Theatrhythm Final Bar Line's recent release follows its 3DS predecessor in its inclusion of the NieR series' "Song of the Ancients." With Square Enix's increased foray into rhythm game spinoffs, the inclusion of the track points towards NieR being a good contender for its own rhythm release after Threatrhythm Final Bar Line.
Released just a few days ago for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line proves to be an all-inclusive rhythm game spinoff featuring the best-of-the-best of the Final Fantasy franchise's music repertoire. Like its previous entry, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call, the game manages to branch out past its Final Fantasy soundtracks into the musical realm of other Square Enix games. Theatrhythm: Final Bar Line's DLC in particular promises to include prolific tracks from a number of popular titles, including Chrono Trigger, Legend of Mana, and the NieR games.
Square Enix's Foray into Rhythm Game Spinoffs
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is reported to have been inspired by 2020's release of Melody of Memory, the Kingdom Hearts rhythm game featuring the beautiful work of Yoko Shimomura, the franchise's acclaimed composer. Both Theatrhythm and Melody of Memory set a good precedent for the diverging of classic RPG titles into the world of rhythm games. After all, music plays a vital part in the role-playing game experience; a soundtrack can be as synonymous to the success of an RPG as the world itself. Luckily, NieR has no problem there: its acclaimed OSTs make for a compelling case in the series standing alone through its own rhythm game spinoff.
Given the NieR franchise's experimental use of game genre and camera perspective, a rhythm game certainly wouldn't be out of the ballpark for the series. Music has already played a pivotal part in both Yoko Taro's NieR and Drakengard series, using its soundtrack as a diegetic force within the world and, in some cases, centering it on its gameplay and combat mechanics. One of the most stirring examples of this comes from the original NieR and its more recent, upgraded version NieR Replicant; following its intro sequence, the player finds themselves in a small village, filled with the ambient, instrumental cords of "Song of the Ancients," only to soon realize as they approach the village's plaza and the vocals begin that the song is coming from Devola herself, a woman strumming and singing along as she sits against the square's fountain.
The use of "Song of the Ancients" is emphasized throughout both Replicant and Automata in ways that heighten the player's emotional tether to the experience, featured as both ambient field music and as a combat track. As a result, the particular song has become instantly recognizable among fans of the series and beyond, featured even in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Opening Ceremony. Beyond "Song of the Ancients," however, lies a multitude of other tracks in the series that would demonstrate a surprising amount of versatility in a rhythm game. From Replicant's "The Wretched Automatons," a mechanical track interspersed with the beautiful vocals of Emi Evans, to Automata's eerie "Amusement Park" theme, the games are backed by the musical repertoire necessary for a rhythm game.
While it's true Yoko Taro has no plans to continue the NieR series (unless, as he jokes, more money is included), the fact that Square Enix has been pushing an increase in rhythm game content means that the prospect isn't entirely unfeasible. Given the immense popularity of franchises like Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts as well as the devotion of their fans, Square Enix taking the nostalgic, musical approach was a logical move. Honing in on the strength of its music and fanbase, the NieR series would certainly have no trouble following suit.
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line is available now for PS4 and Switch.
