A mix of synth instruments and live performances from a chamber orchestra, the “suite” for Torneko’s Great Adventure is a marvel to behold. Torneko, a character from Dragon Quest IV who went on to become something of a mascot for Chunsoft’s “Mysterious Dungeon” franchise, has an aura about him that cannot be ignored. Sugiyama’s compositions regarding this lovable guy fit his quirky personality well. Big, “oompah” marches, jazz compositions, and relaxing melodies dominate this soundtrack. “Torneko’s Theme,” as was originally written for Dragon Quest IV, is a repeated motif across this soundtrack.
Alongside the Torneko-centric style of the music, there are also some excellent dungeon themes. “Ice Dungeon” and “A Mysterious Object” are strong, and they remind me of Sugiyama’s compositions for the other Chunsoft game he worked on, Shiren the Wanderer. These are great melodies.
While lacking all the grandeur and majesty that main-series Dragon Quest soundtracks hold, the musical quality of Torneko’s Great Adventure is still quite high. If you want something from Sugiyama that’s a little more whimsical, you’ve come to the right place. Eight arranged tracks and three original tracks from this fine Super Famicom title, all on one disc, is a great deal. Now…good luck getting ahold of this fine soundtrack (and note the 2009 reprint).
