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[Reveirg]

For KH and the old Versus trailers, it was Kaoru Wada. He's an amazing orchestrator

More recently for KH2.5 and this trailer, Shota Nakama of VGO orchestrated. He also did Hamauzu's stuff on Lightning Returns.

Are Nakama/VGO handling all/most of FFXV? Does that mean the old songs aren't making the cut?

Somnus better still be in the game ;;

 

[Falk]

But considering the sheer amount of tracks the game already has, and the fact that they have to add in new music for each patch and expansion, I guess the costs and production hurdles would be insane.

Oh pls, we did 54 tracks for strings/horns for KH2.5 and that had a budget for a remaster, not a mainline title. Also for Lightning Returns, we just so happen to be able to do things really efficiently. (And to be honest, Shota and I put a lot of work into the project beyond what was expected)

I don't think revamping everything that exists in ARR and then sticking with that route for expansions down the road is unfeasible from a purely resource and workload-oriented view. However, those calls are for people within Square Enix to make, obviously.

FWIW Shota Nakama did re-orchestrate a few pieces for the FFXIV launch event in China, which was performed live. Met up with Soken, discovered they have a lot of common interests.

BELIEVE

edit: holy cow thanks youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPcrg0jHqgY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKCET7nfUgI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p97GPoQDXfc

edit2: beaten apparently

Are Nakama/VGO handling all/most of FFXV? Does that mean the old songs aren't making the cut?

Somnus better still be in the game ;;

That I'm not at liberty to say. Sorry!

 

[Thoraxes]

Both Shimomura and Uematsu have a stronger sense of melody and tend to have much catchier and memorable songs.

I think memorability is more up to the listener's capacity for listening to music.

Like, I think people with classical training are much more receptive to Hamauzu's works because they know how and what to listen for in his pieces. There's a sense of nuance that the common listener just can not appreciate in some of his music.

And I say that as someone who did academic papers, analysis, and presentations on him and his music when I was in grad school.

 

[Reveirg]

Oh pls, we did 54 tracks for strings/horns for KH2.5 and that had a budget for a remaster, not a mainline title. Also for Lightning Returns, we just so happen to be able to do things really efficiently. (And to be honest, Shota and I put a lot of work into the project beyond what was expected)

I don't think revamping everything that exists in ARR and then sticking with that route for expansions down the road is unfeasible from a purely resource and workload-oriented view. However, those calls are for people within Square Enix to make, obviously.

FWIW Shota Nakama did re-orchestrate a few pieces for the FFXIV launch event in China, which was performed live. Met up with Soken, discovered they have a lot of common interests.

BELIEVE

That's certainly good to know!

Though from what I gathered from Soken's panel at the Fan Fest last weekend, he's often ask to compose and deliver finished tracks in ~2 days. Going the live instruments path certainly puts a roadblock in this sort of "agile" development.

For the record, I'm 100% for live instruments!

 

[Reszo]

I recently became a fan of Soken myself. Not my favorite but he is good.
Praetorium's Theme, Penitus is awesome

 

[Teremap]

FWIW Shota Nakama did re-orchestrate a few pieces for the FFXIV launch event in China, which was performed live. Met up with Soken, discovered they have a lot of common interests.

You mention that and don't bother posting any links to the actual music?!

FOR SHAME!

A New Hope (Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra)
Torn From the Heavens (Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra)
And you! A Realm Reborn Medley (Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra)

 

[HeelPower]

Falk you beast.

You play the games and make their music too

LR's OST was beastly.Especially the series of final battle songs.

 

[wmlk]

His music doesn't scream FF/Uematsu at all.

If anything it screams of Hitoshi Sakimoto's work on FFXII,a distinctly different soundtrack from all of FF.

Like I said I DO think his work is nice but not one of my favorites overall.Same with Naoshi Mizuta.Nice but not the best. imo obviously.



Best music in the game.

Again this sounds very much like something Sakimoto would compose.Not Uematsu.

That's just one of the many types of music Soken can do.

