to completion, and that's the ever-popular Final Fantasy VII. Did my lack of familiarity with the other titles in the series detract from my enjoyment of the game? Not one bit. The music is great, the controls are satisfying, and the ability to change and equip your party make this game highly addicting and a joy to play.
  22. Magustamer
    Aug 8, 2012
    9
    I got to say that this game is surprisingly loaded with tons of content. from extra songs to extra characters. the songs are amazing and stay true to their original score. the game play is fun and simple to play. the entire game s touch only so no need for the buttons. just a good stylus to use. the songs may not be the entire 100 minute long intro or boss fights like we remember, but theyI got to say that this game is surprisingly loaded with tons of content. from extra songs to extra characters. the songs are amazing and stay true to their original score. the game play is fun and simple to play. the entire game s touch only so no need for the buttons. just a good stylus to use. the songs may not be the entire 100 minute long intro or boss fights like we remember, but they are enough to give you that feeling of your childhood and make you want t play the game again. I highly suggest to any fan of Final Fantasy or music based games is to buy it. This is a great addition to any Final Fantasy collection.… Expand
  23. Sepharite
    Aug 16, 2012
    9
    Great game! If you are a fan of the Gitaroman series or familiar to the music genre AND a fan of Final fantasy, you will have a blast with this one. You should probably play at least 3-4 of the Final Fantasy games if you really want to experience the awesomeness of this setting. Nostalgia Overload, is what this game should be called.
  24. SwitSwat
    Sep 3, 2014
    8
    I'm going to try my best to not be biased, hence the 8 instead of 10 rating. For anyone who has played even a few FF games or are a fan of the entire series, this game is a must... Well, especially if you love the music and what Final Fantasy fan doesn't love the music? It's a wonderful rhythm based title and certainly a great addition to the 3DS library. Why did I give it an 8 though?I'm going to try my best to not be biased, hence the 8 instead of 10 rating. For anyone who has played even a few FF games or are a fan of the entire series, this game is a must... Well, especially if you love the music and what Final Fantasy fan doesn't love the music? It's a wonderful rhythm based title and certainly a great addition to the 3DS library. Why did I give it an 8 though? Well, the songs are incomplete for one, and there are not a lot of songs in general not counting the DLC. Another thing is that the RPG elements seem wasted. They don't do much in the way of gameplay and actually wouldn't affect the game at all if it wasn't added (leveling up, etc.) Overall, it's still pretty addicting though, and often makes up for its other flaws. Loyal FF fans are sure to love this.… Expand
  25. ExprS
    Sep 18, 2012
    9
    This is a game for fans, if you are a fan of final fantasy you will surely love this one, it has some beautiful chibi characters and the impressive soundtrack that has enchanted us all this years!
  26. maddymarie
    Dec 28, 2012
    8
    I've never been a fan of rhythm games. However, this is an excellent example of what a rhythm game should be. If you have played Kingdom Hearts RE:Coded, you should be very familiar with the artwork of the chibi characters within this game. The many modes that Final Fantasy : Theatrhythm offers are great for any fans of the series, as well as newcomers to rhythm games, such as myself. OnI've never been a fan of rhythm games. However, this is an excellent example of what a rhythm game should be. If you have played Kingdom Hearts RE:Coded, you should be very familiar with the artwork of the chibi characters within this game. The many modes that Final Fantasy : Theatrhythm offers are great for any fans of the series, as well as newcomers to rhythm games, such as myself. On the outside, this game may seem as though it is short and repetitive. However, there is so much more to it. The 'chaos shrine' mode offers many more songs that can be played and unlocked, if you can put yourself up to the challenge. The only thing that I think Square Enix could have improved upon, was the RPG elements. You can level up and use familiar items, however that just wasn't enough for me it felt. Unlocking characters can take quite a while, but in the end it is worth putting that much time into it. Being 40 hours or so in, I have absolutely no regrets playing for long periods of time. This game is really worth picking up if you enjoy rhythm games - or even if you're just a fan of the series.… Expand
  27. xTreeCutterx
    May 11, 2013
    9
