Campaign Creations

So I just finished playing Final Fantasy XIII for the PS3.  It was a good addition to the series.  The story was somewhat confusing, but if you read the in-game datalog text while you're watching the cutscenes, it makes more sense.  What I found most impressive about the game (other than its graphics) was the music.  Final Fantasy has always been known among the gaming community to have some of the best composed music in the industry.  Nobuo Uematsu is a legend and revered by all of us as one of the greatest composers of our time.

Criteria: For this debate, I ask you what is your favorite music from these various titles, and why are they significant to the series?  You may include music from the Kingdom Hearts series as well since it is a spin-off of the FF series.  

Note: Apologies for the Youtube videos.  Every URL automatically converts to an embedded Youtube file.  Kind of annoying, and I don't know how to disable it.

My personal favorites:

1. Final Fantasy 6 (Nobuo Uematsu - 1994): Despite the musical limitations of having no live orchestra, Uematsu was able to create an amazing soundtrack for FFVI.  The vivacity, passion, and spirit of adventure was so well orchestrated, that live orchestra performances of some of this music have really shined.  A few examples:

-Opening Theme (Terra's Theme) - This is a beautiful piece filled with sadness but a desperation to persevere.  This is probably one of the best pieces that captured the essence of a Final Fantasy character.  If you listened to this song and played the story of Terra, you would reconcile these two arts instantly.  Orchestra version: Beginning of Fantasy - Terra's Theme (FF VI)

-Kefka's Song - The 2nd most recognizable villain song of the series (One-Winged Angel being the 1st).  Other than his crazy laugh, this song made Kefka into the ultimate villain he was.  Every time it played in the game, you knew bad things were going to happen.  The music not only captures the sound of evil, but portrays it in a way of maniacal chaos. URL: Kefka's Theme Song

-Cyan's Theme - This is one of my personal favorites to the series.  The nobility and honor themes portrayed in this piece leave a lasting impression on the listener.  I always enjoyed Cyan's character more just from this piece.  URL: Final Fantasy VI Music - Cyan's Theme

- Opera "Maria and Draco" - In the music world, this composition is vastly underrated.  I would also argue that this is the greatest song Nobuo Uematsu's has ever written.  Nobuo Uematsu wrote a freaking opera at one of the most engaging points of Final Fantasy VI.  As a boy just playing through the game, little did I realize I was listening to a masterpiece.  I invite you to listen to an orchestration of the entire Opera house piece here:
Part A - Tour de Japon - Opera "Maria and Draco" (Part A)
Part B - Tour de Japon - Opera "Maria and Draco" (Part B)


2. Final Fantasy XIII (Masashi Hamauzu - 2010) - Whoa!  Seriously, AA7?  Ya, srsly.  I was very impressed by the music of Masashi Hamauzu.  I'm always leery of FF music written outside of the mind of Uematsu; however, Hamauzu deserves a place of respect in the series.  Where do I begin?  Let's start with the theme:

-FFXIII Theme (The Promise) - This is the main theme of FFXIII, and a worthy addition to the original Final Fantasy Crstyalis song we are all familiar with.  It's beautiful, memorable, and is successfully implemented in remixes throughout the soundtrack.  When you listen to this song, you remember it's FFXIII.
URL:  Final Fantasy XIII Soundtrack - The Promise

-Dust to Dust - This song is beautifully tragic, as it properly illustrates the destruction of the Fal'Cie and the nostalgia for what Oerba was.  The voice is haunting.  URL: Final Fantasy XIII Music - Dust to Dust

- The Sunleth Waterscape - A great remix of the game's theme.  This includes vocals and a catchy dance beat that keeps you humming long after playing the game's stage.  URL: Final Fantasy XIII Music - The Sunleth Waterscape

- Fighting Fate & Born Anew - Finally!  Not since Final Fantasy VIII, has there been an epic chorus song worthy of praise, and FFXIII has TWO.  One Winged Angel and Liberi Fatali are the most memorable chorus songs to the Final Fantasy series.  Now, there is Fighting Fate and Born Anew.  Fighting Fate is a prelude in the game to what is to come with Born Anew.  It is a special boss encounter song that occurs a few times in the game, but Born Anew is only heard once at the final battle.  Both of these songs are terrifying adrenaline rushes.  The music just carries into the rush of the fight, with horns and drums blasting like the sounds of legions coming.  Listen to them here:
Fighting Fate URL: Final Fantasy XIII Music - Fighting Fate
Born Anew URL: Final Fantasy XIII Music - Born Anew

- "My Hands" sung by Leona Lewis - After such epic fighting, sacrifice, pain, and victory, you need a good ending song to wrap up the storyline.  Final Fantasy XIII delivers with "My Hands," a modern pop song with the English version sung by the very talented Leona Lewis.  This is a woman who can sing, and you've probably heard some of her many hits on the radio.  It's great that Square-Enix was able to bring on board such a talented and widely popular English singer.  This song is beautifully healing, recognizing both the sacrifice of those lost while looking forward to a new and brighter future.  The backup singers behind Leona Lewis' voice build a crescendo of emotion that will carry with you even after the credits start rolling.  Enjoy My Hands here: Official Theme of Final Fantasy XIII My Hands Leona Lewis

3.


