Star Ocean 3 OST review

[kaserdan]

I've picked my favorite tracks from the soundtrack of Star Ocean 3 OST, and though I could share with you the feelings I get while listening ! http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/bigmouth.gif

So, in order on the soundtrack :

Fly by Contact (Trophies menu)
Not a long theme, but it feels very relaxing. You'd want to sleep listening to it ! 8.0/10

Starless Wavelets (Fast event)
You get the feeling of moving from your spot ! Gotta do something !! The violon in background is NEAT on that one. Really something. 8.5/10

Misted Moon (Sad event)
This one reeks of melancoly. I like its peaceful, yet troublesome aspect. You can tell something's wrong, yet it's so calm around... 7.5/10

Lakes and Marshes With Doubt (Peaceful area)
This one is played on some spaceships. It's an ambiant, (lacks melody), but it fulfills its purpose well. Some may not like it like I do... 7.0/10

Fallen Leaves - Flute Ver. (village, or peaceful event)
All is well, all is at peace... the flute and piano are slow and beautiful, and the background guitar adds a nice feeling to it. 9.5/10

The Desolate Smell of Earth (village)
Perfect ! The melody is just magnificent ! You'd want to build a house in that village and stay there just to listen to it all day long !! 10/10

Till the End of Time (sad event)
A soft melody. With the flute, harp and bass occasionnaly. 8/10

Requiem for a Saint (village)
A sad village that is. 8/10

Ice Crystal (event)
Another stand alone melody, like "Till the End of Time". This time, it feels like something's awfully wrong. It has a sad taste. 7.5/10

The Future of Blood-Stained Blade (event)
Another melody with more instruments. Things are getting somewhere ! Seems like we'll achieve our goals soon ! 7.5/10

Reflected Moon (wild area)
Even if there are monsters around, it feels so calm ! There's snow on the mountain, and the sky is wide... Are we really gonna fight here ? 7.5/10

So Alone, Be Sorrow (sad events)
The piano version is very well done too (the last part in particular). I feel more nostalgic about this one. Yet another sad theme. 8/10

Influence of Truth Appearance (great event)
Power and Energy ! We're so gonna get things done in a flash ! Just wait, we're comin' !! 9/10

Interval of Freezed Time (wild area)
This one is very special. You've gotta play the game to understand fully. The feelings you get is uneasiness, fear, and even loneliness. It fits that area JUST too well. 10/10

Brass Wings (Another Ver) (great event)
Power and Energy again ! This version is a lot more better than the other one. 9.5/10

Expiration (wild area)
Played in many dungeons. When I first heard it, I felt like : "Yeah ! Let's kick some butts !!" Electric guitar. Nuff said http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/biggrin.gif 9/10

The Divine Spirit of Language (special boss)
The best battle theme of the OST. The others lacked good instruments, but this one is perfect. 10/10

Rust Color (village)
By far my favorite of them all. I don't know why... It's just so nostalgic and sad. 11/10

Bird's Eye View (wild area)
Between two villages. 8.5/10

Around the Wilderness (wild area)
Again, between two villages. 7.5/10

Moon Base (wild area)
Sound like a MegaMan track http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/biggrin.gif 8/10

The Virtual Image (wild area)
Another MegaManIsh track, but not as much as MoonBase http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/biggrin.gif 8/10

There are some other good ones. Too many of em you say ? Hey, it's a good album http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/spining.gif

[Zeugma 440]

Star Ocean III has been the first OST featuring Motoi Sakuraba's new style. With higher quality samples and a more elaborate way of orchestrating its tunes, he has surprised me in a very good way. Besides, it was high time he made this move because IMO, his old style of music was a bit out of breath.

Since RPGN has a VGM review section, Locke may be interested in your comments, Kaserdan :)

Oh... and welcome back http://www.rpgamers.info/images/smilies/bouncy.gif !!

[Kilu]

I still don't get this 'new style' business. The style is the same old Sakuraba. Granted, it sounds better because of the instruments and less reverb (SO2 was drowning in reverb...ugh), but the style is the same.


It's a nice album, though I do like Baten Kaitos better.

[Zeugma 440]

When saying "new style", I mean that he took advantage of the new technical features of the PS2 to compose music that sounds better (yep, "Reverb Ocean" is gone ;) ) and that is richer in terms of orchestration. Choosing realistic samples instead of the all-synthetic of yore has had an impact on the way he composes.

I consider this as a change of style, though the overall meaning of his tunes remain unchanged (in three words : energy, heroism and melancholy).

[Kilu]

I wouldn't go as far as call it a new style, more like Sakuraba Extented :D

[Zedie9]

I wouldn't go as far as call it a new style, more like Sakuraba Extented :D
:) Nah. More like Sakuraba Enhanced or Sakuraba Evolved. :p

[kaserdan]

Agree with Sakuraba evolved :D

And I also agree with Kilu. Baiten Kaitos really is better. I can't get tired of listening to it !

I read a lot in that review section, Zeugma, but I'm not really good at writting those. First, my english isn't good enough. It'd take twice as much time as a normal person to get it all done in a good way. Although I like to comment some tracks here and there ^_^

[Kilu]

What better way to improve your english than to write reviews? :) I can't think of anything better :p

The only problem is that Locke has not been updating it in a while. There is currently

1 Review
7 VGM Reviews
27 Lyrics
54 Quotes

to be approved :)