There's no vocals in the PC version? That's weird. How come that version isn't on the OST then?

I dunno. I think the only reason there's no vocals on the PC version is a technology issue. It was the first of only two PC ports they ever did, and they didn't do a thrilling job with either. I think all of the PC version FFVII tunes were done in MIDI.

I dunno. I think the only reason there's no vocals on the PC version is a technology issue. It was the first of only two PC ports they ever did, and they didn't do a thrilling job with either. I think all of the PC version FFVII tunes were done in MIDI.

That's kinda neat! I didn't know they changed the PC port of the game. So do all the songs have a different sound, meaning do the instruments being played sound different? I don't mean to ask if there were different songs in the PC version. I think I might've worded this question funny, sorry :erm:

No, I know what you mean. The answer is no, not really. It's just that some of them are better copies of the Playstation / original soundtrack versions than others. I still have copies of all of the FFVII PC version MIDIs on my hard drive if you / anyone else is interested.

And the music isn't the only thing they changed in the PC version port -- a good portion of the script is altered as well.

I definitely don't think XII has the worst music of the FF series. If one prefers more electronic-sounding music as to more orchestrated ones then that's a matter of taste and opinion. I played Final Fantasy Tactics and loved the soundtrack, XII I think is just as good. However the soundtrack for XII is far too repetitive on the recent Ivalice Alliance (i.e. Revenant Wings & FFTA 2).

No, I know what you mean. The answer is no, not really. It's just that some of them are better copies of the Playstation / original soundtrack versions than others. I still have copies of all of the FFVII PC version MIDIs on my hard drive if you / anyone else is interested.

And the music isn't the only thing they changed in the PC version port -- a good portion of the script is altered as well.

I most definitely am interested!:-P You wouldn't mind uploading it would you? Please?

I can't believe I missed out on the PC version, especially the script difference. I just thought it was the same game but on comp. I was a kid when they came out so of course I wouldn't have known nor did I look into it. Well now I'm interested in seeing what it's like.

I took a look on eBay and I say this one listing (http://cgi.ebay.com/Final-Fantasy-VII-7-PC-Games-Triangle-Box-Guide-L-K_W0QQitemZ110239498642QQihZ001QQcategoryZ62053QQs sPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) of the PC version. I didn't know it came with a triangle-like box. And -whoa!- it comes with a sweeto fold out thing where you store the 4 cds. Dang...I missed out...

Dant_e, we are getting so far afield that I think it is best that I PM you. Watch for that shortly -- I'll have some good info for you. And if anyone else is interested in this topic, I'm more than happy to talk with them by PM also...

Dant_e, we are getting so far afield that I think it is best that I PM you. Watch for that shortly -- I'll have some good info for you. And if anyone else is interested in this topic, I'm more than happy to talk with them by PM also...

I know, everytime I posted a reply I was scared a moderator would come and yell at us. But anyway, I look forward to your PM. Sounds good!

So let's discuss the thread question again: "Does FF XII have the worst music of the series?"

In my opinion, yes. I'm just not a fan of Hitoshi's style. Oh well. Please don't take offense to that whoever might be reading this. I also wanted to know, the people that liked the OST, what tracks seem to stand out to you the most?

I kinda wanna give the OST another chance since I only hear it in the game and not on my comp unlike the other OSTs. So I wanna hear some recommendations. Anyone?

I both like and dislike various tracks on FFXII's soundtrack. To answer the question, the tracks that stand out are "The Mosphoran Highwaste," "The Phon Coast," "Clash on the Big Bridge," "Kiss Me Goodbye" "Symphonic Poem, Hope," both the opening and ending movies, "Penelo's Theme," "Ozmone Plain," "Eruyt Village" and, forever and always, "Final Fantasy."

Just a side note. In order to correctly enjoy the MIDI tracks of FF VII PC the way they were meant to be enjoyed, you should have the Yamaha XG Soft-synthesiser installed on your PC.

