A Piece That Does Only Beautiful Things from Suikoden II

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  • Опубліковано 5 жов 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 134

  • @nineplusten
    @nineplusten Рік тому +216

    The composer is Miki Higashino (8-bit doesn't mention her in the video). She is retired from composing at this point but Suikoden and Suikoden II are her masterpieces.

    • @Titantitan001
      @Titantitan001 Рік тому +5

      Great games too, did you know the old makers are making a new game? Idk who is doing the music though but so far it reminds me of 1/2

    • @SusieUndertale
      @SusieUndertale Рік тому +2

      @@Titantitan001 Eiyuden Chronicle!

    • @bryal7811
      @bryal7811 Рік тому +3

      Just like to add that a lot of the music from Suikoden 1 was also composed of a few other artists. Hiroshi Tamawari in particular is very interesting. He went on to compose for Vandal Hearts 1&2 (Incredible soundtracks that are highly underrated!) before changing to opera. The change was influenced by his lack of desire to compose "combat" music, something video games required in spades!

    • @dynatwenty
      @dynatwenty Рік тому +1

      @@bryal7811 hey brother, you look the same as me

    • @GentleGiantAudio
      @GentleGiantAudio 7 місяців тому +1

      I love her music

  • @looney1023
    @looney1023 Рік тому +46

    Suikoden's composer, Miki Higashino, is VERY underrated. Suikoden, particularly 1 and 2, have extroardinary OSTs. Off the top of my head, Confrontation with Monsters is a battle theme predominantly in 7/4 that makes great use of quartal harmony, the octatonic scale, and the whole tone scale. Gregminster is an awesome piece in Eb Mixolydian that feels very old fashioned and folksy but totally modern and catchy as hell. The Neclord theme is incredibly Baroque inspired for Gothic vampire effect. And the Suikoden 2 battle theme (I think it's called The Will?) has some CRAZY chords in it and a unique progression.

  • @julian_whiteway
    @julian_whiteway Рік тому +58

    HOLY HOT DAMN YES IT'S ABOUT TIME WE START TO SEE SOME MORE SUIKODEN LOVE
    Miki Higashino is the composer for Suikoden and Suikoden II (as well as other Konami classics in her 15 year stint there, such as Gradius and TMNT) and deserves all the love in the world for her amazing work.
    She had a really unique approach to writing music for this series which made Suikoden's soundscape so distinct from other JRPGs like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest at the time, by assigning different musical influences to different regions of the map (Celtic, Spanish, Japanese, Middle Eastern, etc.), which seriously upped the immersion for me of an adventure across a vast land. Suikoden II was also notably one of the largest OSTs in the genre at the time, with 105 tracks in total, and Higashino worked on 98 of those!
    Absolute Wonder Woman of a composer.

    • @bigballedlegend5592
      @bigballedlegend5592 Рік тому +2

      i love that not only does suikoden II have so much music tracks for its time, it also has a buttload of unique characters, sprites and animations. there were so many animations that happen only like once or twice in the entire game and they were always really expressive too
      the entire creative team behind this game put so much of their heart into it, suikoden is such a gem and im glad i got to experience it

    • @julian_whiteway
      @julian_whiteway Рік тому

      @@bigballedlegend5592 glad you mentioned those, the animations and sprites in Suikoden II are absolutely fantastic! The shadows in the forest and Riou bending down to pick up some rope are the ones that leave me with my jaw dropped. Super easy to overlook, but clearly took so much time and effort - and it definitely paid off!

  • @E1235
    @E1235 Рік тому +211

    Since you somehow made it through the entire video without mentioning the composer, I'll do it for you: Miki Higashino, who sadly left the industry way too soon.

    • @myboatforacar
      @myboatforacar Рік тому +6

      I should check out the soundtrack for 10,000 bullets. Collaboration between her and Yasunori Mitsuda? Yes please.

