Game OSTS and Kajiura Yuki

I am not a great fan of game music; however, as many around me enjoy gaming and its music, I could not help but become acquainted with some of the game music around. In particular, from a young age I used to observe Final Fantasy gamers. Yes. Indeed, I once tried to play FF8. However, due to my lack of any sort of gaming skill whatsoever, with help I only managed to get to the third disc before I gave up.

That being said, I have much admiration for the people who are able to finish such games, as well as for the composers of the music for them. One game to which i have recently been exposed is Touhou. Well, I haven’t actually played it, but it has really cool music XD it’s really catchy!

There are many other games out there with worthy soundtracks, too! Obviously, there is the Final Fantasy series (music by celebrated composer Nobuo Uematsu). OSTs of this series are very popular, although in my opinion after a while the music becomes rather repetitive, especially since some of the pieces are reused between later and earlier games of the series. However, you probably wouldn’t notice this unless you listened to several soundtracks of FF. Besides, Nobuo Uematsu is impressive anyway for being able to compose so much music. I’m also impressed with the battle themes, which are all different yet convey a sense of excitement and danger, perfect for a battle scene!
…then again i’m pretty sure that many other people like other things about Final Fantasy music. Please, do not take my opinion too seriously.

Another composer who I really like is Kajiura Yuki, who has composed several anime soundtracks as well, including Noir, Mai-HiME/otome, and .hack//SIGN, among others. But as this post is about game osts (beginning to wonder why i chose to talk about this topic since I so obviously have no expertise in this area), she has also composed music for some games. That is, Xenosaga II and III. In fact, all soundtracks for this game are outstanding, as Xenosaga I’s OST was composed by Yasunori Mitsuda, who also composed the music to Chrono Cross and Shadow Hearts. I am also a fan of his work, as it’s really pretty.

Hmm. so. Games aside, I’ll talk a little about Kajiura Yuki’s music, as it really appeals to me and I know that this is the same for many others! However, if you haven’t had the chance to acquaint yourself with her music, now is the time. You can find many of the soundtracks at Galbadia Hotel.

My favourite Kajiura soundtrack is the Mai-HiME and Mai-Otome soundtrack; they are quite similar in style, utilising opera-style soprano singing over drumbeats to create a haunting and stunning effect. One such track is Mezame. One of my favourite tracks is I Talk To the Rain, which, I have just discovered, is so popular that it has a fanlisting. It’s actually from Tsubasa Chronicle, though. It’s really pretty. It has a repeated G B G B etc motif which continues; it’s on guitar, i think, and it reminds one of the rain. When the violin comes in wetly singing, that is also rain-like; the singing is also very atmospheric and haunting. Overall, it’s a nostalgic song that seems to transport the listener to a time of rain, where everything is…magical.

I also like her music from Tsubasa Chronicle, actually. Another of my favourite tracks by her is Break the Sword of Justice, which is an active string piece (also containing a flute/some other instruments). It’s very dramatic and decisive and has an infectious beat…possibly not to some people XD but yes, i like it a lot.

Hmm. anyway. Yuki Kajiura <3

The Noir soundtrack is also quite good, i think, and I like the .hack//SIGN one too, though the singing is different. From .hack//SIGN, my recommended track is Key of the Twilight XD I. really like it.

It’s lucky i have so many things i like, isn’t it? perhaps i should be more critical when reviewing o_O