- Publisher: Square Enix
- Release Date: Feb 16, 2023
- Also On: PlayStation 4
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- Critic score
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- By date
- Unscored
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Feb 21, 2023Is this really the end of Theatrhythm? If so, Final Bar Line goes out with a massive bang. Including DLC, the total tracklist numbers around half a thousand songs, drawn not only from the diverse assortment of games in the Final Fantasy series but also the larger Square Enix library in general. Even if you don’t touch the DLC, you’ve got a whopping 385 songs to enjoy here. The new tricks in the charts add a bit of excitement even to the old familiar songs, and the refreshed presentation looks great. If you like music games or Final Fantasy, you’ll want Theatrhythm Final Bar Line. If you like both, you probably already bought it.
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Feb 14, 2023I was always a fan of Theatrhythm, but returning to the franchise on the Switch I was struck by how little I could find to complain about this most recent release. As both a Square Enix fan, as well as a rhythm game junkie, it's hard to argue against the idea that this is almost a perfect game. While much of the experience of playing Theatrhythm obviously pulls on the nostalgia that players have for these games, it's far from a title that feels like it only exists solely for that nostalgia. When playing it the love and care that the developers have for the franchise and its history is infectious, and even in the short period I've had with the game thus far, I can already see myself returning to it again and again whenever the mood strikes me. Final Bar Line is a triumph in every sense of the word.
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Feb 14, 2023Fine-tuned throughout an entire decade, Theatrhythm culminates in Final Bar Line - an outrageously humongous celebration of Final Fantasy's musical legacy that's easily the most riveting rhythm game available on modern platforms.
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Feb 14, 2023Given that the only issue with Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is that the JRPG elements are superficial and unnecessary for the game (while not actually undermining the underlying rhythm game action), it’s hard not to see the effort as a monumentally successful project. With nearly 400 music tracks out of the box, excellent underlying rhythm game mechanics and, of course, the music being so good, this is a game that’s going to last even the most casual Final Fantasy fan for months. And then there’s the DLC with music from games outside of the Final Fantasy series to look forward to. That’s only going to add even more to the biggest value game on Switch.
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Feb 21, 2023Beautiful art design, wonderfully remastered songs, and over 300+ timeless gems from the Final Fantasy universe, with DLC promising even more from other games like Chrono Trigger, give Square fans more than enough to love here. Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line promised a celebration of its huge library of games and 100% delivered. With new gameplay mechanics, even those who have played the previous games can find something new to enjoy.
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Feb 14, 2023Overall Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is already a front runner for my personal game of the year, and it’s only February. The massive track list, fun gameplay, and cute aesthetic help keep me absorbed and have proven to be a dangerous catalyst to me saying “one more song” over and over late into the night. Difficulty options are also well balanced, Beginner charts are easy enough to get a feeling for the game, Expert charts are fun while not being too incredibly difficult, Ultimate tracks are a huge challenge for the most advanced players, and those looking for an extreme challenge will find some tracks add a fourth difficulty called Supreme. All of these levels feel exactly as you’d hope, meaning any skill level can have a good time. The music of Final Fantasy is legendary for a reason, and Theatrhythm is the perfect representation of that. If you’re looking for a great rhythm game to eat up your time and occupy your mind, Final Bar Line is a fantastic choice.
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Feb 21, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is the third and ultimate installment in a line of commemorative video games, ready to celebrate the years of the life of Square Enix and the video game saga that defined an entire genre on a global scale, with a party of gigantic proportions to which all we invited.
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Apr 6, 2023Final Bar Line is bigger and better, and offers an incredible amount of unforgettable melodies for Final Fantasy fans.
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Feb 23, 2023Despite that lack of propelling factor, I’m still completely engrossed in this game, playing it during any 15 free minutes I can find throughout my day. Though I’ve technically completed the game, I want to SSS rank all of my favorite songs, dig deeper into the libraries from Final Fantasy games I’m less familiar with, and show off my rhythm prowess against other players. This is a fantastic rhythm game set to the tune of arguably the greatest music catalog in all of games. While I would have liked more guidance in how to proceed, the musical content on offer is so diverse, so nostalgic, and so well done, that I have no problem composing my own fun.
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Feb 22, 2023Honestly, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is pretty much a perfect game. It’s packed with content, has lots of fun stuff to unlock, features different ways to play, and encourages players to take a chance on higher difficulties. While I do think that Ultimate and Supreme almost go out of their way to be overly punishing, that doesn’t change how much I still enjoy this game. Even if you’ve never played one Final Fantasy game, you owe it to yourself to see what all the fuss is about in Theatrhythm Final Bar Line.
