If you couldn’t tell from the tracklist, apparently “The Best” thing that Spectral Force offers musically is from the “Spectral Force Chronicle” title, which I believe is a remake for PS2. Let’s work backwards to get the less appealing stuff out of the way, then hit the main course: shall we? Let us anon.
The very first Spectral Force never had a soundtrack released for it. Apparently, the music wasn’t held in high esteem even by its own company, because the “best” music they could find were the opening vocal and an arranged version of a main map theme. Yikes.
Spectral Force 2 has some fairly good music, and I’d say that Team Entertainment got it right when they picked these songs. They may not be the absolute best songs from the game (that’s based on opinion anyway), but it’s a fair sample of what the soundtrack holds. Spectral Force 2 did have its own soundtrack printed, but it was and is extremely hard to find.
“Lovely Wickedness” is a side-story game in the Spectral Force series. Composed by Toru Kobayashi, it is probably my least favorite work in the series. The sound quality just isn’t what it should be. As such, even the “best” songs from this soundtrack sound subpar compared to the rest of what’s on this disc. Note that Spectral Force Lovely Wickedness also had a soundtrack printed, and it too is a rare find…one I would not suggest people seek after when this superior “Best” disc is available.
Now then, the real deal, 30 tracks from the PS2 “Spectral Force Chronicle.” These tracks are fairly good. If I were to make comparisons, I’d say that much of the music here either sounds like music from Langrisser or else from Final Fantasy Tactics (more strategy RPGs: surprise!). There is a nice mix of hard-rock tracks and synth orchestra tracks throughout the soundtrack; it’s certainly fitting for the style that Idea Factory had in mind with the overarching “Spectral” series.
Two more things before I wrap up the review: first, I can’t help but point out the silly Engrish. Track 5, “Baby, I’m in Relief”…I don’t even know what that’s supposed to mean, but I’m pretty sure it sounds naughty. The “Openning” on track 39 is also the work of the Japanese publishers. Secondly, “Line of Destiny” is a vocal track that appears twice, and there are a few other vocals that make an appearance on the CD. I liked all of these vocal tracks, especially because they weren’t the standard J-Pop ballads I expected them to be.
If you have intentions of keeping up with Idea Factory’s work, then get this soundtrack before it falls into obscurity.
