Best Yasunori Mitsuda Pieces?

Just wondering what are your favorite compositions from Yasunori Mitsuda. Sorry if I'm being a little specific, but I'm only concerned about pieces he's written at the moment.

So what are your favorites? Title and game they're from if you can.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

"Flight" and "Awakening" from Xenogears are two Mitsuda compositions that I really love. Each is a polar opposite of the other. "Flight" is energetic and lively, while "Awakening" is dark and somber. Despite their differences, each are incredible in their own way.

"Guardia Millenial Fair" from Chrono Trigger, "Dreamwatch of Time" from Chrono Cross, "Battle With the Devil" from Tsugunai and "Rhythm of Red" from Sailing to the World are a couple other pieces I enjoy as well.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I really enjoy 'Balto' from the Xenogears CREID album. The whole Celtic style has always appealed to me though. The first track from 'The Brink of Time' [I think the track was actually called Chrono Trigger] is another of my favourites.

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

Can't believe no one's mentioned Chrono Cross ~ Time's Scar, I'd say that's Mitsuda at the top of his game, but there are oh so many other good candidates. In keeping with the Chrono Theme, how about Magus' theme from CT, no evil character theme since has held a candle to it imo, and just imagine how it would sound if they'd made it today. I'd give Chrono Corridor a plug but I think my name does enough of that already.

Addition: After flipping through the CC OST I can't help but add another plug for another one of my favorites, "Jellyfish Sea," this had got to be the most truly "underwater" song in any rpg to date, period.

How ya doing, buddy?

I deleted some posts that didn't elaborate on the selected track(s). Listing nothing but song titles is not discussion. Welcome to Gamingforce.

Also, Kabukibear, next time you start a thread like this, it would be best if you provided a post of your own about the topic at hand. In this case, it would be to talk about your own favorite track(s).

I was speaking idiomatically.

Ah sorry, well I didn't want to influence the list with any of my picks. The purpose of this is to gather people's favorites as I am putting together some single run guitar arrangement books for Mitsuda pieces. I already have quite a few done but I was hoping to find some more gems I had missed. There are really too many for me to mention, hence the reason I started this project in the first place.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

That post actually made me think of some of Mitsuda's great work on the Shadow Hearts series. "Twilight Street"/"Town of Twilight" from Shadow Hearts II actually uses a type of acoustic guitar (I think) as its main instrument, and is an excellent song in its own right.

What kind of guitar are you going for anyway? Acoustic, electric, other? Are fast-paced songs doable?

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Kaleb.G

That post actually made me think of some of Mitsuda's great work on the Shadow Hearts series. "Twilight Street"/"Town of Twilight" from Shadow Hearts II actually uses a type of acoustic guitar (I think) as its main instrument, and is an excellent song in its own right.

Ah, dude! I absolutely LOVE the version of that song that's on the "near death experience" arrange album. So flowingly melodic and relaxing in the beginning... like an ethereal peace just floating all around you. And then it picks up with a more upbeat joyful melody... and falls back again into contemplativeness... Yummay.

Oh, and hello again Kaleb. Been a while. ;D

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

"Tears of the Stars, Hearts of the People" from Xenogears by far is my favorite work from Mitsuda. You can feel the intense, yet sad, emotions portrayed in the game from that song. It is truly moving.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Woohoo, if these are anything like your Eternity (and other) guitar arrangement consider me a huge fan!

Here are my picks, along with CD-track# if available

Chrono Cross
Home Anri/Another Anri (1-03, 1-08)
Home Guldove/Another Guldove (1-18, 2-06)
Dream of a Border Shore (1-07)
Time's Scar/Lost Fragments (1-01, 1-10)
Radical Dreamers (3-05)

Chrono Trigger
600 A.D (Wind Scene)
Main Theme

Xenogears
Small of Two Pieces
Bonds of Sea and Fire (1-03, check out JigginJonT's "Live from the Yggdrasil" arrangement)
Shevat (2-05)