His Drakengard influence is really noticeable for Ramuh's battle music, and I love it.

i havent played XIV but does every town in it just has these bombastic themes for major towns or something, isnt there something more subdued

Here's Gridania's music. Another one of the starting towns.

I am really disappointed that Square Enix didn't endorse Hamauzu's new version of the "FF theme".

I really love this song ,but they just didn't achieve consistency with it even within the Trilogy.


Its a brilliant take on the Final Fantasy main theme.

This theme was never really meant to be the FF theme. It's just the 'Miracles' leitmotif present in Sulyya Springs and a bunch of other tracks.

THIS is the main theme from Hamauzu. It's fantastic. We haven't heard music like this in an offline game since FFIX, and that's a damn shame.

EDIT:

Are Nakama/VGO handling all/most of FFXV? Does that mean the old songs aren't making the cut?

Somnus better still be in the game ;;

I don't really know anything, but if I were to guess, then yes. This is what the tweet was from them late August.

Holy crap we will be recording for "that" game? Can't wait!!!

Then, they said that to wait 'til mid-September to find out what the game is. The revealed game was FFXV, so it's safe to assume there's a solid connection.

 

[Falk]

That's certainly good to know!

Though from what I gathered from Soken's panel at the Fan Fest last weekend, he's often ask to compose and deliver finished tracks in ~2 days. Going the live instruments path certainly puts a roadblock in this sort of "agile" development.

For the record, I'm 100% for live instruments!

Yeah, that's a lot of what I meant by that's a decision that has to come from within Square Enix.

Maybe what we can hope for is an officially sanctioned live arrange album. That would be beyond fantastic.

(And sorry for this massive tangent hahahaha)

 

[wmlk]

Yeah, that's a lot of what I meant by that's a decision that has to come from within Square Enix.

Maybe what we can hope for is an officially sanctioned live arrange album. That would be beyond fantastic.

(And sorry for this massive tangent hahahaha)

You guys need to contact Mitsuda somehow and finish that damn Chrono Cross arranged album he's been teasing for forever now.

He's too quiet nowadays.

 

[Falk]

About that...

 

[HeelPower]

This theme was never really meant to be the FF theme. It's just the 'Miracles' leitmotif present in Sulyya Springs and a bunch of other tracks.

I think it was supposed to be but Square Enix backed out.Its also present in the prelude to FFXIII.

Its just a theory of mine and I could be wrong ,but I think its pretty evident in how similar it is to the original theme.

At least should've been consistent for the XIII trilogy.

Also,yeah his work on FFIV remakes was brilliant.

 

[plutoknight]

Yeah, that's a lot of what I meant by that's a decision that has to come from within Square Enix.

Maybe what we can hope for is an officially sanctioned live arrange album. That would be beyond fantastic.

(And sorry for this massive tangent hahahaha)

Or maybe using you guys for like...special event music (FFXI players probably remember when you beat Chains of Promathia ans were greeted with a song WITH REAL LIVE INSTRUMENTS AND VOCALS AND STUFF and it was glorious).

 

[wmlk]

I think it was supposed to be but Square Enix backed out.Its also present in the prelude to FFXIII.

Its just a theory of mine and I could be wrong ,but I think its pretty evident in how similar it is to the original theme.

At least should've been consistent for the XIII trilogy.

Also,yeah his work on FFIV remakes was brilliant.

I think you're making a bit of a stretch here.

FFXIV 1.0 was released soon after FFXIII, and it had the traditional music.

The track you're talking about isn't even implied as the 'main theme' anywhere.

 

[Falk]

I think it was supposed to be but Square Enix backed out.Its also present in the prelude to FFXIII.

Its just a theory of mine and I could be wrong ,but I think its pretty evident in how similar it is to the original theme.

At least should've been consistent for the XIII trilogy.

Also,yeah his work on FFIV remakes was brilliant.

I got the impression that Miracles was pretty much the theme of FFXIII, while Promise and Blinded By Light were more of heavily-recurring character themes.

