Music of Final Fantasy

The Music of Final Fantasy has been, since the release of the initial game in the series, an integral part of the experience. Most of the games' original soundtracks have garnered critical praise ranging from video game magazines to professional music reviewers. Alongside the original soundtracks, many compilations and arranged albums have been produced over the years, to similar acclaim.

Until the release of Final Fantasy XII, the chief music composer of the main series was Nobuo Uematsu, who was the sole creative force from the original Final Fantasy up to Final Fantasy IX. Uematsu worked with Masashi Hamauzu and Junya Nakano in Final Fantasy X and with Naoshi Mizuta and Kumi Tanioka in Final Fantasy XI. His collaborations in Final Fantasy XII were limited to the game's theme song, "Kiss Me Good-Bye". Nobuo Uematsu returned to create the soundtrack for Final Fantasy XIV.

The music of the entries of the Ivalice Alliance, as well as the music of Vagrant Story, was handled mostly by Hitoshi Sakimoto. The music of the Crystal Chronicles series was composed by Kumi Tanioka.

Recurring themes Edit

Within the body of musical works, there are certain themes that have made an appearance more than once associated with a character or a situation.

These themes have appeared in most of the original soundtracks of the main series under different lengths, arrangements and even variations.

The Prelude Edit

The "Prelude" is the opening theme of the original Final Fantasy. Since then, it has become one of the most prominent musical pieces in the series, playing at many different stages throughout the games.

The main theme Edit

The "Main Theme of Final Fantasy" (originally titled "Opening Theme" in Final Fantasy) has appeared in most of the main series, usually played during the opening sequence or during the ending. Not to be confused with the "Prelude," since, despite its title, the "Opening Theme" was in reality not the opening track of the game.

The victory fanfare Edit

The "Victory Fanfare" plays in every instance of the main series when a battle encounter ends with victory. Although variations of the Fanfare have been used in some of games, the opening bars have remained unchanged since the original Final Fantasy until Final Fantasy XIII.

The chocobo theme Edit

The "Chocobo Theme" plays when the party travels across the land by means of riding a chocobo, or when they enter a Chocobo forest or any place related to them. Since each entry of the main series includes at least one particular version of the "Chocobo Theme," numerous arrangements of this track exist.

Final Fantasy & Final Fantasy II Edit

The original soundtrack of Final Fantasy introduced three of the musical themes that became a staple of the series, as well as some lasting fan favorites, such as "Matoya's Cave".

The music of the original Final Fantasy and that of Final Fantasy II was first released as a single compilation album, All Sounds of Final Fantasy I & II in 1989, to moderate critical acclaim. Following this release, the arranged album Symphonic Suite Final Fantasy. In 2002, for the release of Final Fantasy Origins, the soundtrack was rearranged by Uematsu and Tsuyoshi Sekito.

• All Sounds of Final Fantasy I & II - NES version; 1989, 1994 (reprint)
• Final Fantasy I & II Original Soundtrack - Remake version; 2002, 2004 (reprint)

Final Fantasy III Edit

The complete soundtrack of the original NES version was actually not the first compilation album of the game, having arrived to the music stores a year after the arranged album Final Fantasy III: Eternal Legend of the Wind was released.

The NES version of Final Fantasy III never made it to western shores, and therefore it was not until the DS version that the soundtrack was widely distributed in America and the rest of the world.

• Final Fantasy III: Eternal Legend of the Wind - Arranged Vocals; 1990, 1994 (re-release)
• Final Fantasy III: Original Sound Version - NES version; 1991, 1994 (first re-release), 2004 (second re-release)
• Final Fantasy III: Original Soundtrack - DS version; 2006

Final Fantasy IV Edit

Final Fantasy IV was the first Final Fantasy to have a Piano Collections album, a practice that continued in the series afterwards. Another arranged album, Final Fantasy IV: Celtic Moon, was released as well, performed by Máire Breatnach in the style of Celtic music.

Uematsu noted that the production of the soundtrack was an arduous task, involving much trial and error. The reason stemmed from the then-recent transition phase between the Famicom and the Super Famicom hardwares.

• Final Fantasy IV: Original Sound Version - SNES version; 1991, 1994 (first re-release), 2004 (second re-release)
• Final Fantasy IV: Celtic Moon - Arrangements; 1991, 1994 (first re-release), 2004 (second re-release)
• Piano Collections: Final Fantasy IV - Piano Arrangements; 1992, 1994 (first re-release), 2001 (second re-release)
• Final Fantasy IV Official Soundtrack: Music from Final Fantasy Chronicles - SNES version; 2001
• Tsukino Akari -Final Fantasy IV Ai no Theme- - Single; 2007
• Final Fantasy IV: Original Soundtrack - DS version; 2008

Final Fantasy V Edit

Final Fantasy V was originally designed to include more than a hundred themes. Nobuo Uematsu felt the number would make the album unpurchasable for the children in the audience, as it would require a two-disc release, and cut down the track list to 50 tunes. The soundtrack was nevertheless released as a two-disc set.