Good point, Hynad. I forgot about that. I believe it comes bundled with the PC version of the game, but yeah, if not, you'll have to find and download it.

Good point, Hynad. I forgot about that. I believe it comes bundled with the PC version of the game, but yeah, if not, you'll have to find and download it.

I think I'm missing that. What is it, a .dll or somethin of that sort?

And the songs you mentioned, Agent0042, isn't "Clash on the Big Bridge" from Final Fantasy V?

I find FFXII's OST to be epic material with enough quiet and soothing tracks in between to get a nice mixture of moods. Of course, Disc 2 is the worst out of the four but still, I would need more than my two hands and feet to count all of my favorite tracks. 'Boss Battle', 'Battle for Freedom', 'Phon Coast', 'Eruyt Village', 'Esper Battle', 'Place of the Gods', and 'Agitation ~ Empire' are only a small selection of the tracks that I can put on repeat for a long time.

But yes, compared to Sakimoto's darker epic, Vagrant Story, it is a small candle before a big bonfire.

That being said, I need to be in an appropriate mood to listen to Sakimoto's music. It tends to be when I'm a bit grimmer or my mind is on medieval stuff - obvious, isn't it? - when it really sinks deep into my bones. As for my daily listening when I just want to kick back and relax?

Mitsuda. He's my answer for all of that. =)

I think I'm missing that. What is it, a .dll or somethin of that sort?
Not sure. If you want, I can try digging around my copy of the game and see if it's possible to make a copy of it to post.


And the songs you mentioned, Agent0042, isn't "Clash on the Big Bridge" from Final Fantasy V?
"Battle with Gilgamesh" was the music used in the Gilgamesh battles in Final Fantasy V. In a nice nod to that game, it was remixed / rearranged for the FFXII Gilgamesh battles and released under the title "Clash on the Big Bridge."

I kinda wanna give the OST another chance since I only hear it in the game and not on my comp unlike the other OSTs. So I wanna hear some recommendations. Anyone?

Listen to "Seeking Power" again. It's the music in the Paramina Rift (if you even got that far, I remember you telling me you took a break and never went back). Considering the Uematsu tracks you told me you liked, this one should maybe change your opinion of the OST. Also "The Forgotten Capital" which is played in the Necrohol which you probably didn't get to is a great track.

My favorite is "Theme of the Empire" but I'd only reccomend a certain half of it which is played at a certain point in the game and THEN listening to the whole thing together.

I was also gonna suggest Rabanastre but you already told me you liked that one.

Also, good to see you're not being a hypocrite after calling that other guy narrow-minded, most of the posters here probably would have been, lol.



I also have a question. While some of the FFXII tracks I have on my iPod are labeled with Sakimoto as the artist, I have a few that are "Hayato Matsuo", whos name I haven't heard mentioned once here. Seeking Power may have been one of them. What's up with that? Did he do half the OST along with Sakimoto?

I also have a question. While some of the FFXII tracks I have on my iPod are labeled with Sakimoto as the artist, I have a few that are "Hayato Matsuo", whos name I haven't heard mentioned once here. Seeking Power may have been one of them. What's up with that? Did he do half the OST along with Sakimoto?

Matsuo did maybe seven or so tracks on the album? Something along the lines. "Seeking Power and "The Forgotten Capital" are two of his. "A Land of Memories" as well; three enormously good tracks if you ask me.

For the record, Masaharu Iwata did two tracks on the album as well: "The Sochen Cave Palace" and "The Feywood". Also excellent stuff.

Not sure. If you want, I can try digging around my copy of the game and see if it's possible to make a copy of it to post.
That would be awesome! Keep me posted, please.


