RPGFan Music

RPGFan Music of the Year 2024 Editors’ Favorites: Gio Castillo

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Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Original Soundtrack

In terms of scale, it’s difficult to top the seven-disc (eight, if you count the limited edition) behemoth that is the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth soundtrack. The top-to-bottom quality is undeniable, even if the orchestral tracks do less for me than when the album veers into groovy and poppy territory. Rebirth is at its best when it liberally reinterprets tracks from the original game and FFVII Remake, and especially when it crafts entirely new compositions — usually for the craploads of side content.

Speaking of which, many of the sidequest and minigame themes remain trapped on the eighth disc of that limited edition (which is Japan-exclusive). These are some of the game’s best, like the addictively twee “Stamp – Battle Edit” and the rollicking “Beck’s Badasses – Yo Yo Yo!,” so I implore you to seek them out. And there are hundreds more tracks in Rebirth that have yet to be released at all. Still waiting on the Dolphin Jump theme, Square Enix.

Highlighted Track: “Beck’s Badasses – Yo Yo Yo!”


Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Original Soundtrack

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s music team has mastered the art of making great workout music. Like, I’m no gym-goer, but the soundtrack to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth makes me feel like I could deadlift 100 kilograms. So many of the best tracks are in the realm of high-octane EDM, which isn’t usually my scene, but Hidenori Shoji and company consistently nail it.

I have to shout out “Brutality -Rebuild-” for elevating a decent but forgettable Yakuza: Like a Dragon boss theme by weaving in a chopped-up choir, skittering breakbeat, and crunchy synths. Another highlight is “Honolulu City Lights,” which easily ranks among my favorite city pop pastiches of the year. Granted, I’ve only heard two, the second of which I will share later on…

Highlighted Track: “Brutality -Rebuild-“


Persona 3 Reload Original Soundtrack

While the redone music is serviceable, I tend to prefer the original Persona 3 soundtrack over P3 Reload’s. The former packs a heftier punch, which I find especially noticeable when comparing the lead vocals. Unfortunately, new singer Azumi Takahashi doesn’t quite live up to Yumi Kawamura’s vivacious performance.

But Takahashi undoubtedly shines when it comes to Persona 3 Reload’s new compositions: “Full Moon Full Life,” “Color Your Night,” and “It’s Going Down Now.” “Color Your Night” in particular might be my favorite Persona song ever. It’s an honest-to-god R&B earworm from the ‘90s that boasts the series’ slickest refrain, delivered with a sumptuously dulcet croon by Takahashi. Its surprising high point might be the bridge, featuring a rare singing turn by Lotus Juice.

Highlighted Track: “Color Your Night”


Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance Original Soundtrack

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance doubles down on the wild experimentation of the original game, and the result is a new high-water mark for the series and Atlus soundtracks as a whole. All of it sounds like it’s emanating from the ninth circle of hell’s speaker system and I love it.

Vengeance’s soundtrack is eclectic as it gets, from the cacophonous industrial funk of “Battle -Beelzebub-” to the comfortingly chill vibes of “Demon Haunt I.” “Battle -the adversary-” makes me want to headbang until my vision spins, while “Shakan” makes me want to sit down and reflect on how long this writeup is getting. Look, the Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance soundtrack is simply a masterpiece and deserving of your time. If you’re in the mood for a challenging but rewarding work of art, here you go.

Highlighted Track: “Battle -Beelzebub-“


Stellar Blade Original Soundtrack

At a spine-chilling 10 hours long, Stellar Blade’s soundtrack is as long as FFVII Rebirth’s. Our own Rob White has managed to review both with an unfailingly keen and discerning ear, and I definitely agree with what he’s already written about the former. It’s a top contender for best soundtrack of 2024, and I even prefer it over its chief inspiration NieR: Automata! What can I say? I’m a pophead deep down, and this album is brimming with songs that wouldn’t be out of place on a top 40 chart.

My favorite is “Don’t Forget Me,” a bona fide city pop ditty (the second one from 2024!) that sounds like a modern take on “Sunset Beach” from Super Dimension Fortress Macross. Not enough people have heard it in-game since it was introduced after launch, so I’m glad it was included on the soundtrack.

Highlighted Track: “Don’t Forget Me”


Gio Castillo

Gio is a writer and editor with a deep fondness for role-playing and management games. He lives in the Philippines with two cats he loves dearly.