Let’s open this review with a confession: I know next to nothing about the Lunatic Dawn series. I’ve done some research, and I know that Odyssey was a PS1 RPG, and that there was a sequel on PS2 called Lunatic Dawn Tempest. That’s about it. Oh, and I also know a bit about the company that created the series.
Artdink: they’re one eccentric little game developing company. They’ve also gone and hidden the identity of the composer for this particular title. Thanks a lot.
Anyway, I came around to picking up this soundtrack thanks to a track from one of the “Melody of Legend” albums that arranged some Lunatic Dawn music. I figured it was worth a listen. What are my thoughts? I’m so glad you asked!
Well, like Artdink, this music has some eccentric stuff going on. Really, really strange instruments are used. They grate on your ears, yet simultaneously they appeal to the rest of your senses. This isn’t the case with every song, of course. Songs like “Sunrise” are simply peaceful and beautiful. But, to give you an example, track 12 uses some rather nasty sounds, some of which are frankly out of key. But it’s exotic, and in a way, it’s still quite good.
The majority of the soundtrack is very intriguing. For such an obscure title, I was pleased by the way it was scored; I can just imagine how it would work in the game (given the game was any good). I can also imagine this game putting a high value on aesthetic features, as this music would do well to enhance some sort of brilliant scenery, outdoor or indoor. Pizzicato strings, chimes, flutes, snare drums, crash cymbals, and all sorts of other instruments are used to bring the score to life.
Also, the six bonus tracks (which come from other Lunatic Dawn titles) were a nice touch. I was especially impressed with “sincism,” which you can listen to by clicking on the sample audio link.
A few online stores still carry this title, including Play Asia. At least, that was the case when I wrote this review. Nab it while you still can.