Reception for the soundtrack was lukewarm, with some critics stating the album did not live up to the Original soundtracks of Final Fantasy IV. However, some of its themes became popular among the Final Fantasy community, such as "Clash on the Big Bridge" and "Dear Friends".

• Final Fantasy V: Original Sound Version - 1992, 1994 (first re-release), 2004 (second re-release)
• Final Fantasy V: Dear Friends - Arrangements; 1993, 1994 (first re-release), 2004 (second re-release)
• Piano Collections: Final Fantasy V - Piano Arrangements; 1993, 1994 (first re-release), 2001 (second re-release)

Final Fantasy VI Edit

The last of the soundtracks to be issued for the 16-bit generation of consoles, the soundtrack was the longest recorded for said generation of games. For Uematsu, the music marked the end of a stage in his career, which was well-grounded by then in the video game music industry.

Uematsu stated that this particular soundtrack was the most challenging Final Fantasy soundtrack he had worked on. Final Fantasy VI: Original Sound Version received raving reviews, some hailing it as one of the best soundtracks composed for a video game. The game was the first in the series to feature a leitmotif for every one of its main playable characters.

Preeminent among these are "Terra's Theme" and the Aria di Mezzo Carattere, which featured a synthesized voice in the original game, but was rerecorded with a full orchestra and singer. Another famous piece from this soundtrack is "Dancing Mad", a complex 14 minute piece which accompanies the final boss.

• Final Fantasy VI: Original Sound Version - 1994, 2004 (re-release)
• Final Fantasy VI: Grand Finale - Arrangements; 1994, 2004 (re-release)
• Piano Collections: Final Fantasy VI - Piano Arrangements; 1994, 2001 (re-release)
• Kefka's Domain - 1994

Final Fantasy VII Edit

Called by Uematsu his "greatest harvest" in terms of creativity, the soundtrack, despite its length, was composed in a period of less than a year, as opposed to the bi-annual period of producing that had become the standard regarding the previous original soundtracks.

The soundtrack was the first in the series to include a track with digitized vocals, "One-Winged Angel", which has been described as Uematsu's "most recognizable contribution" to the music of the Final Fantasy series. Another one of Uematsu's best known compositions is "Aerith's Theme".

• Final Fantasy VII: Original Soundtrack - 1997, 2004 (re-release)
• Final Fantasy VII: Reunion Tracks - "Best of" and orchestrated; 1997, 2005 (re-release)
• Piano Collections: Final Fantasy VII - Piano Arrangements; 2003, 2004 (re-release)

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Edit

• Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children OST - 2005
• Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete Reunion Tracks - 2009

Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII- & Last Order -Final Fantasy VII- Edit

• Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII- & Last Order -Final Fantasy VII- OST - 2007

Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Edit

The game's music is a mix of the rock and orchestral genres. It is one of Takeharu Ishimoto's notable works and includes various versions of famous Final Fantasy VII songs composed by Nobuo Uematsu. It also includes a few tracks provided by Kazuhiko Toyama.

One of the notable themes is "The Price of Freedom", which plays when Sephiroth reminisces his days with Angeal and Genesis, as well as during Zack's final stand against the Shinra Army.

• Crisis Core -Final Fantasy VII- Original Soundtrack - 2007

Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII- Edit

• Redemption - Single; 2006
• Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII- Original Soundtrack - 2006
• Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII Multiplayer Mode Original Sound Collections - 2006

Final Fantasy VIII Edit

• Final Fantasy VIII: Original Soundtrack - 1999, 2004 (re-release)
• FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC: Final Fantasy VIII - Orchestral Arrangements; 1999, 2004 (re-release)
• Piano Collections: Final Fantasy VIII - Piano Arrangements; 2000, 2004 (re-release)

Related singles Edit

• Eyes on Me - 1999
• Kokoro no Senshi - 2006

Final Fantasy IX Edit

• Melodies of Life -Final Fantasy IX- - Single; 2000
• Final Fantasy IX: Uematsu's Best Selection - "Best of": 2000
• Final Fantasy IX: Original Soundtrack - 2000, 2004 (re-release)
• Final Fantasy IX Original Soundtrack PLUS - Companion Soundtrack; 2000, 2004 (re-release)
• Piano Collections: Final Fantasy IX - Piano Arrangements; 2001, 2004 (re-release)

