Rising (3+)
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You're right, I was wrong, and it was Yuki Kajiura who scored those games. I'll admit that I'm not exactly a huge fan of her work and would have rather seen Mitsuda score those final episodes. I do have faith that ACE+ and Shimomura will be able to faithfully recreate the same stylistic approach that Kajiura took with those games though -- for better or worse.
I'm just happy that Xenoblade might return to the celtic overtones we saw with Xenogears and Xenosaga Episode 1.
I'm just happy that Xenoblade might return to the celtic overtones we saw with Xenogears and Xenosaga Episode 1.
Personally I think Yuki Kajiura is one of the best composers out there. Her music added a TON of emotion to Xenosaga II and III. Alot of the scenes would not have had as much impact as they did without her music. While I like Mitsuda I can't really say the same thing for any of the songs in Episode I.
Yuki Kajiura has a style that very few other composers even try to copy because quite frankly she does it best. She often uses vocals as a instrument instead of a way to convey lyrics and she does that better then any other composer I can think of. She also tries to create a central theme and run it through as many songs as she can without it ever really sounding the same(She did this to very good effect in Xenosaga II and III and did it very well in the Mai Hime and Mai Otome anime as well. You can even see it in her older work like Noir).
Yuki Kajiura has a style that very few other composers even try to copy because quite frankly she does it best. She often uses vocals as a instrument instead of a way to convey lyrics and she does that better then any other composer I can think of. She also tries to create a central theme and run it through as many songs as she can without it ever really sounding the same(She did this to very good effect in Xenosaga II and III and did it very well in the Mai Hime and Mai Otome anime as well. You can even see it in her older work like Noir).
Damn lack of a edit button.
Just wanted to add that unless Monolith has gone back on their earlier statements Xenoblade has nothing to do with Xenogears and Xenosaga. They are entirely unrelated. The game originally had a different name until Nintendo thought it a good idea to change it(probably to get fans to think it was indeed related).
That said I don't think the game has any reason to sound the same as the previous Xeno games. From what I have heard so far it doesn't either. It's certainly beautiful but it doesn't exactly sound as if they are trying to re create any particular sound. Just sounds like they are making the best soundtrack they possibly can which is great. Composers are at their best when they are trying to be original rather then emulate what the original did(which is more the likely why Yuki never tried to emulate the first game and instead did her own thing)
Just wanted to add that unless Monolith has gone back on their earlier statements Xenoblade has nothing to do with Xenogears and Xenosaga. They are entirely unrelated. The game originally had a different name until Nintendo thought it a good idea to change it(probably to get fans to think it was indeed related).
That said I don't think the game has any reason to sound the same as the previous Xeno games. From what I have heard so far it doesn't either. It's certainly beautiful but it doesn't exactly sound as if they are trying to re create any particular sound. Just sounds like they are making the best soundtrack they possibly can which is great. Composers are at their best when they are trying to be original rather then emulate what the original did(which is more the likely why Yuki never tried to emulate the first game and instead did her own thing)
I get it, you're a fan and that's cool. I'll agree that the music was probably the best thing about Xenosaga II and III but, in my honest opinion, that's really not saying much. It could easily be argued that neither game were very good to begin with.
As for a "style that few others try to copy," it wouldn't be the first time I've gotten her work confused with Shimomura's. I'd cite examples, but I'm really too lazy to go and track them down. That kind of thing might make for a good feature in the future, though, so I'll keep it in mind.
As for a "style that few others try to copy," it wouldn't be the first time I've gotten her work confused with Shimomura's. I'd cite examples, but I'm really too lazy to go and track them down. That kind of thing might make for a good feature in the future, though, so I'll keep it in mind.
I like Yuki Kajiura, quite a bit actually, but I can't listen to too much of her music at once, because if I do, it all starts to blend together. You can recognize a Kajiura soundtrack really quickly because she has this signature sound that tends to encompass all her works. Not that you can't pick out other composers if you're familiar enough with their sound and the kinds of things they do, but with her, it's really easy; possibly easier than it should be.