"Battle with Gilgamesh" was the music used in the Gilgamesh battles in Final Fantasy V. In a nice nod to that game, it was remixed / rearranged for the FFXII Gilgamesh battles and released under the title "Clash on the Big Bridge."
Oh, I just looked at the song on the FFV OST and it is named "Battle with Gilgamesh". What got me mixed up was that "The Black Mages" re-did that song on their first album and named it "Clash on the Big Bridge".

I do remember fighting Gilgamesh in FFV, for the first time (at least I think it's the first time), on a giant bridge. He would send waves of soldiers at you, so you would fight them and eventually you would make your way to the end where he was waiting.


Listen to "Seeking Power" again. It's the music in the Paramina Rift (if you even got that far, I remember you telling me you took a break and never went back). Considering the Uematsu tracks you told me you liked, this one should maybe change your opinion of the OST. Also "The Forgotten Capital" which is played in the Necrohol which you probably didn't get to is a great track.

My favorite is "Theme of the Empire" but I'd only reccomend a certain half of it which is played at a certain point in the game and THEN listening to the whole thing together.

I was also gonna suggest Rabanastre but you already told me you liked that one.
I will look into those when I get some free time. I've been slammed with ten page essays and 300 page books to read so I'll be busy for quite some time in the next three weeks.

I think I'll download "Theme of the Empire" right now and I'll give you my opinions on it later.


Also, good to see you're not being a hypocrite after calling that other guy narrow-minded, most of the posters here probably would have been, lol.
Like I said, I wanna give the FFXII OST another chance. I have to play the game all the way through anyway so why not try to enjoy it more by sprucening up my musical taste (for the FFXII OST that is)? Haha!


I also have a question. While some of the FFXII tracks I have on my iPod are labeled with Sakimoto as the artist, I have a few that are "Hayato Matsuo", whos name I haven't heard mentioned once here. Seeking Power may have been one of them. What's up with that? Did he do half the OST along with Sakimoto?
Not half, more like seven or so songs. Also, on the FFXII OST, Masaharu Iwata composed two songs, Taro Hakase & Yuji Toriyama, together, composed one song, and -hey, what a surprise!- Nobuo Uematsu composed seven songs. The majority of the OST was done by Hitoshi. I can give you a list of who composed what song if you're interested.

Originally Posted by Agent0042 View Post
Not sure. If you want, I can try digging around my copy of the game and see if it's possible to make a copy of it to post.
That would be awesome! Keep me posted, please.
All right, I copied the yahama folder from the install disc to my hard drive, so hopefully that should do the trick. I did see a file within it called setup.exe I'll get it all uploaded soon.


Oh, I just looked at the song on the FFV OST and it is named "Battle with Gilgamesh". What got me mixed up was that "The Black Mages" re-did that song on their first album and named it "Clash on the Big Bridge".
Hrm, so it would seem the official Square Enix folks are taking cues from The Black Mages then.

All right, I copied the yahama folder from the install disc to my hard drive, so hopefully that should do the trick. I did see a file within it called setup.exe I'll get it all uploaded soon.
Righteous!


Hrm, so it would seem the official Square Enix folks are taking cues from The Black Mages then.
Haha, you really think so? Well they are Nobuo's songs but then that makes me wonder: who has the official licenses over the FF music, Nobuo or Square?

Right, I'll get that posted soon. As for the question -- which do you think? Almost certainly Square.

I think Square does too. But if I put myself in Nobuo's shoes I would at least want to have some sort of privileges towards them since I composed them (I being Nobuo) in the first place. Hmmm, maybe Wikipedia knows somethin...

The Yamaha thing is up. http://agent0042.fileburst.com/yamaha.zip

Good luck! Hope it works okay. Lemme know if for some reason it doesn't work or anything. And if it does, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how the sound of the MIDIs changes once it's installed.

Nobuo was credited in XII, but that was for the tracks such as "Clash on the Big Bridge", "Final Fantasy", the Chocobo theme, the Fanfare after bosses, etc.

I'm a bit disappointed by so many people posting about how they didn't like the FF12's OST.

