[Album] Eternal Arcadia Original Soundtrack (FMCD-1001)

I just copied this over from like two years ago, since no one commented in it anyway.

AKA Skies of Arcadia on the Dreamcast.




Composed by:
Yutaka Minobe, Tatsuyuki Maeda

I think this soundtrack is worthy to be listed among the very best soundtracks in the videogame music world. However, from what I have seen, the game as well as the soundtrack is underated, which is a surprise considering there is not a single bad track on the album in my utmost opinion. Every track fits extremely well into the game. Also, to point out the soundtrack is very different from any other soundtrack you will ever here.

Some of the tracks that stand out for me are:

1st Disc (33 tracks - 71:10)

Opening Theme - While at first it was not anything special, but as I listened to it more and more it really grew on me.
Main Theme - Beautiful piece of work here. I can still remember whenever I turned the game on, I always listened to this track on the main menu before I loaded up my game.
Blue Pirate's Ship - Every game needs a good world map theme. While this game has many, it is hard to hear this one and not love it to death.
Ruins Dungeon - My second favorite dungeon theme in the game. Starts off slow and then breaks into a faster theme with some good drums in the background.
Battle 1 - Great battle theme that didn't bother me once throughout the many battles in the game. Oh yeah and to point out, I never had any problems with the random battles in this game.
Bombardment - Also the main battle theme, but for ship battles. Sounds great.
Kingdom of Ixa'taki - Very addicting town theme that sounds like no other town theme in any game. One of the best tracks on the soundtrack. There are a ton of different sounds that can be heard that all blend superbly.
Little Jack Nasrad Ixa - Another world map theme on a different ship this time. This theme is brilliant and is a lot better then many of the main themes you will find in other games and not to mention it may not even be the best overworld theme in the game. A strong track in the Best Song Contests here.
Military Facil Dungeon - Best dungeon music in the game. Great piano work comes through for track.

2nd Disc (34 tracks - 71:00)

Delphinus Nasrad Ixa - Third world map theme that comes in late in the game. The feeling you get riding in this airship near the end exploring the skies of Arcadia can't be described. Also, at 2:00 some sort of instrument comes into play that just sounds beautiful.
Eastern Air Pirates - My mind is kind of blank on where this track was in the game. It may have been gilders ship, but nevertheless this track sounds just as good as the other ship themes. However, it is short.
Battle 2 - Boss Battle theme. One of the best boss battle themes ever. Enough said.
Ramirez's Theme - This track I think some will need to grow on, but once you do you will realize what a great piece this is for not only just listening to, but also for a main villian.
Last Battle Opportunity - Final Battle theme that is extremely well done. One of the best final battle songs out. You all heard it in the Best Song Ever contests.
Credits - Great shit at the end. Even better if you played the game. I remember myself getting emotional when I first heard it in game.

All the other tracks I found to out be good just not as good as the ones I listed. Also I would like to point out that there are no vocal songs in the game, but not that that really matters.

Thumbs up to Yutaka Minobe and Takayuki Maeda for one of the best soundtracks to date. What I want to know is why these guys dont compose more often. They composed like a panzer game and shinobi since then and thats it. Anyone got a word?

Overall I would give this album a 5/5 for being completely original, sounding nothing like any album that I have heard before and succeeding in doing it.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

This was a pleasant surprise when I first picked it up; the music is highly melodic and enjoyable on the whole, and doesn't fall into the anonymous, generic category that many games with similar ambitions (i.e. Legend of Dragoon) are prey to.

The music is generally very creative, with a full orchestral sound and the occasional electronic embellishment. The string writing is the real highlight; soaring strings are one of the best ways, musically, to depict flight, and the composers use that to the utmost.

The only real annoyance is that some of the tracks don't loop, and there are a few duds here and there. I'm not to fond of perennial favorite "Kingdom of Ixa'taki," for example.

Still, a very solid and enjoyable effort from relatively obscure composers.
4/5

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by SCOREEEEEEEEE-1

Battle 2 - Boss Battle theme. One of the best boss battle themes ever. Enough said.

Really one of the best.. i'm crazy for this track...

And what about "Ice Dungeon"? (Track 12 disc 2), is some sort of a relaxing new age music... i like it very much

And, of course, Ramirez's Theme... i love it...

"There's the light... and there's the darkness... Sword of The Dark Moon!"

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

One of my favorite RPG soundtracks as well. I got the OST after playing through the game. I have several favorites off here, most of which are already mentioned by Score. Personally, I think "Bombardment 2" (disc 2, track 19) is just as good, if not better, than the first. I love its opening. I too got a little emotional when I first heard the credits theme after beating the game.

The only qualm I can think of off the top of my head, that I have with the OST is that I wish they had "Battle 2" (as well as some other songs) play longer. An awesome battle song like that deserved at least another loop. orion kind of implied that one already, though.

On a side note, "Little Jack Nasrad Ixa" feels perfect for a road trip.

Other favorites include:

"Everyday Life": I love how this one slowly comes into a light but happy tune. Great for waking up on a beautiful morning.

"Boss Battle Crisis": I like the combination of the deep piano and the drum beats.

"Ancient Temple Dungeon": Perhaps just because I'm a fan of ambience, and this one's a good example of that.

"Air Pirate Island": Another tune I find cheerful and catchy.

"Blue Pirates' Theme": The fanfarish nature of this song makes me feel ready to take on the world.

"Great Silver Temple": I really like how those deep strings come in at the beginning. The chords sound nice throughout the song.

EDIT: I forgot one other one.

"Sinking Continent": I just liked the sound of this one. The theme is a sad one, but it lifts a little by the end. Kind of the whole "Much was lost, but it's over now" kind of thing, you know? It paralleled in-game quite well, too.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Skies' soundtrack is one of my favorites as well. Excellent compositions throughout and "Delphinius" is the best airship theme ever. Solid battle themes (interactive too!) and dungeon themes too.

I bought this soundtrack on a whim not having played the game back in 2000. Never listened to it until a little over a year later, when I finished that game on the Gamecube. I'm so glad I went ahead and nabbed it when I had the chance...!

Definitely one of the best RPG soundtracks out there.

I was speaking idiomatically.