It's even present in the ending cutscene of Lightning Returns (and thus the ending of the trilogy)

 

[Reveirg]

Yeah, that's a lot of what I meant by that's a decision that has to come from within Square Enix.

Maybe what we can hope for is an officially sanctioned live arrange album. That would be beyond fantastic.

It definitely would!

 

[Dark_castle]

I am really disappointed that Square Enix didn't endorse Hamauzu's new version of the "FF theme".

I really love this song ,but they just didn't achieve consistency with it even within the Trilogy.


Its a brilliant take on the Final Fantasy main theme.

If you ask me, they should never never create a new FF main theme at all. That's like the anthem of the series. The soul and the origin, if you will.

 

[HeelPower]

If you ask me, they should never never create a new FF main theme at all. That's like the anthem of the series. The soul and the origin, if you will.

I would agree.They should always use this song at the end.

Would be much better option than "My Hands" or "New World".

God I hope we don't get a terrible vocal ending song for FFXV PLEASE

I got the impression that Miracles was pretty much the theme of FFXIII, while Promise and Blinded By Light were more of heavily-recurring character themes.

FFXIV 1.0 was released soon after FFXIII, and it had the traditional music.

Probably yeah.I guess I am the only one who had that impression about Miracles.

 

[Dirtie]

When I hear the piano at the start I instantly think of this.

 

[wmlk]

When I hear the piano at the start I instantly think of this.

I dunno if you're implying that it was Shimomura, but that was actually ACE+.

 

[Dark_castle]

When I hear the piano at the start I instantly think of this.

And the second part reminds me of this.

 

[i-Jest]

Downloaded.

 

[Reveirg]

It personally reminds me of this Shimomura track.

 

[MagnaderAlpha]

I would agree.They should always use this song at the end.

Would be much better option than "My Hands" or "New World".

God I hope we don't get a terrible vocal ending song for FFXV PLEASE

I really hope we get Shimomura's personal arrangement of the FF theme for FFXV. Shame we didn't get an actually Hamauzu arrangement for FFXIII, but instead, got it for Final Fantasy IV: The After Year's CG opening movie.

And as for a vocal song, I hope the most we get is something like Somnus, the only VOCALS I wanna hear is Latin chanting. I don't want a ballad, and while I love Shimomura(I really do think she's a fitting successor to Uematsu, because she has a very strong melodic style, and some quirk in her), for what I love out of Kingdom Hearts, musically, it's most definitely NOT the vocal themes(urgh, I.... HATE them, and hate is a strong word, but I really, REALLY dislike those songs).

Though, speaking of Somnus, wasn't that being passed off as being one of the "BIG" FFXV(at the time, Versus) theme songs? Really hope it's so, or at least something equally Latin-chant-heavy. No mushy mushy pop love ballad.

 

[wmlk]

And the second part reminds me of this.

I think it's a bit of a shame that everyone assumes that Shimomura did the majority of the Xenoblade music. Gaur Plains is also by ACE+.

 

[Falk]

While we're on the topic of Shimomura's music

 

[Dirtie]

I dunno if you're implying that it was Shimomura, but that was actually ACE+.

I wasn't, and I wasn't aware of the link until I saw this thread. Just noting that the similarity in the intro piano was almost enough to make me expect the Xenoblade track to follow.

 

[Dark_castle]

I think it's a bit of a shame that everyone assumes that Shimomura did the majority of the Xenoblade music. Gaur Plains is also by ACE+.

I knew that.

 

[Falk]

and while I love Shimomura(I really do think she's a fitting successor to Uematsu, because she has a very strong melodic style, and some quirk in her), for what I love out of Kingdom Hearts, musically, it's most definitely NOT the vocal themes(urgh, I.... HATE them, and hate is a strong word, but I really, REALLY dislike those songs).

Uh, Utada Hikaru?

 

[MagnaderAlpha]

Uh, Utada Hikaru?