And there are plenty of others, but some of them don't have a real theme to them (Light from the Netherworld, Last Battle from Xenosaga, etc). I love the Chrono Cross soundtrack, and play from the DoReMi piano whenever I can.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I like a few of the more stylistic arrangements by Mitsuda, including the following:

Deep Labyrinth - Shou and Alf's Theme
very simple and elegant, it's almost like a town theme except not exactly a town

Legaia Duel Saga - Advancing to Far Away Places
also a very peaceful theme that seems to represent the essence of Mitsuda

Rogue Galaxy Premium Arrange - THEME OF ROGUE GALAXY
I think theres a few more celtic additions into this song, but to me it truly sounds somewhat Mediterranean. The guitar with the wind instrument solo is particularly striking compared to other songs.

near death experience - Astaroth - 8 minute note mix
It's a perfect tune in a completely abnormal time signature. The oriental piece definitely still includes the very mystifying enjoyable feel of Mitsuda that i'm looking for.

near death experience - Twilight Street - Ambient Remix
I think this really represents the beauty of ambient music. It's an easy-listening piece that truly brings up a lot of different feelings and emotions, like a stray road in the middle of a fall path, or something to that extent.

Hopeful Weeds 2 - Primitive Heart
It's a shame that this is such a rare track. It's by far one of my most favorite from Mitsuda... the African voices combined with the drums and celtic instruments form one of my favorite melodies. The song continues to build and is definitely awesome.

Sailing to the World - Point of no Return
It's the other side of Mitsuda, dark and gothic with a very deep and enticing melody. I think the beauty of Mitsuda is using such crazy instruments to create such a nice piece.

Sailing to the World - Rhythm of Red
I think part of the reason I like this song so much is because of my speakers. The background percussion is so nicely done and combines to make the perfect clicking sounds at the right moments. Besides that, the theme is also deeply soothing.

All of the non-vocal songs in kiRite - what can I say, the CD is supposed to provoke an image, and Mitsuda's really good at doing it.

Now, I have to say, I'm personally excluding the very known Mitsuda albums (CC, XG, XG Creid, XS, CT, ai cinniuint) because almost all Mitsuda songs are done extremely well. These are just a few to name =)

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

Wow, thanks for all the responses guys. This is a big help!

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

Originally Posted by Kaleb.G

I deleted some posts that didn't elaborate on the selected track(s). Listing nothing but song titles is not discussion. Welcome to Gamingforce.

My post shouldn't have been deleted. I was only answering his question about a Mitsuda track that someone else mentioned. In any event, I might as well participate in this thing.

Chrono Trigger - Chrono Trigger - Certainly the most memorable theme Mitsuda has come up with.

Battle with Magus - Chrono Trigger - Still Mitsuda's best battle theme. It has an intensity and darkness that has long since been absent from his repetoire.

Time Circuits/Corridors of Time - Chrono Trigger - The ever catchy Kingdom of Zeal/post-Lavos 12000 BC theme. Has a mystical and peaceful quality about it.

Spark Shot - Gun Hazard - Sounds like it could be a battle theme for Chrono Trigger's future world. Cool stuff.

Trial Zone - Gun Hazard - Really good track. The latter half incorporates Uematsu's Gun Hazard theme.

Dancing the Tokage - Chrono Cross - Rhythm and beat. Feel like dancing.

Death Volcano - Chrono Cross - I've always liked this one. It's mysterious and effective.

Frozen Flame - Radical Dreamers/Chrono Cross - Another mysterious kind of track I've always liked. It's somber in a way.

Astaroth - Shadow Hearts Covenant - Crazy battle theme. The pacing is a bit weird as per post-Chrono Trigger Mitsuda and it has some weird voice samples, but I like it for whatever reason.

Light from the Netherworld - Xenogears - Maybe Mitsuda's best single track. Incorporates the Deus and Small Two of Pieces themes into one mind-blowing intro track.

Tams, The Man of the Sea - Xenogears - Very fun and it does a great job of capturing a piratey feel.

