Final Fantasy has remained one of today's most popular video game franchises. With 16 numbered main entries released to date, each game has an equally fantastic soundtrack.
With music composers Nobuo Uematsu, Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masashi Hamauzu, and Yoko Shimomura in tow, they have created several masterpieces that have successfully defined the genre.
So, check out this list and fall in love with Final Fantasy’s soundtracks all over again.
Ink Long Dry by Masayoshi Soken (Final Fantasy XIV)
The original Final Fantasy XIV music was composed by Uematsu, the primary composer of the series. However, it was only with Soken’s participation in the 2013 reworked version of the game that it created one of the best soundtracks for the franchise—Ink Long Dry.
Soken contributed to most of the game’s version of traditional Final Fantasy music. Its massive track list includes remixed versions of several songs, like the original theme, and remixes of day and night melodies original to FFXIV.
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The jazz fusion composition on the piano of Ink Long Dry makes the gameplay tenser as players go through the ruins of ancient civilisations.
Other musical arrangements include A Realm Reborn and Heavensward, among others, and these add to the great experience of exploring the different regions of Eorzea.
Relax and Reflect by Yoko Shimomura (Final Fantasy XV)
The legendary composer Yoko Shimomura led the musical direction of this 2016 game and created one of the most memorable soundtracks in the franchise–Relax and Reflect.
Unlike previous soundtracks, which emphasised the franchise's medieval theme, this time, she used different genres, like jazz, soul, and waltz, which perfectly fit FFXV’s modern and personal story.
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Relax and Reflect plays when the party sets up camp or rests at an inn. With a more relaxed tune, this gives the players the quiet moment they need before the action begins.
Besaid by Masashi Hamauzu (Final Fantasy X)
Final Fantasy X marks the first time that Uematsu has collaborated with other music composers, Hamauzu and Junya Nakano.
These three have created some of the franchise's most iconic tracks, including Besaid by Hamauzu. The two were chosen to join the project and create music different from Uematsu’s style. The result? Perfection.
Other tracks like To Zanarkand and Suteki Da Ne? (Isn’t it Wonderful?) make the experience memorable.
The Man with the Machine Gun by Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy VIII)
Uematsu created the soundtrack for Final Fantasy VIII and based the songs on the emotional content of the scene in which they played.
This move was seen as expressing the players’ emotions instead of focusing on improving their skills. True enough, when the battle theme, The Man with the Machine Gun, plays, it intensifies the players' emotions.
Since then, the track has become one of the most popular themes from the series and has represented the game in several rearrangements and concerts.
One-Winged Angel by Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy VII)
Of course, this list would not have been complete without Uematsu's arrangement and composition of Final Fantasy VII's One-Winged Angel.
The song is the first theme in the series to feature vocals and is one of the franchise's most popular tracks. The title refers to the final boss, Safer Sephiroth, who has six white wings where his legs should be and a black wing in place of his right arm. Thus, One-Winged Angel.
Since then, it has been the motif for the character and is commonly used to refer to him. With his popularity, the song has received several arrangements and appeared several times outside FF7.
Final Fantasy has successfully created soundtracks that even people who haven’t played the games know their songs.
Which of these songs is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.
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