    • @raredoodah6649
      @raredoodah6649 Рік тому +20

      The composer should always be mentioned it's really strange how it's sometimes omitted in videos like this

    • @StewNWT
      @StewNWT Рік тому +6

      She is a goddess. The original Suikoden has one of the best OSTies of all time

    • @TheForeignGamer
      @TheForeignGamer Рік тому +10

      ​@@raredoodah6649 It's extra strange because normally he's really good about it, but then you get the odd video like this where it's bizarrely left out of the script.

    • @ElRegulus
      @ElRegulus Рік тому +1

      ​@@myboatforacar Just so you know, it's a departure from their usual styles. That doesn't make it bad, but it wasn't really what I was expecting, lol.

  • @Orchestructive
    @Orchestructive Рік тому +18

    Honestly, probably one of the most important videos you've ever done. Excellent work! As composers we get lost in the "interesting" and fail to notice the "practical" all too often.

  • @veilder2332
    @veilder2332 Рік тому +49

    AH!! SUIKODEN!!!! DUDE, THIS IS MY FAVORITE GAME OF ALL TIME!!! AND I LOVE THIS PIECE! It was the first song I ever learned for the piano. Omg, I'm so glad you went over this song!!

    • @Strideo1
      @Strideo1 Рік тому +2

      Suikoden II was the best RPG to come out on the PlayStation

  • @RikyPerdana
    @RikyPerdana Рік тому +9

    3 years ago, I spent most of my savings to buy a piano, spent few hundreds more for basic piano course, and countless hours of practicing basic chords. I did all of them just so I can play this piece. Now I can hear this song played from my own fingers. Does it worth all the money spent and effort sacrificed? YES.

    • @astro_cat030
      @astro_cat030 Рік тому

      nice

    • @Petu1987
      @Petu1987 6 місяців тому +1

      Upload a video to UA-cam!!! Ill give a like

  • @SaimoodPianoVersions
    @SaimoodPianoVersions Рік тому +21

    I love to play this piece. Whole OST is magic. ❤

    • @arcymzero
      @arcymzero Рік тому

      Same! It always makes me cry when I play this piece TT

  • @TheRealBatabii
    @TheRealBatabii Рік тому +5

    Man I'm dying for that Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars

    • @TheRealBatabii
      @TheRealBatabii Рік тому +1

      I always loved Requiem of Grief, and the ending theme from Suikoden I

  • @chrisSkordPiano
    @chrisSkordPiano Рік тому +7

    THE BEST Channel!!!

  • @cyanCrusader
    @cyanCrusader Рік тому +14

    This is my favorite track from my favorite game, and seeing it get so much love like this makes me so happy. Great work!

  • @bryal7811
    @bryal7811 Рік тому +3

    Mel Choyce is the MVP for suggesting Suikoden! I'd love to see a few of the town tracks from Suikoden 1 analyzed. The music brought such a unique individuality to each and every town you visited. It really sold the multi-cultured setting you travel through in your recruiting campaign against the empire.
    "An Old Irish Song" in particular is incredible, specially considering the context of the piece and the group it represents within game.

  • @fabianthomas7467
    @fabianthomas7467 Рік тому +2

    As a beginner to music theory and composing, videos like this explaining basic techniques are immensely helpful. Putting roman numerals on the chords would make it even more digestable for me

  • @spring_drain18
    @spring_drain18 Рік тому +4

    You know what's funny? I was listening to the original soundtrack of Reminiscence just last night and then I come home and see this in my sub box! This video makes me feel even more excited for the remastered version. Hopefully it releases this year!!

  • @velveteensallet949
    @velveteensallet949 Рік тому +3

    Dude, Suikoden is so underrated. Glad that you're putting a spotlight on the music for the best of it.

  • @jb1980ist
    @jb1980ist Рік тому +4

    One of my faves, always leaves me emotional, especially with game context. Excited for the remaster!

  • @ulfblomqvist6419
    @ulfblomqvist6419 Рік тому +1

    A remarkable sublime piece of music. One can argue though that this track is equivalent to what Bobby Brown is to Zappa. Miki has so much more under the hood. Her attention to detail and orchestration is unrivaled in her era. She is easily my favorite rpg composer, the true goat!

