Theatrhythm Final Bar Line: PS5 Review

Developed by indieszero
Released by Square Enix
Platform: PS5

Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is the kind of rhythm game you can addicted to - and even more so if you're a Final Fantasy fan.

Though that said, even if you're not thanks to simple mechanics, simplicity of play and cutesy execution, it's a game anyone can dive into for any amounts of time.

With 385 carefully curated music tracks from across the Final Fantasy series, the game's raison d'etre is simple - fight baddies while hitting the beats and relive some of the tunes you've loved for years done in a beat game. Meshing the chance to unlock more characters and other levels with a simple narrative, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line isn't a game that really does much more than it says on the tin.

It's true that mixing up characters, adding in elements of perks and ensuring you have a strong group means you can beat whichever baddie the level brings you. But miss a few of the beat combos and suddenly your group is struggling and the level's dangerously close to conclusion.

Each level itself is bitesize and in truth, unless you've got someone sat with you, you can't really see what's going on with the characters because you're busy trying to hit the rhythm. So that's perhaps one of the only real disappointments with Theatrhythm Final Bar Line - no real chance to enjoy what plays out on the screen.

It may be cutesy in execution but it's minimal in design and narrative, but that's not really what Theatrhythm Final Bar Line wants to do.

If you're a FF fan, this is heavenly game-playing swathed in a music nostalgia that can't be denied. But if you're a casual fan, the music and the simple mechanics make Theatrhythm Final Bar Line something that's a bit more of an addiction to fight.

It won't change the gaming world, but Theatrhythm Final Bar Line's mix of fun and simplicity make it a solid family title that does the best of what rhythm games do, while ensuring a deeper engagement with fans of the genre.