    Before I begin this review, I'd like to point out that I have never played any final fantasy game, except for the remake of FF1 for the PSP.
    I really had a blast playing this game. I've always been into rhythm games, and this one was exactly what I was looking for. The style is very cute and the backgrounds are gorgeous, especially when the 3d is turned up. The controls are very fluid,    Before I begin this review, I'd like to point out that I have never played any final fantasy game, except for the remake of FF1 for the PSP.
    I really had a blast playing this game. I've always been into rhythm games, and this one was exactly what I was looking for. The style is very cute and the backgrounds are gorgeous, especially when the 3d is turned up. The controls are very fluid, and the notes are very well synced with the songs (which are great btw, perfect for rhythm). It has easy level difficulties for beginners, with increased difficulty settings once players are more experienced.
    Though there's been a couple of reviews that complain about this game's rpg system, they must have never been to the Chaos Shrine. It's basically a set of songs that feature a boss at the end, and it's preferable to have high levels and stronger skills in order to survive, or at least kill it enough to gain access to unlockables. You may have heard that there are bonus points for de-equipping all your skills, thus rendering skills useless, but in the Chaos Shrine, your scores are not even recorded, so there is no incentive to make it nullify skills.
    This is a great game, and it should not be missed by anyone who enjoys a good rhythm game.    … Expand
  28. pocky
    Jul 13, 2013
    10
    A must for any final fantasy or rhythm game fan. If you are both holy why don't you already have this game? Awesome game with tons to unlock, lots of difficulty levels for both the new and veteran rhythm gamers, and of course an awesome soundtrack.
  29. ugadawg86
    Nov 30, 2017
    8
    I would have given it maybe a 9, but its missing a handful of Final Fantasy songs that could have easily been added through unlockables or dlc. Other than that its a great rhythm game and I highly recommend it.
  30. TheIrepan8
    Jan 30, 2014
    10
    Insanely addictive, I have spent over 110 hours just tap, tap and of course tapping through all the songs of the game. Got loads of favourites from FFXIII Defiers of Fate to FFVI Terra's theme I just love tapping through the game whether I'm in bed, on a plane or in a waiting room. It is unbelievably well done and watching the memorable cutscenes with the beautiful music behind it. I cantInsanely addictive, I have spent over 110 hours just tap, tap and of course tapping through all the songs of the game. Got loads of favourites from FFXIII Defiers of Fate to FFVI Terra's theme I just love tapping through the game whether I'm in bed, on a plane or in a waiting room. It is unbelievably well done and watching the memorable cutscenes with the beautiful music behind it. I cant tell you how many times I've cried while listening FFX to Zanarkand or FFVIII Waltz for the Moon. If you want something different for the 3DS then I recommend this.… Expand
  31. Pokehunter
    Feb 1, 2014
    8
    I love this game, Square Enix's decision to have a rhythm based game with rpg elements like a party of 4 characters and stats etc is a gutsy idea and it worked. I can only think of a couple of negative things i can say negative about Theartrerythem one is it left me wanting more, they could of had more field or battle songs in the game (not as DLC) I am aware about the first game with theI love this game, Square Enix's decision to have a rhythm based game with rpg elements like a party of 4 characters and stats etc is a gutsy idea and it worked. I can only think of a couple of negative things i can say negative about Theartrerythem one is it left me wanting more, they could of had more field or battle songs in the game (not as DLC) I am aware about the first game with the battle theme being for every battle that the player encounters but more songs would of been nice, also the controls are a bit off especially the music video stages, like sometimes i flick up and it doesn't read it properly but that happens rarely. As a whole, great gameplay, great song listing, fantastic new art style which looks great, good rpg elements thrown into the mix, Theartrerythem Final Fantasy is a good buy for anyone who wants a good rhythm game or just a break from the old formula. This is a great way to celebrate FF's 25 anniversary.… Expand
  32. PCR
    May 28, 2014
    9
    Square Enix’s sequel to Theatrhythm, Curtain Call, was released in Japan last week. In anticipation of the North American release due later this year, I’ve been tapping away yet again at the game that convinced me to finally pick up a 3DS.

