[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.