  • @rickyboiiiii
    @rickyboiiiii Рік тому +2

    Suikoden 2 had the most heart warming and heart wrenching music in all of RPGs. Thank you Miki Higashino, for the wonderful music.

  • @PS1Fan1991
    @PS1Fan1991 Рік тому +1

    Suikoden II!!! One of my favourite games of all time getting covered in a video about its music. Reminiscence is one of many beautiful pieces for the OST. The white deer inn has awesome music, Gothic Neclord, the dungeon music, An Old Story amongst others are just pure class from the legendary Miki Higashino. Great analysis!

  • @paradoxenon
    @paradoxenon Рік тому +1

    How much can a piece exhibit the feeling of a beautiful adventure? Suikoden OST says yes!

  • @dafire9634
    @dafire9634 Рік тому

    Damn i didnt expect the change in tone for the "woah" and the loud kiss vocalization from mr 8bit

  • @lazaruscomplexofficial
    @lazaruscomplexofficial Рік тому

    YES YES YES~!!! As a music composer so many video games have been my inspiration for writing music from ambient, electronic, and even metal

  • @rainbowkrampus
    @rainbowkrampus Рік тому +1

    That augmented chord raising up to the 6th is very reminiscent of a half cadence in terms of feel.
    Cool way to set up the turnaround back to 1 with an ascending feel rather than a descending feel.
    Can easily see it used as a launching point for key or section change too.

  • @mmixes
    @mmixes 6 місяців тому

    Year after year hoping for a Suikoden 2 video here! ❤ You're the best!!!

  • @m4r_art
    @m4r_art Рік тому +2

    It's not just Suikoden 2, it's also the greatest female composer on the genre: Miki Higashino.
    People tend to only know Yoko Shimomura in VGM. Higashino san has a great style in terms of how she uses the classical RPG formula and gives it a celtic style. She is like the female counterside to Yasunori Mitsuda in compositional style and they cite similar references. She is not composing anymore unfortunately and Suikoden 2 is her best work. Likely she focused on her family which is very rare in Japan for career people in big companies. Respect to her work.

  • @pedro_a_martins
    @pedro_a_martins Рік тому

    Never played the game, however I stumbled upon this piece on UA-cam at a certain time and fell in love with it. It is trully beautiful! Thank you for doing a breakdown of it! :)

  • @sihplak
    @sihplak Рік тому +3

    Suikoden 4 also has some really great music; it's usually seen as the "low-point" of the series but man they killed it with the music for that game!

    • @SlyHikari03
      @SlyHikari03 Рік тому

      I can say the same for 5.
      5 has a pretty good ost imo.

    • @ElRegulus
      @ElRegulus Рік тому

      I loved Tactics' soundtrack, which recycles a lot of S4 tunes.

  • @DavidScotton
    @DavidScotton 8 місяців тому

    Suikoden II is my favorite game ever and one of my favorite soundtracks. I would love to see more videos on it. Miki Higashino is one of the most underrated composers out there.

  • @Sandersone
    @Sandersone Рік тому

    8-bit, I've been following for a few years now. You've inspired me and taught me so much about music theory (and how little I really know). This has been a personal favourite piece from my favourite game that almost nobody seems to know about. Thanks for covering this one! Lots of love from your Prairie Neighbour!

  • @SlyHikari03
    @SlyHikari03 Рік тому +1

    2 and 5 are my favorite suikoden games soundtrack wise.

  • @Caio-vb7vw
    @Caio-vb7vw Рік тому +2

    one of the first songs i learned for the piano, so good.

  • @GrimBTemplar
    @GrimBTemplar Рік тому +2

    I love watching your videos! It's so nice to hear someone feeling out over the intersection of music and video games! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE it if you did a video on the Area Zero theme of Pokemon Scarlet/Violet and why it does such a good job of being creepy, unsettling, and unnerving. Keep up the great work!

  • @Classic_DionysuS
    @Classic_DionysuS Рік тому

    Suikoden 2 is my second favorite RPG of all time behind Xenogears... I am so EXCITED for the remaster to be released. If you haven't played 1/2... DO IT! Incredible.