Mitsuda, though, I've liked most of what he's composed - he's definitely my favorite game composer. Shimomura has been stuck doing Kingdom Hearts, which I think isn't really near the top of her works, but she did compose the Legend of Mana soundtrack, which is a personal favorite of mine, so I have faith she can pull off some good stuff for Xenoblade.
Mitsuda, though, I've liked most of what he's composed - he's definitely my favorite game composer. Shimomura has been stuck doing Kingdom Hearts, which I think isn't really near the top of her works, but she did compose the Legend of Mana soundtrack, which is a personal favorite of mine, so I have faith she can pull off some good stuff for Xenoblade.
@Tim Sheehy
I will agree that Xenosaga II was crap and failed in nearly every aspect(aside from the soundtrack) I mean it takes a total side step to the story that people were expecting to see.
Episode III however was a incredible game and fans and the media alike agree with that. Visually it was the perfect blend between the anime style of Episdoe I and the Real style of episode II. It had the best combat the series had. And on top of being cut 3 games short(Xenosaga was supposed to be 6 episodes not 3) It was still able to come up with a coherent ending that seemed like the end while still leaving the series open should they wish to continue in the future(which obviously can't happen now with Nintendo owning Monolith). Episode III wasen't quite as good as Episode 1 but it came damn close. When you consider the troubled development cycle it had that's really impressive.
I will agree that Xenosaga II was crap and failed in nearly every aspect(aside from the soundtrack) I mean it takes a total side step to the story that people were expecting to see.
Episode III however was a incredible game and fans and the media alike agree with that. Visually it was the perfect blend between the anime style of Episdoe I and the Real style of episode II. It had the best combat the series had. And on top of being cut 3 games short(Xenosaga was supposed to be 6 episodes not 3) It was still able to come up with a coherent ending that seemed like the end while still leaving the series open should they wish to continue in the future(which obviously can't happen now with Nintendo owning Monolith). Episode III wasen't quite as good as Episode 1 but it came damn close. When you consider the troubled development cycle it had that's really impressive.
I've been going to the site and listening to this music almost every day. I cannot wait to buy this.
@Tim Sheehy
Dude, you're the first dude I heard that said Xenosaga 3 weren't good. Well, it's your opinion and that's cool I guess....
To me, Xenosaga 3 was really awesome. I lost faith in the Xenosaga series after playing Xenosaga 2. That was total garbage for sure. Xenosaga 3 reminded me of why I love the Xenosaga series.
Long story short, basically everything Reibooi said.
Dude, you're the first dude I heard that said Xenosaga 3 weren't good. Well, it's your opinion and that's cool I guess....
To me, Xenosaga 3 was really awesome. I lost faith in the Xenosaga series after playing Xenosaga 2. That was total garbage for sure. Xenosaga 3 reminded me of why I love the Xenosaga series.
Long story short, basically everything Reibooi said.
I just hope that it comes over hear seeing that Nintendo has yet to bring over any of Monolith's games to the US. Lets hope we hear an announcement during any of the gaming conferences.
From the word of mouth it seems that the Xenosaga trilogy seems to be a like it or hate it among the people who enjoyed Xenogears.
I only played through episode one, I decided to watch videos of the cutscenes and story for episode two, I own three but it is still lying on my shelf until the day I have the time to sit down and play it.
Wasn't the Xenosaga series suppose to be a prequel to the Xenogears story? Even though Square-enix owned it, it didn't stop Monolith from making it. So if they ever want to continue it, they can always release it under a different title like with Xenosaga. We can only hope that Nintendo approves.
On the side note, the soundtrack is pretty amazing so far. I look forward to hearing the rest of the music. Thank you again for sharing this link with us.
From the word of mouth it seems that the Xenosaga trilogy seems to be a like it or hate it among the people who enjoyed Xenogears.
I only played through episode one, I decided to watch videos of the cutscenes and story for episode two, I own three but it is still lying on my shelf until the day I have the time to sit down and play it.
Wasn't the Xenosaga series suppose to be a prequel to the Xenogears story? Even though Square-enix owned it, it didn't stop Monolith from making it. So if they ever want to continue it, they can always release it under a different title like with Xenosaga. We can only hope that Nintendo approves.
On the side note, the soundtrack is pretty amazing so far. I look forward to hearing the rest of the music. Thank you again for sharing this link with us.
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