RPGamers Network > Reviews > Game Music Reviews > Star Ocean: The Second Story OST
Reviewed by: S3KI
Let's get one thing straight. Motoi Sakuraba is a genius. He is by far my favorite vgm composer (if you're curious, Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu tie at second, followed closely by Stewart Copeland - he did the Spyro the Dragon music, oh yeah!). To me, he is the most adept at conveying the widest array of emotions. It's almost like the old Japanese test for servant girls - whoever could cut a block of tofu into the most even number of pieces and place them as evenly as humanly possible into a bowl of water got the job. Here, the test for vgm composers is who can create the most number of high quality songs which touch the listener's emotions, or somehow and another incite him/her to feel. Motoi excels at this.
One of the best songs ever written (imho) resides here on the first disc. It's called 'Feel Refreshed'; a beautiful piano mini-concerto with one of the most touching melodies backed up by moving eighth notes. I actually remixed this song a month or three ago (if y'all are lucky, I'll rerecord it for you! ^_^) in midi format to have different instruments with an added percussion section. It worked quite nicely, but provides a completely different look at this song (note: the 'percussion' was mixed from Final Fantasy 7's 'Costa del Sol' and 'Jenova Absolute'. I'm a creative little guy, aren't I?).
My next featured song is titled 'Field of Exper.' It's one of two excessively long overworld themes (both coming in around 4 minutes before looping). This song is very rich and energetic; it features the main Star Ocean theme, played on brass and flute (o_O?) backed with Motoi's omnipresent splash cymbals. At about 1:10 you think you've hit the repeat but it quickly becomes evident that you haven't. Motoi takes the dark strings' harmony to new heights and then at 2:23 you feel like you're in the eye of the storm - a harp and flute trade seconds, and the song mounts to the remarkable climax (with noted fanfares from the brass and loud, crashing cymbals).
Next up for discussion is 'Shower of Blossoms'. This song is quite light in comparison to 'Field of Exper.' It features a brave harpsichord playing a modified Star Ocean theme, supported by a snare and rolling trumpet fanfares. What makes this song really special is its glowing conclusionary phrases.
'Heraldic Emblem' deserves a mite of recognition. Probably one of Motoi's most 'modern' songs, this song has two primary instruments: a jazz drum set and a rather nice music box effect. It's quite interesting when the strings add a dark, underlying melody.
'In a Lightsome Mood' is another song which clearly demonstrates Motoi's genius. Backed by a sweet bass line, a prominent snare drum, running sixteenths on a harpsichord, and an organ (O_O) the strings bring in the main melody, which is accented by a flute. Finally, the brass take it up a notch by blasting the fanfare.
One of the loudest songs on the soundtrack (second only to 'Ceremight'), 'The Colosseum' is a militaristic brass feature, with a killer percussion introduction. I found this song suited its environment better than most songs. In Star Ocean 2, while in the Colosseum, you see many grand sites and even have to participate in a few battles. This song reminds one of the events in the Colosseum and sounds really cool as well ^_^.
'Pyroxene' (pronounced "pie-rock-sen"
is another fairly modern song. It has quickly moving bass line that gets a much need jolt of melody from some harmonic strings, a group of flutes, and the icing on the cake, a piccolo. This song really gets those emotions going. It provides a sense of wonderment and adventure, success and fulfillment. Truly another great song from a master.
'Look Forward' is another emotional song. It starts out kind of dark and dreary, but quickly picks up. Piccolos and flutes come in, and we really get a sense of hope, like "yeah - we can do this!"
Ah. 'Field of Nede.' This song is even more impressive than 'Field of Exper'.... Full of pounding timpani, sweeping flute melodies, trilling piccolos, brass fanfares, supporting woodwinds, and a driving snare, this song has it all except a bass line (which is gets in Star Ocean 2 Fantasy Megamix - oh yeah baby!). This song paints a perfect picture of mighty heroism and tragic failures. It tells a story of one quest to save a universe. The stunning climax of this song provides a peep through the looking glass to the end of the game.
'Endlessly' really shows off Motoi's early rock 'n' roll days. A kicking bass line and drum set that won't quit get topped off surprisingly well by a fast-moving organ. The end of this song isn't rock, it's all Motoi, showing off a mature theme and wrapping up a sweet song quite well.
'Rena's Theme - Music box' is another very delicate but musically beautiful song - similar to 'Feel Refreshed.' It sounds like a real music box, yet the song it plays is quite astonishing and anything from childish (I'm not sure a real music box can have moving eighth notes and another melody... eh.).
