Basiscape (Sakimoto and friends) provided the score to the oldschool RPG-styled PS2 game “Elminage” (this predates any DS or PSP sequels, ports, or spinoffs). This was not long before Basiscape became their own record label and publishing house. Thus, the soundtrack was not released retail, and could only be obtained via preorder/promotional bonus in Japan.
The first few tracks I listened to reminded me of another recent Basiscape outing: RIZ-ZOAWD, easily one of my favorite RPG soundtracks of 2009. But the shared qualities I heard between RIZ-ZOAWD and Elminage quickly faded. As it turns out, I dare say that this soundtrack is best relegated to “promo-only” status.
Yes, there are some decent tracks. And for every song I heard, it was not difficult for me to say “oh yes, this would fit ____” and fill in the blank with another game that the Basiscape team has worked on. In other words, it all feels painfully derivative. What is unique to Vagrant Story, to RIZ-ZOAWD, to FFXII, to Valkyria Chronicles, all of these games’ styles I could quickly detect in the Elminage soundtrack. So for example, the opening “Main Theme” has a sound that is uncanny to RIZ-ZOAWD. “Legend of Twilight” sounds like a town or “happier environment” (such as a forest or field) theme for FFXII. “Forgotten World” fits my impression of Vagrant Story quite well. And “Ahoh Dance,” well, I could imagine it being part of Valkyria Chronicles under the right circumstances.
And before anyone else calls me out on it, yes! I do realize one could probably do this sort of dissecting and make claims of derivation between any two Basiscape scores. I get that. But you probably can’t do it with the majority of any one OST. But you can with Elminage. All 34 tracks sound like more of the same, none of them stand out and say “okay, this is the ‘Elminage’ sound.” And I don’t think it was ever meant to be that way. It’s just more stock music for an RPG.
So, all of that being said, it’s hardly worth hunting down and collecting. I’ll happily take emails from anyone who would disagree. I tend to enjoy Basiscape music, and I did enjoy Elminage’s music as well; just not enough to want to own it when I have superior products in its stead.
