Available from: TOKYOPOP.COM

Approximate Running Time: 70 minutes (across 17 tracks)

Composed and Arranged by:

Nobuo Uematsu, Junya Nakano, Masashi Hamauzu

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Final Fantasy X Soundtrack

When a game series reaches the big “X” it must be doing something right.  If gamers keep coming back, time and again, there must be some attraction to the subject matter.  I can only think of a small handful of games where music is the main attraction, but Final Fantasy X (FFX) is not among them.  Which is not to say the music isn’t good, it’s just not the main reason people buy the game (no matter how integral it’s made to the experience).  Enter the FFX Soundtrack, a mix of tunes from the game – “Uematsu’s Best Selection” – which should satiate your need to listen to the music away from your PS2.

The disc opens with a track titled “Zanarkand”, a soft piano piece that would be right at home played at a New Age aromatherapy enema clinic.  “Relaxing” is a good description, which is in sharp contrast to the following track titled “Otherworld” that’s an ode to heavy metal or grunge rock that’s like a slap upside the head after dozing off listening to Zanarkand.

The majority of the tracks are understated dreamy pieces that seem to be influenced heavily by the Capcom games from the SNES. (I’m sure people out there will disagree with me.)  There are a few vocal pieces too.

Setting up a playlist properly means you can be asleep in no time.  Listening straight through the disc is good for those long evenings doing homework or analyzing information for work (especially tracks like Run!! and Fight With Seymour that for some reason make you feel like a secret agent copying top secret info rather than some peon in a big corporate monster).  It’s suitable background filler, but there are a few tracks in particular you’ll want to pump up.

Tracks range from 2 – 6 minutes in length and the sound quality is very good.  Whether playing the disc on a PC or a dedicated CD player, the tunes always come across unsullied with popping or hissing or any kind of washout.  Some of the tracks do start very quietly – avoid turning the volume up unless you’re ready for one or two unexpected crescendos.

While it might not snag mainstream attention, FFX is a good companion for fans of the game (I hear there are one or two out there) and those that appreciate video game music (and how far it’s come over the years while still remaining true to its roots).

- Omni