"CRISIS CORE Theme" (Theme of CRISIS CORE, Theme of CRISIS CORE?) is name of the main theme of Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- composed by Takeharu Ishimoto. It is the game's most prominent theme, playing during significant moments, including the title screen and final battle. It has nine different versions, all having this title as a prefix. They were arranged by Ishimoto, with piano and strings arranged by Rieko Shimura.
The original theme which is titled "Theme of CRISIS CORE" was only released on the Square Enix Party 2007 Special Disc, a special disc that attendees of the 2007 Square Enix Party received.
Game appearances[]
Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII-[]
"CRISIS CORE Theme" has several arrangements, the most similar to its original version being "Under the Apple Tree".
Variations[]
- "CRISIS CORE Theme - Succession" (Theme of CRISIS CORE『継承』, Theme of CRISIS CORE "Keishō"?) plays in the title screen after the FMV finishes. It is the 2nd track of the first disc of the Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Original Soundtrack.
- "CRISIS CORE Theme - Dreams and Honor" (Theme of CRISIS CORE『夢と誇り』, Theme of CRISIS CORE "Yume to Hokori"?, lit. Theme of CRISIS CORE "Dreams and Pride) is the first arrangement of the theme heard in the game and uses piano and percussion. It is heard when Angeal Hewley tells Zack Fair about dumbapples on their journey to Fort Tamblin, and in Nibelheim, when Zack remembers Angeal after Cloud Strife tells him he hardly ever sees Zack use the Buster Sword, just as Zack told Angeal years before in Wutai. It is the 8th track of the first disc of the game's original soundtrack.
- "The Terrible Truth" (真実の重み, Shinjitsu no Omomi?, lit. Burden of Truth) is a variation of "CRISIS CORE Theme - Succession". It plays at the XMB menu before selecting Crisis Core, after entering the game into a PSP, and during the exchange between Zack and Lazard Deusericus in Gongaga. It is the 10th track on the first disc of the game's original soundtrack.
- "CRISIS CORE Theme - Under the Apple Tree" (Theme of CRISIS CORE『リンゴの木の下で』, Theme of CRISIS CORE "Ringo no Konoshita de"?) plays while Zack is standing under the tree during his mission to Banora. It also plays in the last chapter when he fulfills Genesis Rhapsodos's childhood dream underneath the same tree. This version is a cut from the theme's original release. It is the 14th track of the first disc of the game's original soundtrack.
- "Burden to Bear" (背負うもの, Seō Mono?, lit. The Burdened) is an arrangement featuring violin and piano. It plays after the mission in Banora and while inside Aerith's Church. It is the 16th track of the first disc of the game's original soundtrack.
- "CRISIS CORE Theme - The Scars That Remain'" (Theme of CRISIS CORE『友情の傷痕』, Theme of CRISIS CORE "Yūjō no Kizuato"?, lit. Theme of CRISIS CORE "Scars of Friendship") plays when Sephiroth explains to Zack the history of Project G, which he believes to be Project Genesis. It is a slow and melancholy string arrangement. It is the 21st track of the first disc of the game's original soundtrack.
- "CRISIS CORE Theme - Protect Your Honor" (Theme of CRISIS CORE『誇りと共に』, Theme of CRISIS CORE "Hokori to Tomoni"?, lit. Theme of CRISIS CORE "With Pride") is another piano arrangement of the theme. It plays when Genesis reveals his black wing in Banora, and when Zack talks with Angeal on the Sector 0 Highway in Midgar. It is the 24th track of the first disc of the game's original soundtrack.
- "CRISIS CORE Theme - True Motives" (Theme of CRISIS CORE『計画の真実』, Theme of CRISIS CORE "Keikaku no Shinjitsu"?, lit. Theme of CRISIS CORE "Truth of the Project") is a fast-paced version performed by a quartet featuring violin, viola, cello, and piano. It plays during Sephiroth's flashback of the training sequence, starting when he draws his sword, and when Angeal prepares to face Zack in Modeoheim after he deals with Genesis. It is the 29th track of the first disc of the game's original soundtrack.
- "CRISIS CORE Theme - New Assignment" (Theme of CRISIS CORE『新たな任地へ』, Theme of CRISIS CORE "Aratana Ninchi e"?, lit. Theme of CRISIS CORE "To a New Post") is another string arrangement of the theme. It plays on the SOLDIER Floor before Zack's fateful mission to Nibelheim. It is the 4th track of the second disc of the game's original soundtrack.
- "A Brief Rest" (しばしの休息, Shibashi no Kyūsoku?) is a music box-like variation of the "CRISIS CORE Theme". It plays after Zack decides to "crash for the night" in the Nibelheim Inn. It is the 8th track on the soundtrack's second disc.
- "CRISIS CORE Theme - Blazing Through the Battlefield" (Theme of CRISIS CORE『疾走の戦域』, Theme of CRISIS CORE "Shissō no Sen'iki"?) is a hard-rock arrangement featuring electric guitar and drums. It plays during Zack's battle with G Eraser at the LOVELESS Avenue, and during the Virtual Training Room flashback, when Genesis decides to fight Sephiroth alone. It is the 13th track of the first disc of the game's original soundtrack.
- "The SOLDIER Way" (ソルジャーの闘い, Sorujā no Tatakai?, lit. SOLDIER Battle) is a variation of the "CRISIS CORE Theme", featuring its central motif. It is the final boss theme, playing against Genesis. It is the 21st track of the second disc of the game's original soundtrack.
Game-exclusive[]
Aside from the original "CRISIS CORE Theme", there are two nameless versions that are only in the game and not on the soundtrack. The first one plays when Zack desires Angeal's wings after seeing him in Shinra Manor. The second one plays after the last fight against Genesis as he approaches Minerva and she prevents him from returning to the Planet.
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call[]
"Succession", otherwise known as "CRISIS CORE Theme - Dreams and Honor", is played as an Event Music Sequence and "The SOLDIER Way" is played as a Battle Music Sequence.
Arrangement album appearances[]
SQ Chips 2 TOWER RECORDS Customer Bonus[]
"Burden to Bear ~ The Price of Freedom" is an arrangement included on the bonus CD, arranged by 音更. It is track 4 on the CD.
Compilation album appearances[]
Compilation of Final Fantasy VII: Best Selection[]
Four of the variations of "CRISIS CORE Theme" appear on the album.
- "CRISIS CORE Theme - Succession"
- "CRISIS CORE Theme - Under the Apple Tree"
- "CRISIS CORE Theme - Protect Your Honor"
- "CRISIS CORE Theme - Blazing Through the Battlefield"
Appearances outside Final Fantasy media[]
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep[]
An energetic, high-tempo, brass-heavy arrangement of the "CRISIS CORE Theme" by Tsuyoshi Sekito, titled "A Date with Fate", plays when Zack removes his helmet and introduces himself, and when he asks Aqua out on a date. It was released on the Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep & 358/2 Days Original Soundtrack album.
It is the second piece of Final Fantasy music to appear in Kingdom Hearts, after "One-Winged Angel" in the US, PAL, and Final Mix versions of the first Kingdom Hearts and in Kingdom Hearts II.