  • @Lyy0n
    @Lyy0n Рік тому

    I completely relate to what you were saying about trying too hard about digging for some weird technique for a video. You again have given me more influence for ideas for videos in the future! Thank you!

  • @MrConeman
    @MrConeman Рік тому

    Thank you for making this. I'm currently working through it on the piano, and this video has helped me understand why certain changes and choices in this song *feel* how they feel.
    I'll post the cover some day (to join the rest of my Suikoden covers)
    Miki Higashino is an unsung hero of the video game music industry, and does not get nearly the adoration she deserves.

  • @VieShaphiel
    @VieShaphiel Рік тому +1

    Holding back from using chords that look advanced but work against the piece's goal is vital, but also a difficult thing to master...

  • @ElRegulus
    @ElRegulus Рік тому +1

    So many amazing tracks from S1 and S2. Not to diminish the soundtracks of the other games (Tierkreis? Lovely. Tactics? Criminally underrated), but Higashino has composed some of the most moving and memorable pieces of music I've ever heard.

  • @kingoverseas9052
    @kingoverseas9052 Рік тому +1

    Thank you for doing this beautiful piece justice.

  • @themothreborn
    @themothreborn Рік тому +1

    when they double down on the beautiful cliche at the end, well, u put it best with that "Mwah"

  • @Mikehy.mp3
    @Mikehy.mp3 Рік тому +2

    The. Best. Channel.

  • @ricardodubatti657
    @ricardodubatti657 Рік тому

    So many memories over this game. The music, the history, the gameplay, the characters... Love it.

  • @richardjose8700
    @richardjose8700 Рік тому

    This has made my day and I haven't even watched the video yet.

  • @francisgaliegue6645
    @francisgaliegue6645 Рік тому

    When it comes to beauty in music, and a dose of unexpected, my goto piece is "Ambivalentidea" by Yanagi Nagi.
    Even though this is not from a video game but from an anime, I'd love to see this track covered on this channel!

  • @konjus
    @konjus Рік тому

    This is the first time in 4 years I will not be in Winnipeg for April 18th! That sucks!! I have only been to the rec room in Calgary once and I didn't like it one bit, but I would rush to the rec room to see live videogame music. Especially if it's from you! Thanks for the great music analysis, as always.

  • @schmitzi99
    @schmitzi99 Рік тому

    Some of these progressions and techniques such as moving the third to the base reminds me a lot of Ryuichi Sakamoto's Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence

  • @sneezingwizard
    @sneezingwizard Рік тому +2

    Miki Higashino gone to be a housewife after pouring out her soul for this masterpiece.

  • @zacharywong483
    @zacharywong483 Рік тому

    Absolutely spectacular video, as always! Your analyses and explanations are fantastic!

  • @noper1934
    @noper1934 Рік тому

    Great analysis! Learning what techniques work well should be the first step for every composer!!

  • @Outshinedsg
    @Outshinedsg Рік тому

    I actually did not play Suikoden back in the day but discovered the soundtrack more recently. My favorite from Suikoden 2 is "Days Past". It's a peaceful tune, but also sad and melancholy. In a way, I feel like it reflects my attitude toward vintage JRPGs now. Certain older game and JRPG soundtracks are actually difficult for me to listen to now because they remind me so strongly of happier times, where I was a child and had fewer responsibilities. Hearing them again now is painful because I will never see those days again.

  • @atoseco
    @atoseco Рік тому

    I've been listening to suikoden 1 & 2 ost over these last months. what a beautiful coincidence that this video got recommended :)

  • @mahrze
    @mahrze Рік тому +2

    I wonder how soon till you get around to the amazing opening from Suiko3

  • @zagaraditya890
    @zagaraditya890 Рік тому +1

    This piece actually make me learn how to play piano, thank you Miki higashino

  • @birdlives829
    @birdlives829 Рік тому

    Wow this analysis was so excellent, as ever. Excited to see this game is getting a remaster this year, may pick it up simply from this!