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Feb 21, 2023If you consider the Final Fantasy soundtrack worthy of being counted among the heritages of humanity, then Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is the music game for you. Rich in tracks and truly suitable for everyone, with a very well-calibrated level of difficulty. Too bad they haven't modernised the aesthetic, distinctive but undeniably little more than functional.
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Feb 19, 2023Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line is an amazing love letter to fans of Final Fantasy and Square Enix music.
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Feb 19, 2023Overall, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a fantastic title that combines all the joy of Final Fantasy music with the satisfaction of rhythm games. Players can spend hours unlocking their favorite tracks, or simply relax and replay songs while mastering combos. While there is no storyline, the progression of the Series Quest mode scratches the need for organization and creates a sense of forward motion that can sometimes be missing in rhythm games.
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Feb 19, 2023Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line is a delight, and a massive time sink that I don’t regret spending hours on. From its colorful visuals to the excellently presented music and the simple yet challenging rhythm action itself, there’s a ton to love about the latest game in a series I was already hooked on. The massive collection of characters to unlock and loot to gather enhances the game tremendously, while the rewarding multiplayer is just a lovely extra on top. If the DLC wasn’t so vast I’d have almost nothing to criticize outside of a desire for more considered accessibility settings. Even then, the base game truly does have more going for it than the majority of mainstream games charging twenty bucks more...Still distraught over the lack of "Jesters of the Moon" though.
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Feb 17, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a labor of love that is worthy of loving back - it's game packed to the brim with iconic songs, unforgettable characters, and fun excuses to revisit and collect them all. Accessibility options, versatile difficulty levels, and simple yet addicting multiplayer help make a great package even greater. Any Final Fantasy fan owes it to themselves to dive into this game and take a musical trip down memory lane.
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Feb 14, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a huge update of a remarkable richness and generosity. With even more covered games and music, and still effective mechanics, it will hypnotize music game lovers and Final Fantasy fans alike. An ode to the composers who built the reputation of the license and an infinite pleasure difficult to sulk. A bis repetita which catches like a siren song.
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Feb 14, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line has enchanted us. It's not only the biggest celebration to date of music not only from Final Fantasy, but from Square Enix in video game form. But also one of the most complete, deep and full of unlockables rhythm games you can find on Nintendo Switch. Despite some shortcomings, it is still a gem for rhythm game lovers that we recommend you not to miss.
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Feb 14, 2023It took us months to pick up previous Theatrhythms and now Square Enix and IndiesZero are bringing us back into the rhythm game frenzy with Final Fantasy sauce. In addition to the incredible musical journey it offers us, this title shines with its phenomenal tracklist and the formidable efficiency of its game system. Accessible or demanding (your choice, depending on your mastery of the gameplay), Theatrhythm Final Bar Line risks keep you busy for a very long time, especially if you extend the experience by challenging other players online.
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Feb 14, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a worthy successor and end to the beloved rhythm game franchise, and serves as a love letter to its OSTs.
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Feb 14, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is an utterly addictive, perfectly tuned celebration of all things Final Fantasy. It’s a deceptively simple-looking game that, once you get under the hood, you’ll discover it has teeth and demands practice and patience if you want to unlock everything. It gives back what you put into it, and we’re struggling to put it down even now. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the series’ 35th anniversary, and this makes it a must-buy for Final Fantasy fans and rhythm game enthusiasts. How other storied, sprawling game series’ haven’t followed suit with their own rhythm games is baffling when the results can be this magical.
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Feb 14, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is more than a love letter to Final Fantasy and its esteemed soundtracks—it’s a robust hybrid of RPG elements and rhythm gameplay, bolstered by accessibility options and a mountain of content, building on its 3DS forefathers in every way.
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Feb 18, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is the "tribute" game that FF's 35th anniversary needed, a title that brings together the best of its soundtrack with a fun and simple gameplay style that both casual and hardcore gamers will enjoy. Add hundreds of things to unlock and an adorable aesthetic, and you have a great game for the fans.
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Mar 6, 2023Drawing on the soundtracks of all the main chapters of Final Fantasy and a good part of its increasingly numerous spin-offs, the Japanese partnership made up of Square Enix and indieszero has once again been able to give shape to an exciting rhythm game, which sees in the content component its main advantage. With its 385 tracks and an avalanche of collectibles to unlock, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is in fact a must have for anyone who professes to be a fan of Final Fantasy, as well as an unmissable opportunity for newbies to taste the extraordinary musical accompaniments for the first time of the saga.
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Feb 14, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line celebrates over three decades of music from the beloved 'Final Fantasy' series. It evokes the best kind of nostalgia, and will make you feel good when playing it.
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Feb 14, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a fantastic game, no doubt about it. The gameplay is easy to learn but challenging to master, and the massive library of songs and characters gives players countless hours of content to enjoy.
