I like the sound of sullen music, so I dig it, but never want to hear it when I play. This song has a little more substance than The Winner, as it continues on for a bit with a sullen theme, which is then followed up by a sullen version of older FF Crystal Theme’s. Certainly a theme you hope to not hear when you play the game, but things happen. I do think though, like Don’t Be Afraid, you hear it a lot in the game and you just sort of tire out on it.Īnd in a contrast to The Winner, this theme is reserved for when you die and get the game over screen. It’s a solid theme, and it’s definitely better than Don’t Be Afraid. It has an interesting sound with the synthesizer carrying most of the weight. The overall feel of the tune is that of a tense battle that is going to be very rewarding. Now we get to the first boss battle theme. Seeing as though it’s just a minute long, I won’t really delve further into it. It has that eerie, tension sound to it, which makes total sense. When dialogue is happening that you know is going to lead to a fight. I would describe this tune as a sort of pre-boss battle theme. I imagine that’s how the song was first thought up, then was expanded to add to it, but it sounds so good in its raw form too. I learned to appreciate it further when I watched a piano cover of this song. But it’s sad because this is an excellent song. Sadly, this theme just plays when the opening events of Dollet happen and while you pursue your mission. The drums just freak you out after a while. Aside from the middle of the theme though, it does get tiring to listen to. Once events start happening beyond the opening events in Esthar, this then becomes the theme. This theme shows up when a new SeeD mission starts, in various parts of the game. When the theme gets further along, it’s pretty good. And it really does have a military type sound with the heavy snare drums that open up the song.
Relax for now, but you’ll be getting punched in the face soon enough.Īs the title states, it’s like the anthem for Balamb’s mercenary group. It has a calm before the storm type sound. You first hear this theme when you enter the Fire Cavern, then again in Centra Ruins and Tomb of the Unknown King later in the game. The “lead” piano part that plays the faster notes is just fantastic and compliments the “rhythm” so well. I love this theme, one of my personal favorites in the game. It does the job its intended and that’s all I can really say about it, being a really short theme.
#Final fantasy viii original soundtrack series#
Personally I think the first series of notes pretty much tells you that, and the rest is just a looping continuation that comes after. The battle victory theme as well as other victories in the game. It does have an intensity to the music, but it comes off as bland to me. With that said, I never really liked this theme. I’m mostly not a fan of battle themes probably because you hear it so much when you play through the game you just become numb to it over time. This theme sort of reminds me of a mystery type sound, not really fitting the atmosphere. I just find it kind of bland and not very melodic like some of the overworld themes in other games. I like the overworld theme in most FF games, but I’m not big on this one. But I like the sound and it goes with the overall setting well. And when you do get that in the Garden, it will be different music. And this makes sense given that when you’re in the Garden, it’s just students and faculty doing their thing with no tense activity or raised emotions. I has a soft demeanor to it and just gives off a relaxing vibe. But overall it’s a largely forgettable theme that you’ll only hear once in several hours of gameplay (and at the very beginning to boot) to make it more forgettable. The music does well to capture the scenes as they’re happening. It’s mainly a piece to introduce you to some select scenes from the game, the graphics, and the sort of overall tone to the game. This is the track that plays to introduce you to the game. For part 1, I will focus on disc 1 from this 4 disc soundtrack. This game (and soundtrack), I have a lot of sentimental value for, so the review may seem a bit biased. I am choosing to write about Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack first because this was the first Final Fantasy game I played, and my introduction to this game series’ excellent soundtracks. Time to dive into a more modern, longer, deeper soundtrack.