Xenosaga Episode III

I'm also quite concerned about the "Best Tracks" label and the implications of missing music. If not for the hard work of game rippers, we wouldn't have been able to enjoy Hosoe's contributions to Episode II.

One problem I have with Episode II at the moment is the rather contrasting styles of Kajiura and Hosoe. Both are good at what they do but there's not a tremendous amount of synergy, which is a waste. Could have been the different aspects of the game music they were working with but still... You could very easily tell that two very different people worked on the music. So perhaps with Kajiura working alone this time, the music might be more cohesive. That and Kajiura's music can be pretty thematic. It'd be interesting to hear what Kajiura has up her sleeves this time because I don't think I've heard her do any proper in-game music for towns, dungeons and such like. However, there's always the inevitable question of whether Episode III can match up with her phenomenal work on the hack//SIGN anime where Episode II fell a bit short...

On the flip-side, Hosoe did some very good dungeon themes so that will be missed. His battle themes weren't too shabby either. I wasn't exactly fond of some of his town themes. By themselves, they are alright but when taken together with the rest of Episode II's music, they can be quite awkward and out of place.

Jam it back in, in the dark.