I am absolutely enamored with Sakimoto's orchestral, heavy baseline pieces. They're so well written and extremely entertaining to listen to.

The Yamaha thing is up. http://agent0042.fileburst.com/yamaha.zip

Good luck! Hope it works okay. Lemme know if for some reason it doesn't work or anything. And if it does, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how the sound of the MIDIs changes once it's installed.

...Lame. It says i need Windows95 or later and I'm using Vista, shoot! Any suggestions?

You should make a partition with Windows XP on it.

I think it's a pre-requisite to do so if you want to have Vista at all cost, since there are still a lot of backward compatibility problems with it.

Uuugghhh...I think I'll pass. Although, I do have an older computer downstairs with XP on it. I'll try and use that after I get around to wiping the drive. It's swarming with viruses, malware, and, most of all, rootkits.

...Lame. It says i need Windows95 or later and I'm using Vista, shoot! Any suggestions?
None. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's incompatible with Vista. For that matter, I've yet to hear of anybody who's managed to successfully play Final Fantasy VII for PC in Vista. I have Windows XP and managed to get VII to run. The game was designed for Windows 95, though, and requires one or more patches to be compatible with XP.

I have no plans to try installing Vista on my current system, which is already showing its age with XP. As for whether I'll ever try Vista, I don't know. It seems to be one giant disaster.


Oh, BTW, add "The Cerobi Stoppe" to the list. It has a very fascinating sound to it, and doesn't get old easily. And I forgot before, but the battle music for The Undying, "The End of Battle."

I have no plans to try installing Vista on my current system, which is already showing its age with XP. As for whether I'll ever try Vista, I don't know. It seems to be one giant disaster.
I don't recommend it. It IS a giant disaster. I only use it cause it came with my laptop and it only gives me problems with my media players. The applications I use most, Vista always gives me a hard time with.

I also don't have my XP discs anymore and I don't feel like being a giant internet pirate by downloading it. As much as I hate Vista, I support Microsoft so I would rather buy XP so they can use the money to fix Vista.

Oh, BTW, add "The Cerobi Stoppe" to the list. It has a very fascinating sound to it, and doesn't get old easily. And I forgot before, but the battle music for The Undying, "The End of Battle."
Thanks for the recommendations. I still haven't gotten around to downloading the FFXII OST though. Sorry :laugh:

I would forget Vista all-together imo. Vista is hell, and Microsoft is the devil after all.

I would forget Vista all-together imo. Vista is hell, and Microsoft is the devil after all.

Hmmm...

There is a huge difference between supporting Microsoft itself, and preferring using their systems over all other systems like Macs and such.

Hi, does anyone has the Saiyuki journey west(game) ost?

Please don't ask unrelated questions in random threads.

Probably everybody already forgot about this, but I owe an apology to people who I insulted on the Final Fantasy X-2 matter.... It may mean nothing to anyone but a word is a word....


To all ffx-2 fans:
I apologize for insulting your private opinions. I realized later that it's not the game that's at fault. It's just me. There are the good and the bad sides of the game, just like any other.... and I guess that I simply couldn't enjoy the good ones. And there are good sides... MANY of them actually. Now that I think back, I felt something nice when I saw Shuyin's fighting style and how similar it is to that of another guy who I didn't like once... Maybe just for a a moment there I enjoyed the game.
...
I'll try to keep a memory of it in that manner. And I'll remember how eager you guys were to defend it. Once more... I apologize.

I liked Final Fantasy XII's music. But I guess it all depends on people's preferences. Well I enjoyed the soundtrack I still like Final Fantasy IV, VI, VII, and X more.

I'd rank FFXII's soundtrack below FFVI, FFVII, FFVIII, FFIX, FFX.

AKA just about every FF game in the last 15 years. That qualifies as bad music overall in my book. FFX-2's soundtrack might, perhaps beat it or tie it as well. Maybe not bad music but I would say it's about the worst in the series.

