06.19.05 - 8:22 PM
In our last update, which was the entirely-too-delayed "MMORPG Soundtracks" update, contributing editor Mike Wilson was somehow left out of the loop. This must have upset the poor guy, because now, only five days after that major update, Mike has given us a pile of soundtrack reviews from Nippon Ichi titles. Seriously, the guy did seven soundtrack reviews. Bow down in shame for not loving VGM as much as this man.
Clearly, Mike knows a lot and has a lot of strong feelings about NIS. Otherwise he wouldn't have brought us reviews of the arranged soundtracks and OSTs for La Pucelle, Makai Senki Disgaea, and Phantom Brave. These three strategy RPGs have become strong niche titles, ones that we at RPGFan have come to know and love (well, maybe not love) over the last few years. Every one of these soundtracks is entirely composed and arranged by VGM veteran Tenpei Sato. According to Mr. Wilson (it's a term of endearment I've given him), Sato takes shortcuts in composition and arrangements on some games, but really makes significant strides of improvement on others. Which are good, and which are bad? Read to find out!
Now, that's a total of six reviews...what is number seven?
With the release of NIS America's Makai Kingdom only a month away, we also have a review of the Phantom Kingdom (its original Japanese title) OST. This new title in the NIS universe actually has seven freelance composers (many from SuperSweep) take the place of Sato, creating a very unique soundtrack.
Note that all of the original soundtracks came as limited editions with the Japanese games, and are not available for separate purchase (unlike the arranged CDs, which are readily available at a number of online stores). Getting ahold of these soundtracks is a sign of the love and fascination Mike has with NIS.
Be sure to read these reviews: if not entertaining, it will at least be very educational.
Somehow, we have received a stockpile of soundtrack reviews, so expect larger and more frequent updates for the 'Fan's Soundtracks Section, including more Falcom, more Atelier, more Lunar, and more Square-Enix. And, as always, feel free to submit a soundtrack review by following the guidelines presented in our section's submissions page.
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| Patrick Gann |