  • @dewanthenmalai4232
    @dewanthenmalai4232 Рік тому +2

    "Being pretty isn't just about doing pretty things, it's also about not doing not pretty things" --8-Bit Music Theory
    Truly the voice of a generation

  • @pasnelsianturi5019
    @pasnelsianturi5019 Рік тому

    Almost never seen someone who talking about music of suikoden and finally i found it ❤

  • @SatsJava
    @SatsJava Рік тому +2

    We deserved suikoden II remake

  • @lopezzy8429
    @lopezzy8429 Рік тому

    FINALLY music theory from Suikoden!!!

  • @silverberg1634
    @silverberg1634 Рік тому +1

    I'm a simple man. I see Suikoden related content, I click

  • @felixlindgren
    @felixlindgren Рік тому

    Hey. So, your videos are the best. I mean really-really, the best. Never stop.

  • @JCfromJohto
    @JCfromJohto Рік тому

    Gothic Necrolord is by far my favourite track. Glad to see Suikoden get recognized

  • @SaiChooMusic
    @SaiChooMusic Рік тому

    Did you mention anything about the stunning vocals? That's what really elevates this piece for me from being a near-generic melancholic tune to something special.

  • @GentleGiantAudio
    @GentleGiantAudio 7 місяців тому

    Beautiful analysis

  • @Turbovolver
    @Turbovolver Рік тому

    We also see the Ab chord finally get its 7th when the song sets up a resolution to Db in the B section.

  • @ianmohlie
    @ianmohlie Рік тому +1

    Please do an episode on how to compose music. I just don’t know where to start. What tools are available? What’s the project pipeline like? Do they usually write multiple songs at once or one at a time? Start with a melody or a chord progression?

  • @FarewellApollo
    @FarewellApollo Рік тому +1

    So glad to hear someone else say that Dominant 7 chords on their own just aren't pretty. Felt like I was crazy for thinking that for a long time. And yeah the m7 chords don't really convey a sense of sadness as powerfully as just a straight minor triad. My guess is probably because there's a hidden major triad in there.

  • @Nick_Reinhardt
    @Nick_Reinhardt Рік тому

    So you threw me off when you talked about the #4 trick, because I was like "what on earth, there's no sharp 4, there's no accidental anywhere." but then when I worked it out on my own I see you meant from the context of the chord and not by the scale.
    But I would actually criticize contextualizing chords and melodies like this, it makes it much more difficult to look at every interval of the chord. I think it would be much much more helpful to describe this as the IV chord with a top melody moving down from the second degree down to the tonic.
    This is the age old debate of which is easier and more accurate to describe a sound, in the context of the chord? or by the context of the scale. and I usually support the scale.
    I would like to add that this movement evokes a relative Lydian sound, which wasn't mentioned.
    But you're right, this is an absolutely beautiful choice and it is 100% going into my bag of tricks.

  • @elijahcrossofficial
    @elijahcrossofficial Рік тому +1

    I was just sitting here at my keyboard composing while jonesing for another one of these.

  • @owlyus
    @owlyus Рік тому +2

    Man I need to play these games. The music kinda gives me James Horner vibes, but I couldn't tell you why

  • @A-Known-Enemy
    @A-Known-Enemy Рік тому

    Would love to hear a break down of some dark cloud/dark cloud 2 music. Idk what it is about Tomohito Nishiura's melodies, but they have always felt simple yet incredibly effective.

  • @ja.consultoria4.0
    @ja.consultoria4.0 Рік тому

    Loved this game at the time. And the music.

  • @ShowWithNoName
    @ShowWithNoName 11 місяців тому

    If this were made in America there would for sure be a Bbm-Gb-Db-Ab progression.