I always thought Shimomura wrote the songs and Hikaru sung them. I never knew she was responsible for all the vocal songs. Though, in all fairness, I think Simple and Clean's more tolerable(as far as my personal tastes are concerned). Sanctuary is, like, a needle to the eardrum. But yeah, I really don't care for vocal ballads.

Even FF proper, I thought the majority of them(especially Eyes on Me) felt very corny and ripe with sappiness and cheese. The only one I really like is Answers, and maybe that's because it's less pop-influenced and more, hmmm, medieval power ballad/"Bard Rock"(which I find interesting and unique amongst the slew of pop oriented music)? I'm for Bard Rock, if that's an option!

 

[VindicatorZ]

I always thought Shimomura wrote the songs and Hikaru sung them. I never knew she was responsible for all the vocal songs. Though, in all fairness, I think Simple and Clean's more tolerable(as far as my personal tastes are concerned). Sanctuary is, like, a needle to the eardrum. But yeah, I really don't care for vocal ballads.

Even FF proper, I thought the majority of them(especially Eyes on Me) felt very corny and ripe with sappiness and cheese. The only one I really like is Answers, and maybe that's because it's less pop-influenced and more, hmmm, medieval power ballad/"Bard Rock"(which I find interesting and unique amongst the slew of pop oriented music)? I'm for Bard Rock, if that's an option!

I love Sanctuary. Shimomura is amazing and she's going to knock this soundtrack out of the park.

I wonder how much of the OST is done? I hope it's a long one.

 

[dragonzdogma]

Is anyone buying a ps4 just to play ffvx demo?

 

[wmlk]

Yeah. I don't want any typical pop music near this game at all.

Maybe it works for Kingdom Hearts and its audience, but this game seems different (if we're to go by all the trailers).

Shimomura has done some awesome stuff with other vocalists, though. Here's Song of Mana from the Legend of Mana, vocalist is a Swedish singer - Annika Ljungberg.

There's an orchestral version from memória! as well.

I wasn't, and I wasn't aware of the link until I saw this thread. Just noting that the similarity in the intro piano was almost enough to make me expect the Xenoblade track to follow.

I knew that.

Guess I was the one who was assuming. I just don't see them getting enough credit so I jumped to conclusions.

Is anyone buying a ps4 just to play ffvx demo?

I feel like the demo will be inferior to the final game, so I'll be holding out. I'm gonna go on a blackout after Jump Festa.

 

[Famassu]

Eh, if anything Simple & Clean is more of your typical JPOP song while Passion/Sanctuary is this awesome, eerily haunting, nicely melancholic song, not to even mention the fan-freakin'-tastic orchestral arrangement of it

 

[VindicatorZ]

Oh yes keep the pop out of this game please. I love it in KH, but not here please.

I just hope Shimomura plays with some other instruments and sounds. I don't want everything to be orchestral violins and pianos. Some ethereal synth stuff would be nice.

 

[Famassu]

Some vocal songs could fit FFXV, considering it's a modern-ish world. It wouldn't be that out of place for some places in the game to possibly have some vocal songs playing in the background. Keep them out of the overworld, but in some city environments... why not? I wouldn't be completely horrified if some TWEWY/Persona like music played as background music in Lucis, for example...

 

[MagnaderAlpha]

Some vocal songs could fit FFXV, considering it's a modern-ish world. It wouldn't be that out of place for some places in the game to possibly have some vocal songs playing in the background. Keep them out of the overworld, but in some city environments... why not? I wouldn't be completely horrified if some TWEWY/Persona like music played as background music in Lucis, for example...

Because it has a modern setting really don't mean much. You get pop-ish vocal songs for non-modern set FFs. It's just a preference, I guess, and has little to do with setting. Even most JRPGs(non-Square, even), despite many being set in overly medieval worlds, tend to have J-pop theme songs selling them.

Taste wise, I just would like something different from that for this game. So far, all the music I'm hearing from FFXV is wonderful(even, like he second part of the trailer music, with a hint of fanciful nature). I'd much rather FFXV follow it's own style than try to appeal to other styles(even pop ballads), just because.