One particular thing that griped me about FFXII's soundtrack is that there seemed to be very few catchy tunes or songs with rhythm on it. It reminded me of a jumbled up orchestra going from one theme to another without any pattern or rhythm. Maybe it made leveling up in areas (and there was more than enough of that) feel a little less monotonous since you couldn't tell when that area's song began or ended... that's the only plus I can think of for it. Mostly it just made me want to fall asleep in boredom.

when i first heard ff12's soundtrack, i immediately /facepalm. I wouldn't say its bad, but I just don't like the style. It sounds like an MMORPG, archiac, medieval europe music genre to me and i absolutely hate it, especially since every track is like that. The only track that i really like is Esper Battle, but it really gets old after listening to it for a few times. I really prefer the music genre from previous final fantasy, chrono cross, star ocean, kingdom hearts etc

Pretty sure not. It really does sound a lot different than Uematsu's, but that doesn't mean it's worse. It's simply, as said, different.



Then again, FFXII's OST was the main reason I bought a PS2 in first place. I got so hooked with Revenant Wings' OST that I just felt I NEEDED to play the original game. It was pretty worth it, IMO.

I think VII had the worst and then again VII's the worst of the series.

No. I think the music was fitting for the games setting. The music had a touch of Star Wars in it, but the games story and character concept was based a lot on Star Wars. Overall, I think it was pretty good.

hell no. I think FFXII just has more of a different feel to it than all the other Final Fantasies. and I love it :) I happen to like the soundtrack

My favorite Final Fantasy soundtrack, followed by IX.

No. No it doesn't. It doesn't have any battle music, true enough.

But it is still better than X-2. Besides Sakimoto does things with midi that shouldn't be possible. Play odin sphere if you can still find it, He's in his element there.

Definitely not a fan of FFXII's music although I really enjoyed the music in Vagrant Story.

Overall, I don't like the music as much as like, 6, but I do like alot of the boss battle music like Esper battle, which is may favorite song from next to Dancing Mad and J-E-N-O-V-A.

Vagrant Story music is one of the best especially the staff roll music which is pretty impresive.

Does FF XII have the worst music of the series?


YES

I think FF X-2 and V have far worse soundtracks than FF XII.

FF XII is mainly regarded as being worse just due to the fact that Uematsu didn't take much part in it (except for the few remixes and the Kiss Me Goodbye song).

The soundtrack, while not the greatest the series offered (like VI, VIII and IX), is still richer than some (V, VII, X, X-2 XI) and fits the mood of the game's events and environments almost flawlessly.

I didn't like the music in FF12... Which I don't really get. I loved Hitoshi Sakimoto's work on Final Fantasy Tactics, but his work in FF12 just doesn't even come close. The two tracks I really like are Rabanastre's Lowtown and Eruyt Village, and even those don't compare to the music of the rest of the series, for me...

I didn't like the music in FF12... Which I don't really get. I loved Hitoshi Sakimoto's work on Final Fantasy Tactics, but his work in FF12 just doesn't even come close. The two tracks I really like are Rabanastre's Lowtown and Eruyt Village, and even those don't compare to the music of the rest of the series, for me...

Yes that's weird, because I don't really think FFT has anything that FF12 doesn't.
Out of FFT and FF12 OST, I'd easily pick FF12 as the better, but both are in the top 5 of FF OSTs.

(First post here) I wouldn't say it has the worst music, it's just not noticeable because you're busy fighting the guys. In earlier series you can listen to the music because it is a much slower game

Personally, I loved the soundtrack. It is my favorite Final Fantasy soundtrack so far. But this style of music imo wouldn't work in a more traditional final fantasy. It just depends

Personally, I loved the soundtrack. It is my favorite Final Fantasy soundtrack so far. But this style of music imo wouldn't work in a more traditional final fantasy. It just depends

Yeah, and that's the thing, FFXII is not your average FF, it has more in common with FF Tactics and Vagrant Story, so it's only very fitting that they got the composer of those two games (Hitoshi Sakimoto) to do FFXII.