Final Fantasy X Edit

• Suteki da ne - Single; 2001, 2004 (re-release)
• Music from Final Fantasy X Promo CD - 2001
• Final Fantasy X: Original Soundtrack - 2001, 2004 (re-release)
• Feel/Go Dream: Yuna & Tidus - Image Songs Single; 2001
• Final Fantasy X: Official Soundtrack - "Best of"; 2001
• Piano Collections: Final Fantasy X - Piano Arrangements; 2002, 2004 (re-release)
• Final Fantasy X Vocal Collection - 2002

Final Fantasy X-2 Edit

• real Emotion/1000 Words - Single; 2003
• Eternity ~Memory of Lightwaves~ Music From Final Fantasy X-2 - Promo single; 2003
• Final Fantasy X-2 Original Soundtrack - 2003
• Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission Original Soundtrack - Companion Soundtrack; 2003
• Final Fantasy X-2: Vocal Collection - Yuna - "Character" Single; 2003
• Final Fantasy X-2: Vocal Collection - Rikku - "Character" Single; 2003
• Final Fantasy X-2: Vocal Collection - Paine - "Character" Single; 2003
• Final Fantasy X-2 Piano Collection - Piano Arrangements; 2004

Related singles Edit

• Come With Me - 2003

Final Fantasy XI Edit

• Final Fantasy XI: Original Soundtrack - 2002, 2004 (re-release)
• Final Fantasy XI: Rise of the Zilart Original Soundtrack - Expansion soundtrack; 2003, 2004 (re-release)
• Final Fantasy XI: Chains of Promathia Original Soundtrack - Expansion soundtrack; 2004
• The Star Onions ~ Final Fantasy XI - Music from the Other Side of Vana'diel - Arrangements; 2005
• Final Fantasy XI: Treasures of Aht Urhgan Original Soundtrack - Expansion soundtrack; 2006
• Final Fantasy XI Original Soundtrack Premium Box - Box Collection; 2007
• Final Fantasy XI Wings of the Goddess Original Soundtrack - Expansion soundtrack; 2008
• Piano Collections Final Fantasy XI - Piano Arrangements; 2008

Final Fantasy XII Edit

• Kiss Me Good-Bye - 2006
• Final Fantasy XII: Original Soundtrack - 2006
• Symphonic Poem "Hope" - 2006
• Piano Collections: Final Fantasy XII - 2012

Final Fantasy XIII Edit

• Final Fantasy XIII: Original Soundtrack - 2009
• Final Fantasy XIII: Original Soundtrack PLUS - 2010
• Piano Collections: Final Fantasy XIII - 2010

Related singles Edit

• Kimi ga Iru Kara - 2009
• My Hands - 2009
• Eternal Love - 2009

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Edit

• Final Fantasy XIII-2: Original Soundtrack - 2011
• Final Fantasy XIII-2: Original Soundtrack PLUS - 2012

Related singles Edit

• New World - 2011
• Yakusoku no Basho / Tatta Hitori no Mikata - 2011

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Edit

• Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII: Original Soundtrack - 2013
• Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Pre Soundtrack - 2013
• Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII: Original Soundtrack PLUS - 2014

Final Fantasy Type-0 Edit

The limited edition includes a DVD featuring a teaser movie, the game's trailers, two cinematics from the game, and a booklet.

Final Fantasy Type-0 Music Collection - First Campaign was released before the game and the soundtrack, as a preview. It contains five tracks.

• Zero: BUMP OF CHICKEN - Single; 2011
• Final Fantasy Type-0: Original Soundtrack - 2011
• Final Fantasy Type-0: Limited Edition Soundtrack - 2011
• Final Fantasy Type-0 Music Collection -First Campaign- - 2011

Final Fantasy XIV Edit

Final Fantasy XIV/Legacy Edit

• Final Fantasy XIV : Field Tracks CD
• Final Fantasy XIV : Battle Tracks CD
• Before Meteor: Final Fantasy XIV Original Soundtrack

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Edit

• Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Original Soundtrack

Final Fantasy XV Edit

Final Fantasy Tactics Edit

• Final Fantasy Tactics: Original Soundtrack; 1997

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance Edit

• Final Fantasy Tactics Advance: Original Soundtrack - 2003
• White: Melodies of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance - Arrangement; 2003
• Shiroi Hana (single) - Single album for the advertisement song Shiroi Hana; 2002