 

[Falk]

I think the vocal songs in Squaresoft/Square Enix properties I loved the most have to be Joanne Hogg singing on Mitsuda's stuff for Xenogears and Xenosaga EP1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYsQ0F76AOg

Seriously. It encapsulates both the game and Mitsuda's style so well.

(And yes, I know Xenosaga isn't Square)

Come to think of it Radical Dreamers was awesome too.

Let's just say Mitsuda's vocal themes for games are on a tier of their own.

 

[wmlk]

I think the vocal songs in Squaresoft/Square Enix properties I loved the most have to be Joanne Hogg singing on Mitsuda's stuff for Xenogears and Xenosaga EP1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYsQ0F76AOg

Seriously. It encapsulates both the game and Mitsuda's style so well.

(And yes, I know Xenosaga isn't Square)

YES! Totally agree. Love the Irish/Celtic influence. It does encapsulate his whole style.

Star of Tears sounds terribly 90s at some parts, but I love it. It's rearranged to the world map theme.

Supposedly he was bothered by TItanic sharing so many musical similarities, and it was coming out nearly the same time as Xenogears.

y u so best mitsuda. y u disappear

 

[Falk]

Met Mitsuda again two weeks ago actually! Mitsuda, Sakimoto, Shimomura, Hamauzu, Makino, and Swery65 (lol) were guests at a VGO concert in Taiwan. Was pretty awesome.

edit: lol

 

[wmlk]

Met Mitsuda again two weeks ago actually! Mitsuda, Sakimoto, Shimomura, Makino, and Swery65 (lol) were guests at a VGO concert in Taiwan. Was pretty awesome.

Yeah, I saw that. He's got the whole Sakurai thing going on with his looks. Hamauzu aged like fine wine looking at his pic.

He's not nearly as prominent as he used to be, though. Just not a lot of output for games.

Also, LOL

I can only imagine how happy some people are with official Roen apparel. I bet they'll merchandise it soon.

 

[Dark_castle]

A wild Noctis has appeared.

 

[Philippo]

Some vocal songs could fit FFXV, considering it's a modern-ish world. It wouldn't be that out of place for some places in the game to possibly have some vocal songs playing in the background. Keep them out of the overworld, but in some city environments... why not? I wouldn't be completely horrified if some TWEWY/Persona like music played as background music in Lucis, for example...

Well they have a Lucis radio station, no?
I wouldn't be surprised if it airs some modern-ish music, i'd love to see something rock/punk music re-imagined in a fantasy world by Shimomura, lol.

 

[TheF1BOB]

I thought it was really disappointing that they gave Lightning Returns soundtrack the full-budget treatment, with live strings, percs, etc., and ARR's OST had NONE of that.

But considering the sheer amount of tracks the game already has, and the fact that they have to add in new music for each patch and expansion, I guess the costs and production hurdles would be insane.

As far as composition goes, Soken is definitely really, really talented. I feel like he doesn't have his own "color" or "touch" like Hamauzu, Sakimoto and Shimomura do. But that will surely come out eventually.

Maybe because LR's soundtrack is amazing and one of the best to be released?

My OST of the year along with the PLUS OST.

 

[Koozek]

Like I said I DO think his work is nice but not one of my favorites overall.Same with Naoshi Mizuta.Nice but not the best. imo obviously.

Mizuta is the closest you get to Uematsu in that his music is more "memorable"/simpler (not in a bad way, just not particularly complex like Hamauzu/Sakimoto).
At first I felt he was too similiar to Uematsu but after FF Dimensions, FFXIII-2 and LR I really started liking his work more and more. It's a pretty good compromise between Uematsu's and Hamauzu's styles.
I have to admit, with a few of Mizuta's FFXIII-2 and LR songs I sometimes couldn't tell if it was him, Suzuki or Hamauzu and this means a lot coming from a huge stan of latter like me^^ Mizuta's good at "emulating" Hamauzu and Suzuki which makes everything a bit more coherent.

