Whether one determines Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call to be a sequel or merely an update to the already excellent original is somewhat immaterial due to perceptible limitations of what constitutes an updated version. Sure Curtain Call is essentially the same game but where as the original game metaphorically flashed its boobs, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call goes all the way.
One area that absolutely astounds me about Curtain Call is the amount of perfect balances it manages to achieve. From available content to downloadable content, from immediate content to unlockable content, from the three game modes offered, the absolute utter immediacy of the easier setting to lesser skilled players to the mastery required of the harder setting in achieving those elusive SSS’s.
For a start the content on the cartridge (or download!) has well over 200 songs and over 60 characters (most unlockable) where the DLC truly is an extra and totally unlike the (lack of) ethos Square-Enix have displayed on the iOS platform with the likes of Final Fantasy: All the Bravest. Many new games have been added to the roster (including Mystic Quest!) and Romancing Saga to be offered at a later date!
The earlier games of note (the mainline Famicom/Super Famicom Final Fantasy games!) are well represented with around ten songs each. All perfectly presented with the ability to heart your favourite tracks (similar to Nintendo’s own 3D Creatures and Flower Picture Book) for easier access. The more you score the more you level up the more treasures you receive and the more game content you unlock and so-forth.
Just mastering your chosen (or all!) songs is hardly exhaustive of the content that the game offers. The RPG-y Quest Mode reappears with numerous quests (short, middle, long and received quests) which in-itself ensures many more hours of added gameplay but clearly the highlight of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is the completely brilliant VS Mode offering both Local, CPU and more importantly Online opponents.
Although only a high-scoring affair (as opposed to say Puyo Puyo Tetris where you indirectly interfere with your opponent’s screen), the VS Mode is quite simply ace adding a true third dimension (pun intended) to an already excellent game. Not everything is perfect: the DLC system is still clunky with no simultaneous multiple purchases allowed although at least it can all be achieved within the actual game.
My main problem with the game’s release isn’t anything that really reflects on the actual game but merely a personal preference to what I essentially wanted a second Theatrhythm game to be with obvious choices being a Theatrhythm Dragon Quest, Seiken Densetsu, Chrono Trigger/Radical Dreamers or even attaining a Nintendo (or Castlevania!) license. Daydreaming aside: Curtain Call feels like a complete game and fully worthy second release.
Does it necessitate a secondary purchase if you already own the original? I find it hard to speak for other people but in my case absolutely yes! Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is not only an incredibly fun gaming experience that delivers a ‘just one more go’ quality but also offers dozens of hours of gameplay and unlike most games reviewed on this blog – can be effortlessly recommended to both hardcore and casual games alike.
9/10
Review by Bri Bri. For more information on Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call go to http://www.jp.square-enix.com/t_ffcc/