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift Edit

• Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Original Soundtrack - 2007

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Edit

• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Opening Theme - Sound of the Wind - Single; 2003
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Original Soundtrack - 2003

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates Edit

• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates Original Soundtrack - 2007

Final Fantasy: Unlimited Edit

• Final Fantasy: Unlimited - Music Adventure Verse 1 - 2001
• Final Fantasy: Unlimited - Music Adventure Verse 2 - 2002

Other Edit

• All Sounds of SaGa - Final Fantasy Legend The Final Fantasy Legend, Final Fantasy Legend II, and III; 1991, 2004 (reprint)
• Final Fantasy USA - Mystic Quest Sound Collections - Final Fantasy Mystic Quest; 1993
• Seiken Densetsu: Sound Collections - Final Fantasy Adventure; 1995, 2004 (reprint)

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within Edit

• Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - 2001

Chocobo Albums Edit

• Chocobo Racing Original Soundtrack - Chocobo Racing; 1999
• Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon ~Labyrinth of Forgotten Time~ Original Soundtrack - Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon; 2008

Dissidia Final Fantasy Edit

The soundtrack was composed by Takeharu Ishimoto, who also composed the soundtrack of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. It features remixes of different famous themes of the series, some original tracks composed by Ishimoto himself, some tracks sung by Your Favorite Enemies, and a bonus track—"The Messenger" by Your Favorite Enemies.

Some tracks that featured in the game weren't featured in the soundtrack, which were the original versions of some famous songs like the "Dancing Mad", and the "Mambo de Chocobo" and Final Fantasy V Victory Fanfare which was featured in the Data install feature.

• Dissidia Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack- December 24, 2008

Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy Edit

The soundtrack was composed/arranged by Takeharu Ishimoto, responsible for the music from the first Dissidia. Like the first Dissidia, it features arrangements of the music from the series as well as some original versions.

The soundtrack's regular edition sports a white cover on the front with the Warriors of Cosmos, and a black cover on the back with the Warriors of Chaos.

The limited first run edition featured an album jacket box with the Cosmos side artwork on the front and Chaos side at the back. It also included a DVD featuring the game's trailers and promotional videos.

• Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack - March 2, 2011

Arrangements & compilations Edit

• Symphonic Suite Final Fantasy - 1989, 1994 (re-release)
• Final Fantasy 1987-1994 - 1994, 2004 (reprint)
• Final Fantasy Mix - 1994, 2004 (reprint)
• Final Fantasy: Pray - 1994, 2004 (reprint)
• Final Fantasy: Love Will Grow - 1995, 2004 (reprint)
• Music from FFV and FFVI Video Games - bonus CD; 1999
• The Best of Final Fantasy 1994 - 1999: A Musical Tribute - 2000, 2001 (re-release)
• Final Fantasy N Generation: Official Best Collection - 2001
• Final Fantasy S Generation: Official Best Collection - 2001
• Potion: Relaxin' with Final Fantasy - 2001, 2006 (re-release)
• Potion 2: Relaxin' with Final Fantasy - 2001
• Final Fantasy Song Book "Mahoroba" - 2004
• Final Fantasy Finest Box - 2007
• Square Enix Battle Tracks V.1 - 2007
• Final Fantasy Remix - 2008
• Guitar Solo Final Fantasy Official Best Collection - 2008

Concert recordings Edit

• 20020220 music from Final Fantasy - 2002, 2004 (re-release)
• More Friends - Music from Final Fantasy - 2005
• Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy - 2007
• Distant Worlds II: More Music from Final Fantasy - 2010
• Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy Returning Home - 2011
• Distant Worlds III: more music from Final Fantasy - 2015

Outside groups Edit

The Black Mages Edit

• The Black Mages - 2003, 2004 (re-release)
• The Black Mages II: The Skies Above - 2004
• The Black Mages III: Darkness and Starlight - 2008

Project Majestic Mix Edit

• Project Majestic Mix: A Tribute to Nobuo Uematsu - 2002
• Project Majestic Mix: Squaredance - 2002, 2007 (re-release)
• Project Majestic Mix: The Trance Album - 2004

Alabaster and REDALiCE Edit

• Zodiac Brave - 2006

OverClocked ReMix Edit

• Final Fantasy VII: Voices of the Lifestream - 2007
• Final Fantasy IV: Echoes of Betrayal, Light of Redemption - 2009
• Untitled Final Fantasy IX Album - 2010
• Final Fantasy V: The Fabled Warriors - 2011
• Final Fantasy VI: Balance and Ruin - 2013

Other Edit

• Black Materia: Final Fantasy VII - 2011

External links Edit

• Wikipedia article on the Music of the Final Fantasy series