As a matter of fact, very early into the development Uematsu was supposed to do the music, but the director (Yasumi Matsuno, who also directed FF Tactics and Vagrant Story) insisted that Hitoshi Sakimoto do the music, with who he worked together on FFT and VS.

And I'm very happy they did that, I can't imagine an Ivalice game without the music of Sakimoto. (so far he's done FFXII, FFT, FFTA, FFTA2, Vagrant Story)

I definitely agree with Tailgunner. FFXII IS one of the best soundtracks I've heard. Of course, whether we all love video game soundtracks or not, we still have slightly different preferences. I do love Uematsu's work, but this OST isn't capable of being compared to. By the way, a few of my favorite songs include "The Feywood", "Seeking Power", "To The Place of the Gods", "Giruvegan's Mystery", "Ashe's Theme", "Theme of the Empire", and I think its called "Battle for Freedom". I'm just putting in my two cents. ^_^

I got no problem with the music in general but
The problem with FFXII's music was the battle. In all the FF series the battles would break out with some awesome music that was suited for battles. in this one the music doesnt change from when your normally running around and when you start fighting.
where's the inspiration to fight good?

True but you battle so frequently that the music changing constantly would really annoy me. That being said the Boss Battle song is probably one of my favorite FF songs ever. I also like how they only play Victory Fanfare after a really huge battle. It keeps it special.

True but you battle so frequently that the music changing constantly would really annoy me. That being said the Boss Battle song is probably one of my favorite FF songs ever. I also like how they only play Victory Fanfare after a really huge battle. It keeps it special.

That is a really good point, Moogletim. I never thought of it that way before. ^.^

I really do like the Esper battle music in FFXII...
But I also like the battle/boss music from X-2 ^_^

I think the worst FF OST is X-2's.

I wouldn't say its the worst but the style of the music has dramatically changed from its predecessors. Thats not surprising considering its not composed by Nobuo Uematsu. Personally i don't really like the soundtrack because of its style, but i can see why others like it.

Actually I think it has fantastic music, but in a different way from other FF music. After all Sakimoto scored it. But it's far away bad, it's just not in the same style.

Fantastic soundtrack. One of the best in FF series. Though I like Noubuo's music more but like many other I think Sakimoto's music fits FFXII better.

Well the composer was no Nobuo Uematsu, however, I thought the music was creative and suited the environments to which they were put in. To each his own though.

I loved ffxii's tracks.. omg.
the old archades theme, the second level of the tower... man just a few i loved.

They should start a consert tour with his music.

I'm so fed up with this soundtrack, my brother keeps listening to it even when he's working out or studying and won't even care about using headphones. I recommend him the Crisis Core OST, which is much better but he didn't even try it a second time, it's all about FFXII.

Glitch's brother, if you're reading-- I like your taste over Glitch's.

Glitch's brother, if you're reading-- I like your taste over Glitch's.

Seconded

He doesn't even know this site exists, glad to disappoint you both.

That's okay, I'm sure he feels us in spirit. :D

Lol.

Yeah... I prefer Sakimoto's style over Uematsu's. Ogre Battle, Tactics Ogre, FFT, FFXII, Vagrant Story, Valkyria Chronicles... I love the chamber music effort he puts into each game.

Don't forget about Odin Sphere, although he didn't make the whole music.

Huh, I reactivated my account after years of non-use just to reply to this thread.

I love FFXII's soundtrack.

I really enjoy games with understated but powerful music, which is why I find XII's such a joy to listen to. I find myself humming the melodies and listening to the soundtrack on the bus quite often. It is a soundtrack that happily fades into the background, and I guess this is why it's not as memorable as tracks by Uematsu, but I also believe this to be its greatest strength. It commands attention when necessary with tracks such as "Theme of the Empire" and "Strike of a Blade" and on a more tragic note, "White Room". Most of the time, however, the music sort of drifts in the background, setting a mood or feeling but not taking over the scene. FFXII is full of this kind of subtlety, not just with the music but with the characters, too. It fits.

