There’s something magical about when a game catches you completely off guard. Back in the day, I never thought I’d be into rhythm games. I always saw them as flashy, button-tapping showcases, and I was convinced games like this would never scratch the same itch as an RPG or an adventure game. But one day, I found myself giving Theatrhythm a shot. A rhythm game focused on one of my favorite game series. I mean... I like Final Fantasy and I love its music. This was surely a match made in heaven, right?
Absolutely. Fast forward to Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line, and I’m completely hooked. This isn’t just another rhythm game, nay nay! It’s one of the most heartfelt love letters to Final Fantasy I’ve ever seen or experienced. It celebrates what I think is the best part of the series: its music. From the sweeping orchestral pieces that make your heart soar to those 16-bit battle themes that get your blood pumping, Final Bar Line reminds you just how incredible Final Fantasy’s soundtrack really is and how it continues to have the power to transport you to amazing places and fantastical moments.
A Celebration Through Music
If you’ve ever been hit by a wave of nostalgia just from hearing “To Zanarkand” or “Terra’s Theme,” then you already understand what makes Final Bar Line special. It’s a greatest hits collection that spans the entire series. From the humble beginnings of Final Fantasy I all the way through Final Fantasy XV and a ton of stops in between.
The game’s Series Quests mode acts like a musical tour through each mainline entry, letting you play curated tracks that highlight the emotional and epic moments from that game’s story. It’s almost like flipping through a scrapbook of Final Fantasy history, except instead of photos, you’re playing along to some of the best songs in gaming. Even if you've never played a specific game before, you're treated to an amazing musical journey that gives you some great insight into what that game has to offer. I loved reliving some of my favorite games while dipping my toes into some of the others I haven't had the chance to play yet.
If you’d rather just jam to your favorites, there’s Music Stages, where you can dive right into any unlocked song. Sometimes I would jump in and just look for my favorite song to play along to. If I was feeling a little meh that day, maybe something slower like "Fisherman's Horizon" from FF8 or "Celes's Theme" from FF6. Or if I wanted to get into something fast and furious or I needed to improve my mood, I'd queue up "Something to Protect" from FF9 or one of my absolute favorites, the "Airbuster battle theme" from the FF7 Remake.
Sometimes if I was looking for a unique challenge or I was just feeling confident (or maybe a little reckless), Endless World is something I would dive into as well. It will keep throwing songs at you until your rhythm slips or you can't complete the stage's specific objective. It’s brutal, but incredibly fun.
Rhythm Meets Role-Playing
What really sets Final Bar Line apart from other rhythm games is how it blends its music gameplay with light RPG elements. You don’t just play songs, you build a team of Final Fantasy characters who level up, learn abilities, and battle monsters in the background as you play.
Each of your four party members contributes differently based on how well you hit your notes. A perfect chain might have Cloud unleashing a Limit Break or Terra casting a powerful spell. Which are all abilities you assign to your characters. The stronger you get, the more songs you can conquer, and the more satisfying it becomes to see your team grow in power. If you really put the time into building out the right characters and pairing them with other characters that compliment them or optimizing them for a specific battle style, you'll find yourself felling even the strongest of foes while you rock out to your favorite jams.
And while all that sounds awesome, I will say that overall it is not a deep RPG system, and that’s okay. The leveling and abilities are just enough to give you that extra push to keep going and give you that “just one more song” feeling that’ll eat up your evening before you realize it. There's nothing more satisfyingly than finishing out a song and seeing that translate to experience points for your team.
A Feast for the Ears and Eyes
Final Bar Line nails the presentation. The cute, chibi art style gives everything a playful sort of energy while still honoring the series proper. You’ll see familiar enemies, spells, and environments all bouncing along to the beat as your characters fight their way through musical moments and memories.
And the music… well, that’s the whole reason we’re here, am I right? Every track sounds phenomenal, from classic NES-era chip tunes to the fully orchestrated epics of later entries. I often caught myself smiling as I recognized old favorites like “Battle on the Big Bridge,”, "Searching for Friends", or even "The Man with the Machine Gun". Each song hits like a rush of nostalgia that most players will appreciate, but only Final Fantasy fans will truly understand.
Where Music Meets Memory
What I love most about Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line is how happy it makes me. It’s the kind of game I can play for 10 minutes after a long day and walk away feeling better. There’s something soothing about falling into the rhythm of familiar songs while watching your favorite characters take down monsters.
Whether you’re a long-time Final Fantasy fan, a lover of rhythm games, or someone who just wants a relaxing experience with incredible music, this game is pure joy. It’s not trying to be anything more than what it is, which is a fun, heartfelt celebration of Final Fantasy and its unforgettable soundtrack.
When I step back and look at this game and the experience it brings me, I never thought a rhythm game could make me feel nostalgic and relaxed at the same time. Somehow, though, Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line pulls it off for me. It’s a perfect reminder of why I fell in love with Final Fantasy in the first place. And why I’ll always come back to its music. A good tune can put you in a good mood and make you tap your feet. But great music, tied to amazing moments, can elevate you in a way that's so hard to put into words.
"Museum (Valse Di Fantastica from FFXV)" from Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line (Square Enix, 2023). Downloaded via KHInsider. All rights belong to Square Enix.