RPG Battle Systems/Battle Music

Battle systems:

1. Grandia - Traditional with a real-time feel
2. Valkyrie Profile - Combos are fun
3. Fallout - Love the tactical approach

Battle music:

1. Vagrant Story - Golem, Wyvern, Iron Crab, Minotauros, etc...
2. Valkyrie Profile - Lots of high energy stuff courtesy of Sakuraba
3. Final Fantasy VI - Epic themes capped off by the immortal Dancing Mad

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Looking at zzeroparticle's lists, I should mention that I didn't count SRPGs. I didn't think they were being considered for this topic. (plus they would make coming up with a top three list even more difficult) On the same note, I might've considered Legend of Mana (it IS one of my all-time favorite games), but the action RPG aspect made me discount it as well.

FFTactics would be a battle system contender. It'd be a contender for the battle music spots as well, though it definitely wouldn't beat Vagrant Story for me, as Vagrant Story's battle themes are entirely too fitting. I can imagine the progression of an actual battle with a dragon being something like the way the music in Wyvern develops. From intimidating challenge to heroic conflict to sheer terror.

Originally Posted by zzeroparticle

Legend of Mana - Darkness Nova. I think this speaks enough for itself. I really loved Shimomura's work here, but she executed the boss battle theme flawlessly.

Just wanted to say that Darkness Nova (which is indeed very cool) is the boss theme for Jewel Beasts and other battles that relate to the Jumi branch. Pain The Universe is more the normal boss battle theme.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by GoldfishX

FF6 was good, but every battle theme from FF7 really added to the battles more.

I used to think so too, but over the years FF7's soundtrack including the battle themes has generally gotten weaker for me (only a little weaker, as it's still among my top five FF soundtracks, but I'd pick FF4's soundtrack over it now whereas I wouldn't have before) while FF6's has not. Still, in context and only with regard to the battle themes as a whole, I might still agree, as I haven't played FF7 in a while. The whole Jenova Absolute + Bizzaro Sephy + Safer Sephy was one heck of a musical combo made stronger perhaps by the way the fights themselves were presented. However, in album form, FF6's battle themes seem to be stronger, and they're nearly just as strong in context as well. The battles with Atma Weapon and the Goddess Statues remain some of the most memorable in the series for me largely due to The Fierce Battle. And the greatness of The Decisive Battle certainly can't be denied. Not forgetting Dancing Mad, which as I stated before, simply rocks my socks.

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