Not all the tracks stand out, but in the same vein none of them are annoying. This is a feat that no previous FF soundtrack has accomplished, for me. There's always some weird, hyper, synthy track that pops on out of nowhere and sends me diving for the Next button. FFXII's orchestral style is consistent, and I can understand why for some people this is a detractor. I can listen to the soundtrack in one go, and I find myself transported back to Ivalice, reimagining the story - like a daydream.

So as to refresh my feelings for previous soundtracks, just now I popped on FFX's and VII's. There are some really great tracks on both of them, but they don't seem to tie together the same way FFXII does. To me, they sound kind of gimmicky and just like "video game music" - whereas XII's music is almost branches outside that genre. It's like, the music in previous soundtracks is an entity on its own, whereas in FFXII it is seamlessly woven into the world's environment. I guess what I like about FFXII's OST is exactly what other people hate about it!

tl;dr - exactly what everyone else has said, that FFXII's music has entirely different intentions than previous FF's, and it fits its setting completely.

And unlike X's soundtrack and the song "A Dream That Will End Sometime", it does not have what sounds like someone drinking through a straw every 5 seconds.

First time ever writing here and German descent... so please don't mind the "not so good" english ;)

As a real, real, REAL soundtrack maniac, who collects game music from Commodore 64 to PlayStation 3, from Chris H�lsbeck to Jeremy Soule, from Koji Kondo to Motoi Sakuraba, I have to say that Hitoshi Sakimotos efforts for Final Fantasy 12 were/are simply stunning.

Alone the powerful main theme gets me every time, I hear it. The intro is perfect and one of the best music pieces ever composed for a computer or video game. I will never forget the theme from the Giza plains. The Phon Coat gets never old. And the Battle for Freedom is one hell of a ride while fighting the last endboss of the game.

In my opinion it is the second best soundtrack of the series, after Uematsus groundbreaking Final Fantasy 6 (in my opinion the second best OST of all time!). If you count spin-offs, it's still on place three after the first Final Fantasy Tactics. In terms of Hitoshi Sakimotos work (which is my second favorite composer after Chris "Turrican" H�lsbeck), I would rank it also on third place, after FF Tactics and Vagrant Story.

It's not that I dislike Uematsu beside FF6... the guy created some extremely memorable tunes for FF5, FF7 and FF9. But Sakimotos style is in my opinion more "one-of-a-kind"... his music "grows" from listening to listening, from layer to layer, from tune to tune. Even if Iwatas scores sound similar at first, they don't have that kind of "growing effect" for me.

Also: Sakimotos style was perfect for a game like Final Fantasy 12. I agree with some other comments, that the music wouldn't work that perfect with the other FF games. Vice versa Uematsus style wouldn't work that good with FF12.

Conclusion: I've heard the music of Final Fantasy 12 quite a lot... played three times through the games, one time alone for writing a walkthrough. I also listen to the soundtrack cd very often... even if my collection spans more than 700 original bought albums and tons of recorded mp3s straight from games. So this is not a case of "this guy doesn't know any other kind of game music" ;)

Andy

Final Fantasy XII has one of my favorite sound tracks of all time. So many great themes, I think the reason it is under appreciated is because people don't take time to analyze what they're listening to, they only listen to the music at face value.

Take one of my favorite songs, Land of Memories:
YouTube - FFXII Soundtrack: 4.06 - "A Land of Memories" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFO_do9j4Yo)

It initially starts of as this eerie piece fitting of a country that is filled with ghosts. However, as it keeps playing, it moves into this really melancholy song that hints that the former nobility that Nabradia would have in its former glory. Specifically, listen around 1:30 - 1:55 to see what I mean.

