One of the three first Falcom Millenium Series double-disc releases, this strange “leftover-miscellaneous” soundtrack struck me as something worth looking into. The other new CDs released were the definitive “New” OSTs for Ys/Ys II Eternal and Legend of Heroes IV…but this one caught my eye, so I bought it.
I don’t know what the other albums sound like, but I know I like these. Apparently, these tracks are “alternate” renditions of songs that they made but never used in the new games. They are all highly advanced MIDI music, nothing more…but these arrangements have never been used before…not even close. Not only that, but they’re all ENJOYABLE, so it seems like quite the worthy purchase. It looks like Falcom still has the ability to milk Ys music and make it sound new.
So the classic Ys Music is back, but what about Legend of Heroes IV? I’m not nearly as familiar with this music (all I’ve heard is the piano tracks and Electric Orchestra)…but let me tell you, disc 2 is VERY dramatic, some of the best music to come out of the year 2001 so far. Check out the samples on these, they are just spectacular.
Another special little treat for me personally is disc 1 track 9 (the beginning of the Ys II music). When Ys II Eternal was announced, Falcom put a little 2 minute trailer up on their site, featuring this AWESOME rendition of “To Make the End of Battle”. I never thought it would go on a CD, so I kept the movie just for that music. Well, I don’t need that file anymore because that track is the music, and it is SWEET! Half way through it cuts out for this neat piano part, and then it builds up really well near the end…it’s just all-around great.
As for packaging, the soundtrack is single-case size using the double-disc inside case thing, which breaks really easily. I wasn’t happy about that. The Ys music tracklist is listed in English, whereas LoH IV’s music was listed in Japanese. The booklet that comes with the CD is only a one page fold-out, and all it has is the tracklist (which is already on the back). That was sort of dissappointing. But the front cover has neat artwork, so that’s cool.
One of the newest CDs from Falcom, you can find this CD by ordering it directly from their site (Falcom). Listen to the samples, I guarantee you that you’ll like this great MIDI music!