Grahf, Emperor of Darkness - Xenogears - Another wonderfully dark and menacing track in the vein of Magus but with more a militaristic beat and pace. *insert quote about receiving seed of destruction or something*

Forest of the Black Moon - Xenogears - Like some other tracks in Xenogears (which by the way has my favorite Mitsuda soundtrack), this one seems to have an ambient quality about it. It stays interesting throughout.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by arch_slayer

All of the non-vocal songs in kiRite - what can I say, the CD is supposed to provoke an image, and Mitsuda's really good at doing it.

I think the vocal tracks are also very good. I'm not being stereo-type, because when I listened to this album, I didn't know it is composed by Mitsuda.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I like his Xenogears' unreleased song called World to be born.
This track was supposed to be released for Xenogears II but as you know, he ended up not doing the project.

FELIPE NO

Woah that track was suppose to be for Xenosaga 2?

Alas... Not that Xenosaga 2 didnt have good music of course.

Most of my faves are from the Chrono Cross OST, and man I hope the arrange album gets out ASAP.

Most amazing jew boots

What SeRaPH mentions is literally Xenogears 2, which as many people know Square didn't allow the Xenogears team to develop because it failed to sell a million copy.

Anyway my fav piece is "Unstolen Jewel" from XG which has been translated in many ways.

EDIT:Thank to a certain guy, I noticed "World to be born" is released in the reprinted Xenosaga Episode I OST.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

If it's correct at all, Legaia 2: Duel Saga's "God of the Evil Ones" is of a worthy mention.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Taisai

What SeRaPH mentions is literally Xenogears 2, which as many people know Square didn't allow the Xenogears team to develop because it failed to sell a million copy.

Anyway my fav piece is "Unstolen Jewel" from XG which has been translated in many ways.

EDIT:Thank to a certain guy, I noticed "World to be born" is released in the reprinted Xenosaga Episode I OST.

Uh, I thought World to be Born was composed WAY after Xenogears, and it was composed for Xenosaga, and probably for Ep 2? NOT Xenogears?

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

Even after so many years of listening to it "Star-Stealing Girl" from Chrono Cross still gives me such a good feeling. Its easily one of my favorite songs from Mitsuda.

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

well my favs are flight and two wings, from xenogears.
time's scar, time of dreamwatch, and another world from chrono cross
its been so long since i heard all the chrono cross soundtrack, i think ill listen to it as soon as i get home.

I was speaking idiomatically.

You can find some cool pics of Yasunori Mitsuda here. You can see that he enjoys his time in Australia!

I went to the Melbourne performance of Passion, and his guitar skills are simply astounding. I urge anyone in Australia to go to the Sydney performance. Hopefully the upcoming Passion CD will be excellent too.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

No mentions of Magic Pengel 2 OST at all? (箱の庭)

Personally, I absolutely love the soundtrack and consider it one of Mitsuda's best. It's very light playful music, but it's also some pretty complex stuff. It's not anything like say Mario Party, which you'd draw analogies to right away considering they're both "kids games". But with this, there's a huge variety of styles covered and some really cool small-ensemble pieces that I think are Mitsuda's strong point (though he certainly does amazing orchestral stuff too).

If you just download single tracks (though I recommend the whole thing), my favourites include:

- Scribblings
- Thoroughly Prepared
- Hill on Which the Windmills Can be Seen
- Gallery of Ice and Flame
- Scorching Flow
- Cactus
- Sand Tower
- Wagon Tracks
- Forest of Illusion
- Awaking from Sleep
- Final Decisive Battle

(See? Told you I liked this OST... that's nearly half of it.)

FELIPE NO

If there is one that will always stay with me is "Time Scar" from Chrono Cross. That piece could lure anyone into that game.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Mitsuda is fucking musak. His tracks for Shadow Hearts II are some of the weakest compositions on the soundtrack (and this is from a man who once loved "Twilight Street").

That being said, there's a couple of good tracks in Chrono Trigger. The main theme, the work orchestrated in OGC5, is pretty good, and probably my favorite of his.

Jam it back in, in the dark.