RPGamers Network > Reviews > Game Music Reviews > Final Fantasy X OST

Album Information Reviewer Rank
Final Fantasy X OST
Published by: DigiCube
Release Date: August 01st 2001

Composed by: Junya Nakano, Masashi Hamauzu, Nobuo Uematsu
Arranged by: Junya Nakano, Masashi Hamauzu, Nobuo Uematsu, Shiro Hamaguchi, Hirosato Noda

4 Discs, 91 Tracks
Catalog: SSCX-10054~7
79

Reviewed by: Mithrandir

"Nobuo Uematsu did a good job...Not really...."

Haven't played the game yet, I decided to experience what is the feeling of hearing the soundtrack before playing the game. So this review was written BEFORE I played the game (But since I don't have a PS2, I may not be able to play FFX). The soundtrack was rather deceiving. Nobuo's creativity seemed to reach its top in FF VI. FFVII and VIII music was good enough to pass the test but was not really the best. FF IX was rather deceiving too. He seemed to have a lot of work on his shoulders. Square proposed the solution of him working with two other compositors: Masashi Hamauzu (Which is known for rescuing the SaGa series music from the rather horrible Kenji Ito music) and Junya Nakano. Nobuo can really count himself lucky to have these two.

THE GOOD
There are some notable songs in this OST. To Zanarkand is one of the most beautiful piano tracks I've had the chance to listen to. Normal Battle and Enemy Attack remain very good battle (and boss) themes staying in the spirit of the series. I really like these two. Song of Prayer is one of the most present tracks on the OST. Each time a new summon appears, there is a "Song of Prayer". Every time there is a new summon, the song changes a little bit, so it never is the same track. Brass de Chocobo remained sufficiently good in this OST. The style is more like Big Band. Suteki Da Ne? What to say about this? Let's say it's way better than Eyes on Me but less than Melodies of Life. Nobuo did a great job on this one and it's something not to miss. Finally, the 6 last tracks of the CD 4 are just the best tracks of boss themes and ending themes I've heard. Really. Seymour's Battle is just so cool. You might dance on this one...really, it has this "disco" beat! Oh my god, I'm listening to it while I'm writing this and....there are no words. Reminds me of Dancing Mad in FF VI. Decisive Battle is just so good with its piano motive.
Anyway, here is the list of the best tracks on the OST:
DISC 1: Tracks: 1-9-10-16-17-20
DISC 2: Tracks: 6-11-12-14
DISC 3: Tracks: 3-12-14-17-19-21
Disc 4: Tracks: 15-17-18-19-20

THE BAD
There are so many things that are bad in this OST that, I if I’d write about all of them, you wouldn't finish reading this until tomorrow....no, but seriously, there are too much bad tracks.
Tidus Theme. I seriously think this track was written quickly. I mean, it is boring. Too boring for the main character theme... Other World is a track some might enjoy. I put it in "the Bad" because people who I talked to, don't think this should be in a FF. It has a heavy metal-hard rock-punk-thing-style. I listen to it sometimes because it can be good if you are in the mood. And the orchestral version (not instrumental, but with an orchestra) of Suteki Da Ne, doesn't really surprise. The track consists of chords played by the orchestra while Rikki sings....

THE THEMES
The main themes are the following ones: "Suteki Da Ne", "To Zanarkand", "Seymour Theme", "Song of Prayer", and the others FF themes and the characters themes. The Prelude....I am so mad they changed it into a techno beat. The beautiful flute isn't there anymore....sniff. The Chocobo theme was good though, the big band style really fits with the melody. The "Fanfare" remained good also. Nothing to complain about here. The Song of Prayer becomes too repetitive since it appears each time a new summon (oh, I'm sorry, they are called Aeons now (in a sarcastic tone)) is introduced. "To Zanarkand" is the only good creation Nobuo did on this OST and he decided to exploit the melody and change the style. (As he did in FF IX with Melodies of Life) He is lucky the others two compositors came to put some change in the tracks style. The "Suteki Da Ne" theme is not too present in the OST and that is a good thing. These are the main themes of the OST, I thought you might want to hear theme before buying the OST or playing the game.

Oh, I almost forgot, the OST might reveal you a punch line of the story. Yeah, I did discover something just by looking at the track names. Read this backwards if you want to know what it is:
reredrum s'rehtaf yM" and "emeht s'roumyeS" ot netsil tsuJ.sessob tsal eht fo eno osla si dna sretcarahc niam ruoy ni enoemos fo rehtaf eht dellik ehs , rotiart a si roumyeS.

Anyway, it remains a good OST with the help of the two compositors. Nobuo did not a great job on this one. The bosses themes at the end, were the best I've ever heard. It deserves a 79%. Let's hope the next FF will have better music than this one....

This review has been read 3382 times
Send feedback to author