I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions to the music of Final Fantasy.  There are so many great pieces here, that I feel like I've only scratched the surface in speaking about them.  Share with me your top lists and selections from some of the series' best music!

Curious, I don't recognize those FF13 tracks from my soundtrack. I'll have to check it again.

I only recognize some of the earlier FF tracks out of having never played them (Kefka's is totally new to me, the other two aren't).

Although mostly unrelated, I highly recommend Xenoblade's soundtrack as it just became available recently.

I know it's a bit off topic, but can you provide some examples to Xenoblade's soundtrack, Mesk? I'd be curious to hear some of your favorites as I know that is a respected series.

What is your list of FF favorites?  I know you've collected quite an ensemble over the years.

Oh no.. Oh no you didn't.

More tomorrow.

Yesssss.  Looking forward to hearing your response!

One of my favorites from FF7:

Final Fantasy VII - Sending a Dream into the Universe [HQ]

I've gone over it many times in my head.  It's just too difficult to choose favorites.  I would always play these soundtracks growing up, including all of the extended releases.  There was something magical about the FFVI's soundtrack though.  I'd have to pick that one as the best of the series.  I grew out of it eventually, but even when I go back to those old themes once every few years, the magic recaptures me once more. 

Still playing FF XIII.  It's nice, it's complicated, it's strange.  It is definitely hard to follow.  I know the concept fits more with eastern philosophy - its story sorta reflects a spiritual crisis of sorts which reflects off certain eastern spiritual and religious philosophies.  I especially love that when these characters get faced with an intense desire to quit their journey (or abandon their purpose), they are tested by Eidolons/Espers or whatever they call em in this one.  Hah.  Still don't get why they turn into motorcycles.  I really wish they'd explain some of this stuff a bit more.  At some point, it just seems too flashy for the sake of being flashy.  I'm interested to see how it all comes together, though I'm a little tired of the battles.  A few hours a week is all I can manage if at that.  Strangely enough, it may end up being a favorite, at the very least, story wise.  Though VI will always be my all time favorite.  I'm not pining for a remake, but if it happens, I'll buy it and whatever system it comes out for.

Nobuo Uematsu still continues.  Lost Odyssey was made fantastic purely by his music.  It's amazing how clearly his style sticks out.  You hear the music, and you are like, "Yep, thats Uematsu."

I have only been interested in the soundtracks for FF6 and FF9. A few from 7 and 8, but nothing that would make me say OH MAN FF7 AND FF8 MUSIC IS AWESOME.

Anyway, I kinda wished a JRPG's music were composed by Susumu Hirasawa, in particular to something akin to what he did in Paranoia Agent and Berserk.

Alevice has good taste, not to derail the thread but:
paranoia agent intro

Back to FF7!

Aerith's Theme

Thanks for this AA7. I can not go a month, literally, without whistling or humming this tune:

Final Fantasy VII Music - Cosmo Canyon

By far not the all-around best track in Final Fantasy 7, but it goes to show the ability its music had to completely mesmerize me nearly 13 years. And what's going through my mind each time? Cosmo Canyon, of course. An extremely short portion of Final Fantasy, but quite possibly one of the most memorable. Perhaps the reason is due to the fact my first playthrough of Final Fantasy was through a borrowed set of discs, and the cutscene of the universe explanation would freeze, requiring me to start over in hopes that it wont the next time I load that scene.

I could go on and on about how overpowering and memorable music from Final Fantasy 7 is, I mean who doesn't know of this track or has used it while working on a project or such:

Final Fantasy VII - One Winged Angel [HQ]

We've all done it, come on now.

However, I have two tracks from that game that I will always remember as some of the best of Final Fantasy:

Final Fantasy VII - Opening Theme, Bombing Mission [HQ]

Obviously, within seconds of hearing these notes you know exactly what it is. By far, one of the most defined introductory tracks, placing you right into the feeling of a not-so-happy city with the violin-like instruments playing only to shortly be cut off by the introduction of the infiltration music as you rush through hacking through pathetic troops. Just let it play, and it'll gradually build you up and increase your WPM, APM, etc. It's just that rush of a feeling.

The second theme, is what 'true' Final Fantasy 7 players and myself included define as Sephiroth's true theme due to the One-Winged Angel bandwagon.

