I have a new second-favorite video game composer and his name is Hitoshi Sakimoto. Sorry, Nobuo, you’ve been bumped down the list yet again.
Sakimoto is probably best known among gaming aficionados for his work on RPGs that have “tactics” in its name (i.e. Tactics Ogre, Final Fantasy Tactics, etc.). His style is also very distinct, and as a result every track is immediately recognizable. Once you’ve listened to one of his soundtracks, you can never expunge it from your head. And at the same time, they are utterly impossible to hum. The music can be described as brass-heavy, repetitive, and orchestrated. Now, I wouldn’t go as far as to call the music “utterly brilliant.” But there’s a real sheen in his compositions that set him a notch above the competition.
Breath of Fire V: Sakimoto teamed up with my favorite composer, Yasunori Mitsuda, to create a soundtrack that captures the desolate sadness of a post-apocalyptic world, driven underground by dragons and guided by prophecy. The mix of orchestral and industrial music greatly compliments the serious mood of the game.
Vagrant Story: Sakimoto uses medieval-sounding, dungeon tracks to color a game that basically consists of running around a big dungeon in a medieval setting. The ambient nature of the music makes it hard to listen to on CD, but seems strangely appropriate in the context of the game.
Final Fantasy XII: Despite the serious, political story-line, filled with intrigue, betrayal, and war, Sakimoto uses cheerful music to draw attention to the game’s colorful visuals. The music has hints of Middle Eastern and Indo-European influence. Every track features stunning orchestration, from the quiet cinematic moments to grandiose battle and exploration tracks.
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