Alright, buckle up. This ain’t your typical polished review—it’s raw, real, and straight from the gut. Let’s dive into Kenji Ito’s ファイナルファンタジー外伝 聖剣伝説 Original Sound Version, a wild ride through 1991 Japan that’ll slap you awake if you’re expecting boring elevator music.
First off, this soundtrack slaps. Hard. It’s got that Stage & Screen vibe with some Electronic edge, but it doesn’t try too hard to be fancy. The album’s got Nobuo Uematsu on one track (yeah, THAT Nobuo), which already tells you something: this is legit. Not everything hits perfectly—some tracks are forgettable filler—but when it works, holy crap, it WORKS.
Take “果てしなき戦場” for example. This thing punches you in the face right outta the gate. It’s like standing in the middle of a battlefield at sunrise, except instead of feeling heroic, you feel kinda small against all the chaos. The tension builds so damn well, layering synths over pounding drums until you can practically smell the blood and dirt. You don’t just hear this track; you live it. Every time I listen, I’m reminded why video game soundtracks back then were lightyears ahead of their time—they weren’t background noise; they were part of the story.
Then there’s “チョコボのテーマ”, because how could you NOT talk about Chocobo? If you’ve ever played any Final Fantasy or Mana game, you know what I mean. This version is bouncy as hell, sticking in your head like gum under a desk. But here’s the kicker—it’s not annoying. Somehow, Kenji makes it playful without being childish, catchy without being cheap. It’s the perfect breather after heavier stuff like “最後の決戦,” which honestly feels like your soul’s getting shredded by lasers while angels cry in the background.
And yeah, sure, some tracks drag. Like, do we really need three different variations of dungeon themes? C’mon, man. But even those have moments where the basslines hit just right or the melodies twist in ways that make you go, “Wait…is this still the same song?”
Here’s the kicker though—this album isn’t just nostalgia bait. Listening to it now, decades later, it still holds up. Maybe it’s the grittiness of early ‘90s synth tech, or maybe it’s just Kenji knowing exactly how to balance bombast with beauty. Either way, it’s a reminder that sometimes imperfection is what makes art stick.
Final thought? Screw perfection. This soundtrack doesn’t aim to be flawless—it aims to kick you in the feels, and it nails that every single time. Now excuse me while I blast “果てしなき戦場” again and pretend I’m leading an army into battle…or maybe just fighting my laundry pile. Same energy.