Final Fantasy VII - Those Chosen by the Planet [HQ]

Those Chosen by the Planet was by far the creepiest thing I heard in any Final Fantasy game (age appropriate, meaning me hearing it when I 11 years old had a much more eery effect than when I am now 24). The first walk through the mansion where you hear this theme just to introduce Sephiroth was extremely impactful.

Now, I haven't finished FF13, I'm actually at

Spoiler

Pulse, 10% done with the stones.

However, from what I have heard, I'm not going to lie, AA7.. It's pretty repetitive. I feel like I'm listening to the same track over and over and over. I swear, I must of only heard five tracks so far, an exaggeration of course, but that's what it feels like. I'm hoping it'll pick up with some variety soon. Now, that's not to say it's a beautiful soundtrack, because it is, though I'm honestly a bit upset with the battle music and the boss music, nothing just has that "pump me up" feeling. I'm sure it's relative to the fact the main character is a woman, but I'm hoping FF13: Versus is a true switch in music due to the setting being futuristic (and not a primitive future of the past: FF10). Honestly, I have a thing for Sci-fi, so consider me biased against all prior FF's before 7, they just weren't as memorable to me as 7, 8, 9, or 10. Let's not even DELVE on 11 or 12.

I wont go into FF13's music in terms of what I like, mainly since I don't want to spoil something I don't know yet, however, I'd be lying if I didn't say 10 and X-2 didn't have some smooth tracks themselves, but nothing can outweigh the amazing score that FF8 throws at you fast and early. The intro (or Liberi Fatali as well in full), the bombing, the battles, they were all good.

Final Fantasy VIII - Don't be Afraid [HQ]

This just came second to 7's music, it's just the fact it's aggressive that makes it stand out for me.

However, nothing standed out as more cool than another unappreciated track:

Final Fantasy VIII - Starting Up [HQ]

Starting Up by far contained one of the coolest cinematic sequences for me (again, at the time) that I had ever seen. The music was simply an extreme buildup, as the title says, and made me feel like I literally had to do what I had to do to make a difference. Incase you're wondering, here's the actual CGI (around 1:40 if you want to skip, through the music track only, rest after is a battle):

Final Fantasy 8 006 - The Comm Tower

And of course, this may have been overused in the late 90's and early 2000's for us, but there was a reason for that: It was awesome. VERY much ranking in the top tracks of Final Fantasy of all time:

Final Fantasy VIII - The Landing [HQ]

And I wont go into great detail, but this is by far my absolute (current) favorite best track of the series and has been for some time:

Final Fantasy IX Music - You're Not Alone!

A very emotional scene and short scene in the Final Fantasy IX intended to inspire you to continue on, this track served well for me with the intentions of creation many scenes for projects based off this track. The absolute drastic change in instruments was the deal maker of this track, from what sounds like a pan flute to electric guitars and even an orchestra of singing men, it was just a flurry of emotion at the time.



As for your tracks, AA7, I'm going to have to counter and say Terra's theme, though memorable, is only a special treat when played on piano:

Nobuo Uematsu FFVI Terra Theme Piano Version

Honestly, it sounds like a garble of instruments when done via an orchestra. However, when heard softly on a piano, it's highly impactful. Almost as much as- YES, the Promise from FF13, however, personally not as much as.. Dun dun dun: FFX:

Final Fantasy X Music - Zanarkand

This piano theme outbeats them all, by far easily triggers the state of sadness immediately in your mind, followed by what may seem like hope, however making you wonder.. Why? Which, then as you know, compels you to play.

As for your "Maria and Draco" opera track.. Sure it's long, sure it's emotional, but really? The BEST track EVAR? Do you really wish to claim that title on this track simply because it's an opera from the vast selection you have available to you? Even after what I've presented to you? Go on. State your answer.

Urge to replay Final Fantasies rising...

Marco wrote: Urge to replay Final Fantasies rising...

You don't gots the guts, don't bother!

Less guts, more time and patience.  If you want to power through with guts, you'll get gutted.  Puns for the pun god.

I must admit, I didn't know too much about Kefka save that he was one badass villain. After listening to his theme -- and seeing some gameplay videos of him on youtube -- I'm already starting to like the crazed and ruthlessly insane Clown. And is it worth mentioning that Shigeru Chiba had the best possible role when it came to voicing him?


Right now I've got the itching urge to purchase FFIX off ebay (or from some other place that has it) just to listen to this particular theme.



Captain Albert Steiner is so damn hilarious, I just have to laugh whenever I think of him.

Final Fantasy IX Music - Court Jesters

Court Jesters as just as crazy acting as Steiner is, the poor guy. FFIX is definitely one of the top games I've played, shame I never wanted to beat the boss even though my final save point is right in front of him, haha.