Sorcerian Super Arrange Version: pretty much the biggest disappointment in my Falcom listening experience. This is, however, more my fault than Falcom’s. Allow me to explain.
Over the years, Falcom has produced a lot of games, but they have produced even more music for those games than they have produced games. I’d like to see someone do the math, but I’d guess that for each game Falcom has released, there are about 3 soundtracks accompanying it. Of those soundtracks, the “Super Arrange” soundtracks were usually some of the best. Falcom Special Box ’94, thought to be the best of the Special Box series, was 3 Super Arrange CDs. I have found myself loving the Super Arrange Versions for various Legend of Heroes, Ys, and Xanadu titles.
I’ve also listened to Sorcerian Super Arrange Vol. 2 and 3. I got them in backwards order, starting with 3. Unfortunately, those were poor examples, as they were actually just a few arranged tracks followed by some “added” OST work. I had always thought that I was being ripped off with those two albums, but that the first Sorcerian Super Arrange would be the real deal. I was woefully displeased when I finally got to hear this album.
The problem, I take it, is that’s so old. I mean, in 1988, it’s one of the first arrange albums Falcom did (though I believe Ys III Super Arrange came out around the same time). So here’s the problem: it’s crappy synth arrange. The “arrangements” are about the same quality as a Super Nintendo game’s music…for the most part. A few tracks in the middle and the end featured live guitars, flute, and sax…I think. Otherwise, the music really isn’t that impressive at all.
Added to this is the fact that three very good arranged albums, the 3 Sorcerian Perfect Collections, easily outdo each and every one of these songs, and one is left wondering why Falcom bothered reprinting this album at the end of the millenium. I don’t mean to be too hard, but really, how can I not?
My favorite track on the album was probably track 10, “Cave II.” Yet, similar arrangements of the same song can be found on Special Box ’89, except the work on Special Box ’89 was slightly better. Yikes. Go ahead and get this one if you want, but please take my warning seriously: this is the worst of all of Falcom’s “Super Arrange” albums out there. I’m serious.
