Edit (added August 10, 2010): the Square Enix reprint includes separate packaging and a bonus 25th track recorded in Milan during the “Piano Collections Final Fantasy XIII” recording. It is a different version of track 5.
…If your main attraction to SaGa Frontier 2’s OST was the use of piano, then this soundtrack is for you. If you like piano music at all, the soundtracks is DEFINITELY for you. If you want fast-paced action with some mellow tracks here and there, this CD is a must-have!
The SF2 Piano Tracks are amazing. Each little group of tracks (based on letter) is performed by different people. Some of the later tracks are duet tracks. And if you want to learn these tracks, the music comes with the soundtrack! (ALL OF IT, except for the Rhapsody tracks that aren’t just piano). This booklet is found in the front of the limited edition case which is not a case at all but a paper slip-holding thing…Hard to describe, but somewhat like the front of the American “Myst” OST made into the front and back. Very cool packaging there. And the music is easy to read, making it more fun to practice!
The tracks stay very close to the original, with the usual “arranging” being the adding of various harmonies, and using the piano for parts that weren’t the synth piano in the OST. Of course, there is a little exception from tracks 19-24. Those would be the “Rhapsody on a Theme” tracks, which are recorded live with about 8 different instruments from piano to woodwind to string to brass. This is probably the best part of the CD…Some argue that the whole CD would’ve been better had it just been all set up like these last few tracks.
I will admit that there are a few tracks on here that don’t suit my taste: overall, however, I think this CD is definitely a worthy edition to any soundtrack library, especially for the Square enthusiast…No point buying the OST if you’re not gonna buy this too, IMO.
