RPGamers Network > Reviews > Game Music Reviews > Xenogears: Creid
Reviewed by: Mithrandir
The Great Mitsuda they say...is he that great? And who are they exactly? So many questions needing answers...
I never played Xenogears. Not because I think the game sucks but because I never saw it in stores. And of course, I'll buy the game to play sooner or later. For my next review I wanted to try something different than a simple OST (original soundtrack). So I wanted an arranged album but not only an orchestral CD. So I decided to listen to Xenogears: Creid. Mitsuda is well-known for his work in many games. Those include Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Xenogears, Tsugunai and Xenosaga. And he's also well-known for the celtic style of his compositions. And Creid is purely celtic...well...mostly celtic. And is it good you ask? Oh boy yes...
I'm not really a fan of Celtic music but I must admit I enjoy listening to it sometimes...like at the local Irish pub...
I know what you're thinking..."Mitsuda's work on The Brink of Time was not good and this time it won't". Let's just give him a chance okay. And well, The Brink of Time is one of my favorite albums so I think it's not as bad as some may think. And maybe you're saying: "I didn't like Final Fantasy IV: Celtic Moon so I won't like this one". Well I think Creid is way better than Celtic Moon. And I almost forgot, Maire Breatnach (who worked on Celtic Moon) also helped Mitsuda and "Millenial Fair". But enough suppositions, let's start the review.
Melkaba
Presentiment is the theme arranged in this track. The track starts mysteriously with a nice trio. The harp, guitar and piano create a peaceful ambiance. Then the bagpipe (I think...) comes in and gives it a medieval style. Just like in those Irish legends songs...you know...like Sean McIntire or the Brian Boru's March. I guess the most of you don't know what the heck I'm talking about. That's okay... After that, the drum and the electric guitar enters followed by the chorists. Wow! A really great track. You really have to listen to this. The BEST track of the CD.
Two Wings
I'm not a fan of Japanese original version songs. The English version of Two Wings is better but still it doesn't mean it’s bad. It's way better than the rather deceiving Suteki Da Ne. It's a nice song that will haunt your spirit. Believe me...again it has a celtic style.
Balto
A nice flute solo begins the track. A really soothing melody but a bit sad. This is the first time I like a flute solo. Usually I hate the flute (sorry for all the flutists out there). Then the tempo changes into something similar to Scars of Time (Chrono Cross) This track will make you move....or at least make you beat the tempo with your feet, hand or whatever... This is great celtic music.
Creid
Creid means "Believe" in celtic. This track is just like Enya music. If you like that kind of music this is the track for you. Though maybe the most boring of the album, the track is just beautiful.
Dajil
Well, I never thought I would find an arabic-rock track on this CD. Really surprised I was when I heard this track. I have no more to say about this track...
Stars of Light
Mmmhh....this track sound just like a kid's song. I don't like it too much...in fact I don't like it at all...just not my style...but maybe it's yours...
June Mermaid
Easily compared to the beautiful theme of Elia from FF3 (the Japanese version) this track is rather sad but beautiful. Oh yes...sounds like music of a love story...
Spring Lullaby
Nother track with vocals...this one isn't too good if you compare it to Two Wings. Again, this track is in Japanese...if only I could understand Japanese...but finally, the track is not too bad...
Lahan
This is exactly the kind of track I was looking for: happy, dancy and celtic. If you don't dance on this track then consult a doctor...really... This is one of the tracks where everybody dances in couple. Nice work on this one...
Mebius
The last but not the best. Another track with lyrics...sung in Japanese. I was expecting the last track to be the best. I guess we can't always have what we expect. But believe me it's not as bad as Stars of Light.
Overall
If Mitsuda failed to make a good OST with Tsugunai, he can be proud of what he achieved on CREID, Xenogears, Chrono Cross, Chrono Trigger and (the best of all) Xenosaga (for which I'll write a review soon). If you like Celtic music, listen to CREID and you won't regret it. You can find this album for 27.95$ at AnimeNation. And maybe less if you use the 8% discount given by RPGN... Oh yeah, I almost forgot the "who are they" question...well...erm...people who know me...well know that I'm weird and that I ask a lot of nonsense questions...so don't bother finding an answer to this one...