    I first learned about Theatrhythm Final Fantasy when my friend Will brought it over to my house to show me. I didn’t even know it existed at the    Square Enix’s sequel to Theatrhythm, Curtain Call, was released in Japan last week. In anticipation of the North American release due later this year, I’ve been tapping away yet again at the game that convinced me to finally pick up a 3DS.

    I first learned about Theatrhythm Final Fantasy when my friend Will brought it over to my house to show me. I didn’t even know it existed at the time, but it’s a game that was taken right from my dreams. The Final Fantasy series was a staple of my childhood. Squall and Rinoa’s trials and tribulations formed my entire idea of what true love was, but, more importantly, the music of the Fantasy series always perfectly scored the scenes of the games in a way that is unparalleled to any other series I’ve ever played.

    When I say the idea of Theatrhythm was taken from my dreams, I’m not kidding. I swear I had the idea for the concept before the game was created. I love rhythm games and the music of Final Fantasy, so this game couldn’t be more perfect for me. You can even cite the pinnacle of my nerdom by my attendance of a Final Fantasy: Distant Worlds concert back in 2010. You know, the show where they have a full orchestra play selected pieces from all Final Fantasy games, synched to giant screens playing actual scenes from the game. It’s just as lovely as it sounds, and I can’t wait to go to another show whenever they make their way back to the east coast.

    It’s fair to assume that a seemingly simplistic rhythm game would be easy to get burned out on quickly, but Square Enix made sure to vary the gameplay enough to ensure this isn’t the case. There are three modes: Field, Battle, and Event – all of which are paced and played differently. In addition, you begin the game by forming a party which levels up as you continue to play through each song. Leveling up characters makes them stronger and able to learn new abilities, which helps to unlock more characters in the Chaos Shrine, another mode of play once you earn your first “dark note.”

    I didn’t get a chance to get pre-hyped for Theatrhythm since I played it within minutes of knowing its existence, but upon first and every playthrough thereafter, it lived up to every expectation I could have had for the game. The best music was selected to highlight the most emotional scenes from the series without being even close to trite. What a perfect way to commemorate 25 years of Final Fantasy!

    Final Thoughts

    Gameplay: Addictive, Fast, Fun. Perfect for light gameplay on your break at work, but don’t be surprised when you see you’ve clocked over 20 hours trying to unlock Yuna in the Chaos Shrine.

    Appearance: Colorful and bright 3D! The Chibi styling of the classic characters is absolutely adorable.

    Sound: The music is true to the original games. No unfamiliar renditions that make your face scrunch up in disgust.

    Bottom Line: Final Fantasy Theathrythm is a nostalgic journey through one of the most well-known and loved video game franchises of all time.    … Expand
  33. LastResource
    Jan 14, 2023
    10
    worth it and glad to play this game again. so much memories and nostalgia within this spin off game in the series.

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best 3DS Game of 2012
8
#8 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2012
37
#37 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 60 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 60
  3. Negative: 0 out of 60
  1. GameCritics
    Feb 13, 2013
    60
    Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy starts off as a celebrated adventure through the musical history of the long-running Final Fantasy series, and the fanservice is apparent and appreciated. However, after only a few hours, the nostalgia wears off and the experience loses its luster. There's just too little to drive this title forward, and without more substance, even the best fanservice in the world will start to lose its appeal.
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  2. Gamer.no
    Oct 27, 2012
    80
    Theatrhythm Final Fantasy is a surprisingly solid rhythm game that both Final Fantasy fans and general video game music enthusiasts should try.
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  3. D+PAD Magazine
    Oct 3, 2012
    80
    Watching the cute little characters cutting down cute little enemies, using familiar abilities and items, exploring old themes… It's done something I never thought possible. It's made me nostalgic for Final Fantasy games. Even Final Fantasy XIII. Again, I love the idea of the Final Fantasy saga, and this allows me to explore it and remember all the things that made it great, all while having a great rhythm game, to boot. There are enough unlockables to keep you going back for 'just one more song'.
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