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Feb 14, 2023Final Bar Line is another fantastic entry in a great rhythm series, propped up by an enormous catalog of essential video game music and a variety of fun and engaging (if slightly superfluous) systems. Whether you enjoyed the 3DS entries or you're a Final Fantasy fan ready to dive in for the first time, there's a lot to love here even with some minor frustrations.
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Feb 14, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a testament to the power of a soundtrack, and it’s well worth the attention of any fan of Final Fantasy, music, or Final Fantasy music.
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Feb 14, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is the definitive game that brings us almost the entire anthology of music from the Final Fantasy games and others outside the franchise. They knew how to mix these two genres with style. However, on Switch it is way better to play it in portable mode.
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Mar 30, 2023Overall, I enjoyed my time with Theatrhythm Final Bar Line. The note charts are interesting and build on themselves as sections of a song are repeated, the track selection is immense, and as a bonus, it plays great both in docked mode or on the go, which means that it’s easy to pick up and get a couple of songs in, anywhere or anytime. Rhythm fans and Final Fantasy fans alike shouldn’t miss out on this one.
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Mar 27, 2023It's a shame that music from NieR, Octopath Traveler, Xenogears and other games is only available through DLC.
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Mar 17, 2023Theatrythm Final Bar Line is a terrific musical celebration of the Final Fantasy series that features more than 300 tracks, unlockable characters, and light RPG elements.
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Mar 1, 2023Final Bar is an encore for Final Fantasy fans. Its control has successfully transitioned from touchscreen to traditional control and maintains a good level of difficulty. Although there is a long list of available songs, there are few modes and rewards for casual players. It is a full-fledged rhythm game that stands out from the rest due to its RPG elements.
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Feb 28, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line scratches a particular itch, which means the game is unlikely to hold a great deal of immediate appeal for people who aren’t already familiar with the Final Fantasy series. That franchise has produced some amazing music over the years, though, and the fans who already love it will likely welcome a fresh excuse to listen to some of their favorite compositions once again. The combination of music and visual assets could also help franchise newcomers see what they’ve been missing. A little more variety in the compositions included would have been nice, but otherwise, the package contains the right bells, whistles, and nostalgia to keep players busy and happy for a very long time.
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Feb 27, 2023If you consider yourself a Final Fantasy fan, there is every reason to invest in Theatrhythm Final Bar Line. Rammed to bursting with songs that have helped to make the series what it is, there are tracks for everybody in here, with plenty of accessibility options to tinker with to suit all levels of player, including a fun RPG-lite mechanic that can be explored for extra incentive to replay favourite tunes. The DLC is vast and off-putting, but there is so much in the base game to tackle that it can be safely ignored.
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Feb 18, 2023A captivating rhythm game that, with tons of contents, will make your Final Fantasy's heart beat fast.
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Feb 14, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line takes a very simple premise with easy-to-learn and hard-to-master levels and ties them all up in an adorable little chibi ribbon. It’s a must-play for any Final Fantasy superfan, but the lack of touchscreen controls on Switch is an oversight.
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Feb 14, 2023If you want to have a good time with the best Final Fantasy themes, you definitely have to check it out, whether you played a couple of games or if you are the biggest fan of the saga. In the same way, if you have not played anything in the series, it would still be interesting for you to try it, especially if rhythm games seem interesting to you.
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Feb 14, 2023This is a top-tier rhythm action game that’s pitched as a love letter to the Final Fantasy series, brimming with content and packed with love and care. But – like some of the more ambitious double-albums out there – it sometimes feels like quantity over quality, as you trudge through some of the less well thought-out note maps in order to get to the ones you know will inspire you. Some will have more patience for that than others. Given that I’ve already played through Blue Fields about 20 times, I’ll leave you to figure out where I land on that.
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Feb 14, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is an enjoyable, whimsical rhythm game that should appeal to Final Fantasy fans, no matter where they started with the series. As celebrations go, this one's a winner.
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Feb 14, 2023A challenging and fun musical RPG title that anyone can enjoy, but fans of the Final Fantasy saga and its soundtracks will love. Loading times are a bit frequent on Nintendo Switch, although we think it's the best platform to enjoy the game due to its portability.
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Feb 27, 2023Theatrythm Final Bar Line is a good celebration of Final Fantasy’s musical history. While a few key songs are behind a paywall or missing entirely, fans will find a lot to like here.
| This publication does not provide a score for their reviews. | |
| This publication has not posted a final review score yet. | |
| These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation. | |
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Mar 22, 2023Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is a good game, but I wish It could be less a 3DS game and more a 2023 game.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 49 out of 63
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Mixed: 3 out of 63
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Negative: 11 out of 63
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Feb 17, 2023While the game is nice, it lacks Freya Crescent and a few other favorite characters I like in the series. This overall dampens my experience.
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Feb 18, 2023
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Feb 21, 2023