One of the most unforgettable songs from Star Ocean 2 is 'Mission to the Deep Space.' This song is a journey unto itself. From the opening brass fanfare to the synth rolling sixteenths to the bass solo, this song is a 3:19 adrenaline rush. It's non-stop brass and percussion mayhem (except for, of course, the 5 second bass solo). The climax with french horns is just amazing. This entire song is magnificent.
The ending theme 'We Form in Crystals' shows the maturity with which Motoi handles a soundtrack. It's a soft-rock song basically, with a jazz drum set, a fretless bass (very familiar to those of us who like the Chrono Cross music), and the melody which shifts from strings to a choir. The song slows down after a while, and a beautiful violin takes centerstage. It dies down even more, then builds right back up. The timpani joins in, and then cuts out. The song trails off between a quirky quartet of violins.
Last but definitely not least is 'Star Ocean Forever.' This song is a brass salute to the Star Ocean series, and Motoi's genius shines through with trills and fanfares throughout.
A few short words before the conclusion. You might have noticed on the first disc all the "trumpet 1" and "cembalo 2" type tracks. Those are quick 5 - 20 second songs which feature the named instrument, which you can learn how to play in the game.
Another thing I want to remark upon is the overall quality of the synth music. As you know, today's composers are getting closer and closer to real-sounding music (or some just use real orchestras, as in Grandia I) and Star Ocean 2 has some of the greatest quality computer synth effects to date.
One of the few shortcomings of this album is the length of the songs. You may have noticed that there are 87 tracks on 2 cds. Yes, that means none of them loop. But fear not - as we speak I am working on a remastered edition of this soundtrack with looped songs. I hope to have it up some point in the near future, and I know you're dying to hear them.
The Final Word
I'm sure my sentences can't do Motoi justice, and there's so much left to say. I may upgrade this to a track-by-track at some point. This soundtrack is just utterly amazing. Motoi's ear for killer brass fanfares, awesome bass lines, flute trills, and a great percussion section make him one of today's most innovative and fun composers. I do so hope you'll check out his work.
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| Album Information | Reviewer Rank |
|---|---|
|
Star Ocean: The Second Story OST Published by: First Smile Entertainment Release Date: November 18th 1998 Composed by: Motoi Sakuraba Arranged by: Motoi Sakuraba 2 Discs, 87 Tracks Catalog: FSCA-10063 |
85 |
Reviewed by: S3KI
Let's get one thing straight. Motoi Sakuraba is a genius. He is by far my favorite vgm composer (if you're curious, Yasunori Mitsuda and Nobuo Uematsu tie at second, followed closely by Stewart Copeland - he did the Spyro the Dragon music, oh yeah!). To me, he is the most adept at conveying the widest array of emotions. It's almost like the old Japanese test for servant girls - whoever could cut a block of tofu into the most even number of pieces and place them as evenly as humanly possible into a bowl of water got the job. Here, the test for vgm composers is who can create the most number of high quality songs which touch the listener's emotions, or somehow and another incite him/her to feel. Motoi excels at this.
One of the best songs ever written (imho) resides here on the first disc. It's called 'Feel Refreshed'; a beautiful piano mini-concerto with one of the most touching melodies backed up by moving eighth notes. I actually remixed this song a month or three ago (if y'all are lucky, I'll rerecord it for you! ^_^) in midi format to have different instruments with an added percussion section. It worked quite nicely, but provides a completely different look at this song (note: the 'percussion' was mixed from Final Fantasy 7's 'Costa del Sol' and 'Jenova Absolute'. I'm a creative little guy, aren't I?).
My next featured song is titled 'Field of Exper.' It's one of two excessively long overworld themes (both coming in around 4 minutes before looping). This song is very rich and energetic; it features the main Star Ocean theme, played on brass and flute (o_O?) backed with Motoi's omnipresent splash cymbals. At about 1:10 you think you've hit the repeat but it quickly becomes evident that you haven't. Motoi takes the dark strings' harmony to new heights and then at 2:23 you feel like you're in the eye of the storm - a harp and flute trade seconds, and the song mounts to the remarkable climax (with noted fanfares from the brass and loud, crashing cymbals).
Next up for discussion is 'Shower of Blossoms'. This song is quite light in comparison to 'Field of Exper.' It features a brave harpsichord playing a modified Star Ocean theme, supported by a snare and rolling trumpet fanfares. What makes this song really special is its glowing conclusionary phrases.
