[B] First Round #15 (Companions That Surpassed Their Tribe vs. Ormus Stronghold)

Listen to both songs and select the one you prefer.

Download Links:

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift - Companions That Surpassed Their Tribe
Xenosaga Episode II: Jensuits von Gut und Bose - Ormus Stronghold

Streaming:

Companions That Surpassed Their Tribe: Get the Flash Player to play this audio file:
Ormus Stronghold: Get the Flash Player to play this audio file:

Cheers.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift - Companions That Surpassed Their Tribe
I prefer the original version of this song from the prequel, but this arrangement isn't too bad. It's definitely got the hallmark of FFTA down pat, though: there's a real sense of childlike wonder and innocent adventure throughout the music.

Xenosaga Episode II: Jensuits von Gut und Bose - Ormus Stronghold
A real bit of unexpected synthiness here. Other than that surprise, this is kind of a mixed bag; some nice parts, some fairly long dry spots and odd effects.

Companions, etc.

Ciao.

I'm voting for the underdog here. Ormus Stronghold is a good track. It's a shame that Hosoe's XS2 work never got a soundtrack; he did some great stuff. Honestly, I think I like it more than Mitsuda's work on XS1.

Cheers.

Wow, someone nominated Ormus Stronghold. I don't know what to make of that. I enjoy the parts that sound like the final stage theme, but you have to get through the... weird first section to listen to that. I've heard Hosoe's work on the game, and while I don't think it's a weak track, it's definitely one of the more unusual.

See what happens when you add a little clarity to your orchestral works, Sakimoto? Great things happen. The orchestral Sakimoto work in this contest is better than that of previous contests, good job nominators.

Ciao.

Listening to the first few seconds of the FFTA2 track, I had a strong feeling the unconventional "Ormus Stronghold" would have no chance. While I wouldn't mind "Companions That Surpassed Their Tribe" moving on since it really is a great track with a strong melody, I have to say that "Ormus Stronghold" has a longer lasting appeal for me because it's so varied and different that a single listen simply can't do it justice. Even the odd introduction starts to click into place like a part of an intricate puzzle after you understand how the song's various sections connect.

Cheers.

Meh. Clarity is a bit of a stretch, Companions still sounds like a clusterfuck of terrible reverbs. I recognize the melody and the old version is so much better since Sakimoto couldn't throw his music down the cheapness well yet. It's just ridiculous to listen to this rearrangement.

This Xenosaga track is also a bit muddy, but it's pretty solid stuff. It doesn't sound so unconventional to me (or indeed underdog-ish, but I guess Sakimoto always wins everything here, ever). At any rate, this track is simply better.

Ciao.

I love the original "Companions That Surpassed Their Tribe", so lemme see how this A2 reprise stacks up... It's got those Sakimoto-isms that I hate, which weren't apparent in the original. The original was melodic, fantastical, charming...this one replaces the whimsy with some silly, serious and superfluous militaristic touches. Oh Hitoshi, it's as if you've ripped my heart out, embedded one of your army tunes into it, and shoved it back in my chest. (<-- exaggeration, I actually really like the composition just not a fan of the arrangement)

"Ormus Stronghold" was BORING. Guh, I just don't get this kind of music. Bland, boring...burdensome even? Nah, it isn't, but it's pretty crappy to my ears. Looks like Sakimoto gets my vote here. I'll give him some respect for the composition, and disregard the militaristicisms...

"Companions That Surpassed Their Tribe" - 6.5/10 The original would get a 9
"Ormus Stronghold" - 3/10

Cheers.

Originally Posted by Muzza

Oh Hitoshi, it's as if you've ripped my heart out, embedded one of your army tunes into it, and shoved it back in my chest. (<-- exaggeration, I actually really like the composition just not a fan of the arrangement)

It should hearten you to know that the arrangements on the disc weren't done by dear old Hitoshi at all, but rather by his Basiscape pals Iwata, Kaneda, Abe, and Kamikura. They're the ones acting the Mola Ram here, while (most of) the brand-new tunes were actually composed by YmoH. S.

Ciao.

;_____; Ugh. Companions isn't striking me as good.

Oh, and this other track reminds me of why I didn't like the non-orchestrated parts of the X2 musics as much as the stuff that chick did. Dull and annoying. Kinda sounds like a dot matrix printer's going on with that repeated string ostinato. Companions by default.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by orion_mk3

It should hearten you to know that the arrangements on the disc weren't done by dear old Hitoshi at all, but rather by his Basiscape pals Iwata, Kaneda, Abe, and Kamikura. They're the ones acting the Mola Ram here, while (most of) the brand-new tunes were actually composed by YmoH. S.

o i c. Well my contempt towards Sakimoto still stands.

Ciao.

There are some elements of Ormus Stronghold that aren't ace, but on the whole this is an engaging synth track. Companions is enjoyable to me as well, but at this point in the contest all these Sakimoto tracks start to sound a little alike. I'll choose something that's a bit more distinctive and very pleasurable.

Cheers.

: Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift - Companions That Surpassed Their Tribe
: Xenosaga Episode II: Jensuits von Gut und Bose - Ormus Stronghold

Parts of Ormus Stronghold made me think of the Majestar theme from Bomberman Generation, and now I really want to listen to that instead. Ah well. Not too bad, but nothing else to say about it.

The original Companions who Overcame Their Races from FFTA was one of my favorite tracks from the game and this arrangement does nothing to ruin it. I actually have to admit that I am liking the Sakimoto content in this year's contest.

Ciao.