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| Album Information | Reviewer Rank |
|---|---|
|
Xenogears: Creid Published by: DigiCube Release Date: April 22nd 1998 Composed by: Yasunori Mitsuda Arranged by: Yasunori Mitsuda, KALTA, Tetsuko Honma, Eimear Quinn 1 Disc, 10 Tracks Catalog: SSCX-10018 |
88 |
Reviewed by: Mithrandir
The Great Mitsuda they say...is he that great? And who are they exactly? So many questions needing answers...
I never played Xenogears. Not because I think the game sucks but because I never saw it in stores. And of course, I'll buy the game to play sooner or later. For my next review I wanted to try something different than a simple OST (original soundtrack). So I wanted an arranged album but not only an orchestral CD. So I decided to listen to Xenogears: Creid. Mitsuda is well-known for his work in many games. Those include Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, Xenogears, Tsugunai and Xenosaga. And he's also well-known for the celtic style of his compositions. And Creid is purely celtic...well...mostly celtic. And is it good you ask? Oh boy yes...
I'm not really a fan of Celtic music but I must admit I enjoy listening to it sometimes...like at the local Irish pub...
I know what you're thinking..."Mitsuda's work on The Brink of Time was not good and this time it won't". Let's just give him a chance okay. And well, The Brink of Time is one of my favorite albums so I think it's not as bad as some may think. And maybe you're saying: "I didn't like Final Fantasy IV: Celtic Moon so I won't like this one". Well I think Creid is way better than Celtic Moon. And I almost forgot, Maire Breatnach (who worked on Celtic Moon) also helped Mitsuda and "Millenial Fair". But enough suppositions, let's start the review.Melkaba
Presentiment is the theme arranged in this track. The track starts mysteriously with a nice trio. The harp, guitar and piano create a peaceful ambiance. Then the bagpipe (I think...) comes in and gives it a medieval style. Just like in those Irish legends songs...you know...like Sean McIntire or the Brian Boru's March. I guess the most of you don't know what the heck I'm talking about. That's okay... After that, the drum and the electric guitar enters followed by the chorists. Wow! A really great track. You really have to listen to this. The BEST track of the CD.
Two Wings
I'm not a fan of Japanese original version songs. The English version of Two Wings is better but still it doesn't mean it’s bad. It's way better than the rather deceiving Suteki Da Ne. It's a nice song that will haunt your spirit. Believe me...again it has a celtic style.
Balto
A nice flute solo begins the track. A really soothing melody but a bit sad. This is the first time I like a flute solo. Usually I hate the flute (sorry for all the flutists out there). Then the tempo changes into something similar to Scars of Time (Chrono Cross) This track will make you move....or at least make you beat the tempo with your feet, hand or whatever... This is great celtic music.
Creid
Creid means "Believe" in celtic. This track is just like Enya music. If you like that kind of music this is the track for you. Though maybe the most boring of the album, the track is just beautiful.
Dajil
Well, I never thought I would find an arabic-rock track on this CD. Really surprised I was when I heard this track. I have no more to say about this track...
Stars of Light
Mmmhh....this track sound just like a kid's song. I don't like it too much...in fact I don't like it at all...just not my style...but maybe it's yours...
June Mermaid
Easily compared to the beautiful theme of Elia from FF3 (the Japanese version) this track is rather sad but beautiful. Oh yes...sounds like music of a love story...
Spring Lullaby
Nother track with vocals...this one isn't too good if you compare it to Two Wings. Again, this track is in Japanese...if only I could understand Japanese...but finally, the track is not too bad...
Lahan
This is exactly the kind of track I was looking for: happy, dancy and celtic. If you don't dance on this track then consult a doctor...really... This is one of the tracks where everybody dances in couple. Nice work on this one...
Mebius
The last but not the best. Another track with lyrics...sung in Japanese. I was expecting the last track to be the best. I guess we can't always have what we expect. But believe me it's not as bad as Stars of Light.
Overall
If Mitsuda failed to make a good OST with Tsugunai, he can be proud of what he achieved on CREID, Xenogears, Chrono Cross, Chrono Trigger and (the best of all) Xenosaga (for which I'll write a review soon). If you like Celtic music, listen to CREID and you won't regret it. You can find this album for 27.95$ at AnimeNation. And maybe less if you use the 8% discount given by RPGN... Oh yeah, I almost forgot the "who are they" question...well...erm...people who know me...well know that I'm weird and that I ask a lot of nonsense questions...so don't bother finding an answer to this one...
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