Theatrhythm covers Final Fantasy I through XIII

Square Enix's newest addition to the Final Fantasy franchise has been getting a lot of attention placed on its bizarre name. (And with a name like Theatrhythm, it certainly deserves the scrutiny!) Today, Square Enix is hoping you'll pay attention to what ultimately matters: the gameplay. Andriasang reports that the game is not unlike the PSP fighting game Dissidia, as it features characters and scenarios from all thirteen numbered Final Fantasy games. Each game will have its own stage, presumably letting you play relevant music. Clash on the Big Bridge (Final Fantasy V), One Winged Angel (Final Fantasy VII), At Zanarkand (Final Fantasy X), and The Sunleth Waterscape (Final Fantasy XIII) are just some of the tracks to be included in the upcoming 3DS game.

The similarities to Dissidia extend beyond the concept of the game. In fact, it ties into the mythos of that universe. According to Siliconera, there is a space between the two gods of Dissidia, Chaos and Cosmos, called "rhythm, which "fuels a crystal that spreads music throughout the world." Obviously, you'll have to entrust the various Final Fantasy heroes in order to restore that crystal.

As with traditional RPGs, you'll spend much of your time playing the game, acquiring new items, including music and movie scenes. You'll also be able to level up your characters, although it's unclear how that will work in a music game. If anyone can make it work, though, it will be developer Indies Zero, best known for its work on Electroplankton and Retro Game Challenge.