Time for the Rest:
YouTube - FFXII Soundtrack: 3.16 - "Time for a Rest" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDphAlEQP0s)

This song has a special meaning for me. Sochen Cave palace was HELL for me. I barely made it out of there alive. WHen I reached the chamber where this song starts playing, I knew I was safe.

Nalbina Fortress Town Ward:
YouTube - Final Fantasy XII OST- Nalbina Fortress Town Ward (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g_XAtbQr8I)

Another one of my favorite songs in the game. Perfectly captures the spirit of a town that had been nearly destroyed during war but was in the process of rebuilding. There is this spirt of determination that is discernible throughout the track.

Barheim Passage:
YouTube - Final Fantasy XII OST- The Barheim Passage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vKDM1sTEXc)

Just loved the atmosphere of this piece.

I listen to this soundtrack DAILY. Yes there are a few songs I don't care much for, but most of the soundtrack is golden. People just don't want to appreciate it because its "Not Nobuo". Don't get me wrong, Nobuo Uematsu is a fantastic composer and his place in established in gaming history, but he is a shallow composer for the most part, only trying to capture emotions at face value. There are plenty of composers who are more competent including Koichi Sugiyama, Hitoshi Sakimoto, Kenji Ito, Masashi Hamauzu (His work in Unlimited SaGa and SaGa Frontier is AMAZING), Shogo Sakai, Keiichi Suzuki.[COLOR="Silver"]

FFXII's OST was pretty good - not the greatest in the series in my opinion, but still very good. Unfortunately, a number of tracks just sounded like Sakimoto was trying too hard to reference his earlier FF Tactics work (most notably Giza Plains and Infiltration), but I guess that is appropriate given FFXII's connection to FFT. It still came across to me as just laziness however. His arrangement of Uematsu's Battle With Gilgamesh from FFV though was very well done, and demands the orchestral treatment.

As for Masashi Hamazu, he's little more than a hack in my opinion, as much of his music just sounds the same regardless of title - stirring military marches with little variety (compare his FFXIII work like The Warpath Home with FFX's Time of Judgement and FFVII: Dirge of Cerberus's WRO March - they're almost the same piece). Granted FFXIII did give him a chance to diversify into epic orchestral scores, but tracks like Fighting Fate just came across as loud, noisy and devoid of melody.

Also, I didn't realize just how old this thread really is. I don't like to pretend to be a moderator usually, but a rule of thumb is a thread hasn't had any new replies in over a month, don't bother posting in it and just make a new topic instead. *Casts Holy on the dead thread*

I wonder why the game didn't get an official piano collection.

11 and 13 did and 14 is planned.

They have two different styles, but to me it doesn't feel like Final Fantasy without nobou composing the music. He is one of my favorite musicians, and I was sad to see him leave after so many years behind all the great music in FF. I like XII's soundtrack, but I don't love it like I do VIII's or IX, or many of his other works

XII doesn't have a Piano Arrangements mainly because the tracks are orchestral & without "stricking melodies", every instrument is as important as the others. It's hard to come up with a good arrangements with that kind of songs.

And no XII doesn't have the worst music in the series at all... It's just different.

I'm starting to get tired to hear people bitching about this soundtrack.

i think it has a great soundtrack. it works well with the story, is intense and dynamic.

the character themes are good. and it looks like the location and cutscenes work well.

i like the game over music.

i think the worst is probably 11. in a game where the focus is hack n slash and less story orientated they should focus on the atmosphere of the locations than the music.

atmospheric music doesn't become old but bland music does. so there is a danger (unless it's uematsu composing) that people will get tired of the music after the 200th hour.

i think they should use ambient sounds in mmorpgs for levels. than segue way into a battle theme using organic sounds to match the surroundings.

so if anything ff11 is the worst. but uematsus compositions are excellent. memora de la stona is one of my favourite vgms.