Japanese RPGs host some of the greatest soundtracks in gaming history. Nobuo Uematsu’s familiar scores in Final Fantasy set the highest standard possible for video game music. However, he is one of many names that has contributed to a legacy of quality music in gaming.
To include Japanese RPGs, as well as titles heavily inspired by them, these games hold some of the best music in gaming history. Some of their legacies have been preserved through remixes in other games. Others became immortalized in Nintendo’s Smash Bros. series.
10 Chrono Trigger
Square-Enix’s popular title, Chrono Trigger, came out for the SNES in 1995. Developed by Square-Enix, it took the development team of the heads of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest to come up with this title. Chrono Trigger boasts half a dozen eras across time with a soundtrack to fit them all.
The synthesized piano pieces fit wonderful throughout the middle ages. The overworld theme was among my favorites in the game. “Silent Light” might be the best piece of music in the game and fits wonderfully with the haunting atmosphere of the cathedral.
9 Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
Falcom’s legacy of incredible music began 30 years ago with the release of the Ys series. In that timeframe, they’ve scored over eight games as well as the prequel title, Ys Origin. Falcom made a name for themselves with the Ys and Trails series.
Ys VIII continues the tradition of hard rock, smooth jazz, and beautiful beach area music. The dim caverns emit the ominous feel of stronger enemies attacking while the mountain area’s “Overcome the Rocky Path” puts the player back in the energetic mood. Ys‘s mysterious haunting and calming soundtrack will remain a highlight among games.
8 Kingdom Hearts
According to Kingdom Hearts series composer, Yoko Shimomura, Super Mario RPG was her turning point as a composer. Originally composing Street Fighter II, Super Mario RPG was one of her first RPG compositions. Afterward, she would compose Legend of Mana before her work in Kingdom Hearts made her a famous name.
The beautiful piano compositions and emotional pieces bring forth all sorts of feelings from its players. These include both the wonderful Disney remixes, like “Under the Sea” and the haunting Hollow Bastion. Across all 18 years of the series, Kingdom Hearts has brought forth some of the most magical soundtracks in gaming history.
7 Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Each Fire Emblem game brings forth energetic battle themes and memorable map music. Path of Radiance might have been the apex of the soundtracks. Along with Radiant Dawn, the Tellius Saga offered some of the most beautiful compositions.
“With Us,” renamed “Stalwarts Unite”remixed the tune with more impact. The marching beat of “A Battle and a Beginning” and “Crimean Army Sortie” motivated the player to move their army and take back Crimea. Plus nothing works the strings quite as well as Elincia’s Theme.
6 Valkyrie Profile
Inspired by Norse Mythology, Valkyrie Profile stars the Valkyrie maiden, Lenneth, on her quest to recruit souls to Valhalla to fight in the final battle of the world, Ragnarok. Throughout the game, however, she uncovers conspiracies from darker forces at work. Valkyrie Profile‘s fast-paced action and gloomy atmosphere go perfectly with its wonderful soundtrack.
Motoi Sakuraba’s work comes heavily from his compositions in the Tales and Star Ocean franchise before this title. While his hard rock work extended into Golden Sun and Baten Kaitos, Valkyrie Profile might have been his best work yet. The gloomy theme when recruiting an Einherjar, the Forest of Woe’s haunting yet fast-paced melody,
5 Final Fantasy VI
To list one Final Fantasy game would mean to list all of them. Nobuo Uematsu’s first ten titles, prior to leaving Square-Enix, rank exceptionally high among gaming soundtracks. Each one offers something different and all boast their memorable themes.
Final Fantasy VI was perhaps an exception in some ways. Pushing the SNES’ 16-bit cartridge audio chip to its limit, Final Fantasy VI animated an opera and even utilized a synthesized chorus for its routine. “Aria de Mezzo Caratterre” and “Dancing Mad” number among the many prominent tracks. “The Mystic Forest,” “Narshe,” and “Figaro Castle,” number among the best of the map themes as well. “The Decisive Battle” will forever be one of the best boss themes in history.
4 Bravely Default
Spun-off from Square-Enix’s Final Fantasy series, Bravely Default takes cues from older titles in the former series. The influence of the Crystals, the four warriors of light, and the Job system, popularized in Final Fantasy V, make a major impact in Bravely Default‘s story. However, it defies all expectations of a handheld JRPG with its brilliant soundtrack.
Known for his opening themes for the anime series, such as Attack on Titan and Sailor Moon Crystal, Linked Horizon’s lead composer, REVO, composed a grand soundtrack for Bravely Default. This beautiful, brilliant masterpiece tends to the mood perfectly with every hard rock battle theme, every haunting area track, and everything in between. To sweeten the deal, the special attack and Asterisk battle themes also featured vocal versions in the official soundtrack. REVO will return for the upcoming Bravely Default II for Nintendo Switch as well.
3 Eternal Sonata
If Valkyrie Profile was a shining example of Motoi Sakuraba’s rock work, Eternal Sonata is where he excels in the orchestra. Eternal Sonata features 19th-century composer, Frederic Chopin, as a prominent character. As such, Eternal Sonata’s entire thematic is built around music.
Sakuraba’s orchestral work utilizes strings, drums, violins, piano, and all kinds of instruments. There’s no limit to the variety used in Eternal Sonata. While this set the groundwork for more of Sakuraba’s orchestral compositions, such as in Dark Souls, Eternal Sonata‘s melodies stuck with the player from start to finish and beyond.
2 Octopath Traveler
Following the success of the Bravely Default series, series designer Tomoya Asano decided to create an original IP. Serving as a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy VI, this title utilized 2D pixel sprites with gorgeous HD overlay. Composed by Yasunori Nishiki, this title came with one of the most beautiful soundtracks in gaming history.
Octopath Traveler gets the blood pumping in its epic battle tracks. Likewise, it sets the tone for beautiful, soothing melodies throughout its peaceful town themes and haunting dungeon melodies alike. Notably, this title also received a remixed soundtrack release called Octopath Traveler Arrangements – Break & Boost.
1 Persona 5 Royal
Persona 3, 4, and 5 were all composed by Shoji Meguro. Featuring vocals from various artists and, in P3‘s case, rapping from Lotus Juice, all featured prominent soundtracks. Persona 5 best represents the series’ peak largely thanks to the added tracks featured in the Royal release.
Persona 5 Royal features a largely smooth jazz soundtrack with some incredibly energetic vocal tracks. These tunes mesh wonderfully with the bass and electric guitar used in the tracks throughout. Of the new tracks, “Gentle Madman” makes for a fresh take on a dungeon theme while “I Believe” energizes the player approaching the final battle. “Throw Your Mask Away” marks the cherry on top of one of the single greatest soundtracks in gaming history.
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