Soundtrack Name: Final Fantasy IV Original Sound Version
U.S. Game Name: Final Fantasy 2
Musical Genre: Classical
Original Game System: SNES
Publisher: NTT Publishing Co., Ltd.
Copyright Holder: Squaresoft
Number of CD's: 1
Number of Tracks: 44
CD Length: 58 min 21 sec
Composers and Performers:
Nobuo Uematsu (Comp.)
Review:
Packaging: Not much to say about the packaging really. There isn't a track
list on the back of the CD, you have to get the booklet out to see what you're
listening to. On the plus side, the track list is in English, which is nice. If
you can read Japanese, there are liner notes, but I have no idea what they say.
In terms of artwork, the booklet contains 3 conceptual art drawings from the game,
but nothing really exciting. There's also a significant amount of white space. It's
not a bad design, just not very exciting.
Packaging Rating: C
Music: First, let me make it clear that this is a Super Nintendo soundtrack,
so it is all synth. If you don't like synth, go for a different soundtrack (possibly
the arranged CD of this music, Celtic Moon). That aside, I think this is
Uematsu's best work to date. It is also the last Final Fantasy that had the track
Prologue... somewhere other than as part of the ending theme (although it
is also in the ending theme). All the fight themes on this CD are excellent, making
extensive use of strings, brass, and base guitar. Golbez Clad in Dark is possibly
the best villain music ever, and Dancing Calcobrena will remind all of us
just how creepy the Japanese can make dolls seem. Just looking at the soundtrack
musically, you'll be hard pressed to find anything better, but the synth instruments
used may turn some people off.
Music Rating: B+
CD/Track Length: Comparing the CD length and the number of tracks can be
misleading, mainly because the last track, Epilogue, is 11 minutes and
37 seconds long. We really have a 47 minute CD with 43 tracks. The music is all
very memorable, but it cannot compensate for the ridiculously short tracks, half
of which are a minute twenty long, and the rest running about 40 seconds.
Length Rating: F
Other Misc: The music is great, but if you aren't a huge fan of the music
from playing the game, I've advise going elsewhere. On a related note, the arranged
CD of this music Celtic Moon is arguably the best arranged CD out
there, so if you like this music, but are wary of the faults of the CD, check it
out.
Final Rating (not an average): C+
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