'Heraldic Emblem' deserves a mite of recognition. Probably one of Motoi's most 'modern' songs, this song has two primary instruments: a jazz drum set and a rather nice music box effect. It's quite interesting when the strings add a dark, underlying melody.
'In a Lightsome Mood' is another song which clearly demonstrates Motoi's genius. Backed by a sweet bass line, a prominent snare drum, running sixteenths on a harpsichord, and an organ (O_O) the strings bring in the main melody, which is accented by a flute. Finally, the brass take it up a notch by blasting the fanfare.
One of the loudest songs on the soundtrack (second only to 'Ceremight'), 'The Colosseum' is a militaristic brass feature, with a killer percussion introduction. I found this song suited its environment better than most songs. In Star Ocean 2, while in the Colosseum, you see many grand sites and even have to participate in a few battles. This song reminds one of the events in the Colosseum and sounds really cool as well ^_^.
'Pyroxene' (pronounced "pie-rock-sen"
is another fairly modern song. It has quickly moving bass line that gets a much need jolt of melody from some harmonic strings, a group of flutes, and the icing on the cake, a piccolo. This song really gets those emotions going. It provides a sense of wonderment and adventure, success and fulfillment. Truly another great song from a master.'Look Forward' is another emotional song. It starts out kind of dark and dreary, but quickly picks up. Piccolos and flutes come in, and we really get a sense of hope, like "yeah - we can do this!"
Ah. 'Field of Nede.' This song is even more impressive than 'Field of Exper'.... Full of pounding timpani, sweeping flute melodies, trilling piccolos, brass fanfares, supporting woodwinds, and a driving snare, this song has it all except a bass line (which is gets in Star Ocean 2 Fantasy Megamix - oh yeah baby!). This song paints a perfect picture of mighty heroism and tragic failures. It tells a story of one quest to save a universe. The stunning climax of this song provides a peep through the looking glass to the end of the game.
'Endlessly' really shows off Motoi's early rock 'n' roll days. A kicking bass line and drum set that won't quit get topped off surprisingly well by a fast-moving organ. The end of this song isn't rock, it's all Motoi, showing off a mature theme and wrapping up a sweet song quite well.
'Rena's Theme - Music box' is another very delicate but musically beautiful song - similar to 'Feel Refreshed.' It sounds like a real music box, yet the song it plays is quite astonishing and anything from childish (I'm not sure a real music box can have moving eighth notes and another melody... eh.).
One of the most unforgettable songs from Star Ocean 2 is 'Mission to the Deep Space.' This song is a journey unto itself. From the opening brass fanfare to the synth rolling sixteenths to the bass solo, this song is a 3:19 adrenaline rush. It's non-stop brass and percussion mayhem (except for, of course, the 5 second bass solo). The climax with french horns is just amazing. This entire song is magnificent.
The ending theme 'We Form in Crystals' shows the maturity with which Motoi handles a soundtrack. It's a soft-rock song basically, with a jazz drum set, a fretless bass (very familiar to those of us who like the Chrono Cross music), and the melody which shifts from strings to a choir. The song slows down after a while, and a beautiful violin takes centerstage. It dies down even more, then builds right back up. The timpani joins in, and then cuts out. The song trails off between a quirky quartet of violins.
Last but definitely not least is 'Star Ocean Forever.' This song is a brass salute to the Star Ocean series, and Motoi's genius shines through with trills and fanfares throughout.
A few short words before the conclusion. You might have noticed on the first disc all the "trumpet 1" and "cembalo 2" type tracks. Those are quick 5 - 20 second songs which feature the named instrument, which you can learn how to play in the game.
Another thing I want to remark upon is the overall quality of the synth music. As you know, today's composers are getting closer and closer to real-sounding music (or some just use real orchestras, as in Grandia I) and Star Ocean 2 has some of the greatest quality computer synth effects to date.
One of the few shortcomings of this album is the length of the songs. You may have noticed that there are 87 tracks on 2 cds. Yes, that means none of them loop. But fear not - as we speak I am working on a remastered edition of this soundtrack with looped songs. I hope to have it up some point in the near future, and I know you're dying to hear them.
The Final Word
I'm sure my sentences can't do Motoi justice, and there's so much left to say. I may upgrade this to a track-by-track at some point. This soundtrack is just utterly amazing. Motoi's ear for killer brass fanfares, awesome bass lines, flute trills, and a great percussion section make him one of today's most innovative and fun composers. I do so hope you'll check out his work.
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