Here are some of his better songs:
FFXIII-2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49rw1E3unMA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi05oQJFzuc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOpuVXhg6CE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdframgnBVE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIhG4_vfYwM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTWPdcXm0Iw

LR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VDhQTDKqe4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfZiwvcmmcM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-v5tVXDSa4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e-QaPccfm0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C47W-WEHK2Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH4YGpr8t4E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKUZD93USdo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZbtIbP55_U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1REaykOvAoM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLmhaVXu99U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4FBCwoS8WI


FF Dimensions (really Uematsu-esque, though deliberately --- EDIT: Now that I think about it: it's not really that similiar to Uematsu; Mizuta definitely has his own sound here and I like it):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNMtizra_V8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fslZPlnlHZI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaFeZkYKESc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnR2fD-LoEg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au-Ew6rwWpE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udi7c1o1_d4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67bSUP6sb-w

 

[plutoknight]

Some vocal songs could fit FFXV, considering it's a modern-ish world. It wouldn't be that out of place for some places in the game to possibly have some vocal songs playing in the background. Keep them out of the overworld, but in some city environments... why not? I wouldn't be completely horrified if some TWEWY/Persona like music played as background music in Lucis, for example...

I love love LOVED the vocal songs in 13-2 and LR (Desert Lullaby for life), and I think vocal songs done right in JRPGs is my new favorite thing. I'm down for that, especially as town music or even special boss fight music.

Mizuta is the closest you get to Uematsu in that his music is more "memorable"/simpler (not in a bad way, just not particularly complex like Hamauzu/Sakimoto).
At first I felt he was too similiar to Uematsu but after FF Dimensions, FFXIII-2 and LR I really started liking his work more and more. It's a pretty good compromise between Uematsu's and Hamauzu's styles.
I have to admit, with a few of Mizuta's FFXIII-2 and LR songs I sometimes couldn't tell if it was him, Suzuki or Hamauzu and this means a lot coming from a huge stan of latter like me^^ Mizuta's good at "emulating" Hamauzu and Suzuki which makes everything a bit more coherent.

You post Mizuta music but none of it is from FFXI . (It's okay, I'll post some more Mizuta goodness for you.)

A Realm of Emptiness
Abyssea (Field)
Stargazing
Ululations from Beyond

God. Now I'm nostalgiaing hard for FF11 again. Obviously, all of these tracks are more synth heavy (that poor PS2!), but Mizuta does an EXCELLENT job working with synth, I believe. Incredibly talented.

 

[Koozek]

I love love LOVED the vocal songs in 13-2 and LR (Desert Lullaby for life), and I think vocal songs done right in JRPGs is my new favorite thing. I'm down for that, especially as town music or even special boss fight music.



You post Mizuta music but none of it is from FFXI . (It's okay, I'll post some more Mizuta goodness for you.)

A Realm of Emptiness
Abyssea (Field)
Stargazing
Ululations from Beyond

God. Now I'm nostalgiaing hard for FF11 again. Obviously, all of these tracks are more synth heavy (that poor PS2!), but Mizuta does an EXCELLENT job working with synth, I believe. Incredibly talented.

Never played an online FF, but what you posted sounds nice!

 

[Falk]

FF11 and ARR definitely have soundtracks that are worth listening to even if you're not an MMO guy.

 

[Koozek]

FF11 and ARR definitely have soundtracks that are worth listening to even if you're not an MMO guy.

Okay, I might give them a listen someday! Only heard a few but most of the ARR ones unfortunately were mostly "epic" orchestral, IIRC (I might be very wrong, though), which I don't like. But I know there are many melodic songs, too, just haven't heard them yet.

 

[threelights]

I like vocal songs, as long as they fit the moment, I don't care if I hate the style or not.

Ayaka did a good job at the ending of Crisis Core, Bump of Chicken did a good job in Type-0, and I don't even like those types of songs.

Is anyone buying a ps4 just to play ffvx demo?

I might, but Bloodborne and No Man's Sky will have a large part in my decision as well.