  • @AngryMusicTheoryNerd
    @AngryMusicTheoryNerd Рік тому

    This video is so good! Another good soundtrack to try and analyze is the N64 game Perfect Dark, it's so good

  • @tebby24
    @tebby24 Рік тому +5

    Holy shit I've been loving this soundtrack for the past two years, I listen to it when I do homework all the time!!! Also totally obsessed with the track 'mysterious forest' from suikoden 1 ua-cam.com/video/xh1xz4Rt-Bc/v-deo.html

  • @hamn-z7734
    @hamn-z7734 Рік тому +1

    I'm so fast it didn't even load the comment box

  • @AnInnocuousBlueCube
    @AnInnocuousBlueCube Рік тому

    Great, now I'm going to be singing the Suikoden I soundtrack all damn day. I hope you're happy... because I sure as hell am! Gregminster theme slaps. Gambling music slaps. Let's goooooooo.

  • @ArdaRen
    @ArdaRen Рік тому

    It’s so simple and elegant. There’s no excess whatsoever…

  • @kizz06
    @kizz06 Рік тому

    Suikoden II is always my best JRPG games of all time.

  • @myboatforacar
    @myboatforacar Рік тому

    I used to play the piano part of this between college classes. Good times

  • @Triggered6277
    @Triggered6277 Рік тому +1

    Part 3 of asking if you could go over the music in chicory: a colorful tale

  • @stevenjones8575
    @stevenjones8575 Рік тому

    This is the nicest, most polite "the song you guys like is pretty generic" I've ever seen, lol

  • @supplespecimen725
    @supplespecimen725 Рік тому

    11:07 WHAT? IMPOSSIBLE! Nothing happens here!

  • @raynefaded
    @raynefaded Рік тому +1

    Line cliches aren’t just moving up or down a scale - they can be/include chromatic notes.

  • @UnfamiliarPlace
    @UnfamiliarPlace Рік тому

    9:06 Can also be heard in some themes from Breath of the Wild

  • @nanamikado999
    @nanamikado999 Рік тому

    YES FINALLY AN EPISODE ON SUIKODEN II !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @bribes_for_nouns
    @bribes_for_nouns Рік тому

    I'd do anything to play Suikoden II because I've heard so many amazing things about it (I've only beat Suikoden III and Suikoden V and they were both amazing.) I've heard Suikoden II is in the league of RPGs like Xenogears, FF7, etc. so the fact I haven't experienced it yet due to its rarity is one of my life's greatest tragedies. (lol jk)
    Xenogears is still my favorite RPG of all time.

  • @Dragoonoar
    @Dragoonoar Рік тому

    can you analyze suikoden's touching theme next? that piece has got me stumped

  • @FlorissMusic
    @FlorissMusic Рік тому

    very cool!!

  • @Jer_Roque
    @Jer_Roque Рік тому

    All hail Miki Higashino, the greatest video game music composer whose first name isn't "Yasunori".

  • @james_subosits
    @james_subosits Рік тому

    I feel like the chord at 8:00 functions more as a C∅7/Gb. It resolves down to Dbmaj7/F

  • @schtoltehaimreinbachiv434
    @schtoltehaimreinbachiv434 Рік тому

    My favorite game ever

  • @hectyboi
    @hectyboi Рік тому

    Do you plan on covering the new Zelda music that came with the new Trailer??

  • @AoiShibata
    @AoiShibata Рік тому

    Waiting for something by Kajiura Yuki

  • @rychu6101
    @rychu6101 Рік тому

    Never seen this game before, the sprites are so tall...

    • @BeingADik_Jacob
      @BeingADik_Jacob 11 місяців тому

      1 of the best jrpgs created and I'm not just saying that as a fanboy

  • @ultimate0verlordmasterclas553

    nice

  • @Titantitan001
    @Titantitan001 Рік тому

    My childhood man

  • @MTheoOA
    @MTheoOA Рік тому

    Man, anyone can talk about the Mad Luca piece? Honestly?

  • @mimisaiko
    @mimisaiko Рік тому

    I like you being goofy😂

  • @Teabonesteak
    @Teabonesteak Рік тому

    What a great game.

  • @lazykbys
    @lazykbys Рік тому +1

    As a Japanese gamer, my brain keeps glitching every time this game isn't called Gensou Suikoden 2 ... but that's just me being weird.

  • @astro_cat030
    @astro_cat030 Рік тому

    1:51 Bar 2 is missing a Db in /Ab at the top?