OGRE -Grand Repeat- H. Sakimoto, M. Iwata (for symphonic lovers)

Ogre -Grand Repeat- is a superb orchestral arrangement of the music from the Ogre Battle and Tactics Ogre games. The music was already extraordinary in these games and took the SNES sound to its best level. But this album truly gives homage to the wonderful music of Sakimoto and Iwata by offering it a sumptuous symphonic enhancement.

Note: this version is a HQ VBR one I downloaded long ago. The sound quality is really good, so enjoy!

Ogre -Grand Repeat-

Music: Hitoshi Sakimoto (1, 4, 5, 8, 10), Masaharu Iwata (2, 3, 6, 7, 9)
Arrangement: Masatsugu Shinozaki
Conductor: Koji Haijima

Mp3 VBR HQ

Thanks to BAMAToNE

http://tinyurl.com/ctug3s

1. GRAND REPEAT / Overture Neo-Overture
2. Chivalry and Savagery
3. Chaotic Island
4. VENDETTA!
5. Revolt
6. Breath of the Earth
7. GRAND REPEAT II / Fog of Phantom
8. Fortune Teller 2
9. Fight It Out!
10. Passing Moment

A rich orchestral arrangement of the music from the Ogre Battle series. About time!

Review by Adam Page

Ogre Battle, even after enjoying U.S. releases on two separate platforms, has still made little press in the game music scene. While there may be strong competition against the strategy game itself, Ogre Battle’s soundtrack still has few rivals in its genre. Its semi-sequel, Tactics Ogre, never came over, but an updated version will soon be localized and released on the PlayStation. Several years ago, Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata, who recently scored Final Fantasy Tactics, offered up these rich and engaging soundtracks that seemed to pass right by uninterested American game music fans. Well, American game music fans, sit up and take notice.

Ogre ~ Grand Repeat is exactly what those soundtracks deserved – a full symphonic onslaught of sound and emotion. A little late in the making perhaps, but welcomed with open arms. Players of the PS version of Ogre Battle will recognize half of the first track, "Overture", from the opening of the game. I have not played through the PS edition, but it’s likely they used "Neo Overture" and "Revolt" as well. The remaining melodies are from Tactics Ogre, but are so similar to Ogre Battle in theme and style that there is little division between the two while listening.

The arrangements, when compared to their OSVs, are very faithful. There is little to no embellishment of the original melodies, just a fuller and more authentic sound. The performances are fantastic – skilled, stirring, and error-free. Fans of Risa Ohki will be pleased to know that she sings in several songs, but unfortunately has no solo performances and is virtually indiscernible from the other members of the chorus.

Excellent orchestral arrangements like this one are relatively hard to come by for game music fans. I extend my recommendation even to those who are unfamiliar with the game series.

The music is really good.
As a person who listens to mainly choral music I can say that the chorus is horrible though. 🙂

Thanks for the music and information.

Never heard of this album to be honest, but after first listen I think it’s really nice. Thanks:).

really good stuff.. thanks a lot!!

I never played this games but Sakimoto and Iwata ftw specially in orchestral I got to listen that.

Thank you !!!!

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Thanks a lot!! The choral is horrible but otherwise lovely!

The choir is bloody awful, the orchestra is too small, and it sounds like it was recorded in a lead box. But who cares, because it’s wonderful! Thank you for posting, sir!

For some reason the slightly hokey performance only adds to the charm. It’s a testament to the wonderful things Japanese composers consistently achieve with next-to-no budget.

And I’m really becoming fond of Sakimoto these last couple of days; FF Tactics and now this… Uh-oh, I think a convert is being born. 😉

Unreal. I never thought this existed. Thank you so much for supplying this.

Still think the Fortune Teller track is the best thing both of them have ever done.

I find the remarks about the choir rather insisting given the fact it really doesn’t appear much in this album (people seem to be choir-obsessed), but it’s true it’s weird. But in fact with time, like Danny said, it becomes part of its charm, that and the unperfect performance. Once you get used to them, it seems this album just sounds the way it should.

Anyway, the music is SUPERB, its beauty, grace and elegance are unmatched for a mere Snes game. But you know what? This version only covers A VERY SMALL PORTION of the music of those games, there are a lot of magnificient themes that have been left over. Isn’t that a pity?

Great moment orchestral, thank you!

The comments really made me want to download this. I know this game has good music but I had no idea that such an album existed.
Thanks for sharing!

I’m also really getting into Sakimoto. Thanks!

Any chance that someone could re-up this score? Curious to take a listen. Many thanks!

I have it in my thread (Thread 136724).

Link off. 🙁