Final Fantasy VII Rebirth did THIS better than all JRPGs
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- Опубліковано 2 кві 2024
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"How Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Levels Up JRPGs"
A Video Essay
Written, directed and produced by Diwa de Leon
Once in a while, I get so inspired to create videos after playing a beloved game. I hope you enjoy my deep dive into the music of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and also a bit of a closer look into the history of JRPGs and its musical legacy.
Join me as I explore how I believe Final Fantasy VII Rebirth has revolutionized the JRPG genre by tackling a longstanding dilemma brought on by a lesser known aspect of game development: music implementation.
Music has always been a crucial element of the Japanese role playing game gaming experience, however, traditional music implementation methods often resulted in abrupt transitions that disrupted the flow of gameplay for some. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth breaks this mold with its seamless integration of exploration and battle themes, offering a truly immersive experience for players.
Watch @MaxMonado's video about Xenoblade 3's wasted potential in music:
• Xenoblade 3: How to WA...
Thanks to piefluff for the Fire Emblem footages.
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#FinalFantasyVIIRebirth #MusicalAnalysis #VideoEssay #VideoGameMusic #VGM - Ігри
One thing many people misses too is that every region mixes up the music a little bit for each Intel tower you activate. It adds instruments etc the longer you play the region. That is a very unique way of making sure the music doesn't get too repeated too.
You're right! Good observation.
I noticed this during my Gongaga exploration when I realize there are more instruments/elements in the music the more I explored, but I thought I hallucinated it LOL
@@aibhe yes, it's so unique you don't even think it's true at first. 😂
@HolyJonte It's magic, it's what it is. The music team are magicians.
That explains why I got so tired of some themes later in the game… I stopped engaging in the exploration as I tried to sprint through the last few chapters 😅
That song that plays when you follow the dog is the best!!!
Bow wow wow Bow wow wow
It's adorable.
I've clocked so many hours into this game I've almost forgotten about this mission. Gosh this game is massive
So that's what the voice is saying. That's awesome
Make all the FF7 Rebirth videos you would like, please. I have over 160 hours in this game and I can't get enough of it.
184hrs here! Without spoiling anything for others, hint what part you love most. I adore Queen's Blood. I would like a standalone game.
@@StringPlayerGamerOfficial I Loved the protorelic quest chain the most gave diverse gameplay plus cool story tidbits along the way
@@StringPlayerGamerOfficial Queen's blood is amazing! I really like how each character's combat is different, and you have to learn how to use them properly in combat.
190 hours in. Still having a great time.
@@handsomeDRAC 172 hours in. trying to get that plat trophy 🏆
Others have called this a *Dynamic Soundtrack* where player interaction dictates whats being heard in uninterpretable background music; and Remake/Rebirth isn't the only game doing something like this.
Check out gameplay for Gianna Sisters Twisted Owl, where the same music seamlessly transitions to a different style of the same song depending on which character you're playing as.
Same thing can be spotted in Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword in the Bazaar, where the same theme plays in the background, but what merchant stall you're standing near has its own style.
To go back on the JRPG tangent, Skies of Arcadia did this back in the day, too, with its main airship map, and boss fights (it'd change depending on health percentages--a main theme when everyone's about equal, one for when you're losing/in danger, and one when you're winning)
Thank you for making this video. So many people don't even acknowledge or notice this, and as a musician, it hurts my soul. Also, there's not only two tracks. There's 4 versions of each region theme. The first with no world intel, the second with most of the world intel completed in that region. The inbetween version that connects the field and battle version and then the battle version. In Grasslands, you can clearly hear the inbetween version that transitions the field into the battle version and vice-versa. It's crazy.
Will definitely talk about that on the next Rebirth video.
@@StringPlayerGamerOfficialAwesome. This is 100% the first game that went as far as having 4 versions. Games like Fire Emblem did it earlier with 2 tracks, but none other game ever straight up had 4 versions to transition inbetween each other. That's just crazy and requires genius implementation & composition skills. Inbetween transition version is the craziest one for me, because it's barely heard.
@@PetarBladeStrokthat’s so cool, the more you know - I had no idea it was the first to go that far! I absolutely love soundtrack mixing like that. Most recently I noticed it in the splatoon dlc, I really loved the music blending in it….
Honestly, I would LOVE an analysis of some splatoon music from the string player gamer! Maybe it has too many vocals for his channel but still, thought I’d throw it out there!
This is so bizarre! My wife and I were just playing Cosmo Canyon a few minutes ago, and marveling at how good the audio mixing was transitioning from battle to exploration.
Then we turned on UA-cam and here is a brand new video from you on exactly that! 🤯
This mirrored our thoughts exactly and we LOVE Final Fantasy music!
From long time fans who love your stuff, keep being awesome, Diwa! ❤
No way! That's awesome!
Glad you acknowledged how Fire Emblem did it earlier (FE12/Awakening in 2012 is the earliest that I'm sure of). Given how SE are gradually learning from PlatinumGames, it isn't a shock that FF7's remake trilogy is doing so.
I will say that I don't mind having just one track shared between combat/exploration or a smash cut on occasion for a significant shift but the implementation needs to hit in the right way with us ideally being able to enjoy an entire track at least once per normal playthrough.
Breath of the Wild did it as well with music switching between the interior and exterior of Hyrule castle.
Rebirth certainly took this implementation strategy and maximized its potential though
It used to do this in FF14's 1.0 version, which was developed and released in 2010/2011 - I was trying to find an article that talked about it that I remember reading, but it used the same dual tracks running in parallel, and when you entered battle it would fade one out, and the correct theme in. Obviously it's been expertly refined now, and masterfully shown in FF7 Rebirth.
I really enjoyed the multiple versions of the Chocobo theme they implemented. I think it helped immersion there too, due to area, what you're doing and type of chocobo being used!
Absolutely! So. Much. Chocobo music! I love it!
I like both ways of doing music, the traditional way and the Rebirth way. But Rebirth's is more satisfying. The one thing I miss though, is victory fanfares.
I would definitely watch a Rebirth video about all the music. One of the best soundtracks I've ever heard in gaming and one of the most varied soundtracks.
Victory fanfare now brought to you by Barret, Yuffie and Cait.
You can still hear the traditional victory fanfare in virtual battles though, and some boss fights.
I don't know how many hours I spent just running around the Gongaga region just to listen to the music. Cosmo Canyon was my favorite from the OG, but the one in Gongaga just hits different for me.
Awesome! Gongaga's music is refreshing for the franchise.
I'm glad the music is relaxing cuz that region is infuriating
@@ybyby3rddayman the music got infuriating for me after awhile too lol
The first time I noticed this trick was way back in Jak II. I was hooked on those types of music since then.
Nobuo Uematsu is a video game music genius, I really enjoyed the seamless transitions as well, , you really don't notice it a lot unless you pay specific attention. Why I like playing games several times over, you never know the little things you miss.
honestly it continues to astonish me how *fluid* it is when it switches themes like that.
And hearing both versions of Mythril Mines' both themes cemented it as one of my favorites.
Honestly, also: Want more of the Rebirth's style of doing this. Let it flow! Be fluid!
YESSSS!
The way the Grasslands battle theme has a variation closer in key to the original main theme that it snaps to pretty much exclusively at the end to make the transition back to traversal as smooth as possible…
The seamless transition between exploration and battle music is just like what I first noticed years ago in NieR Automata.
I remember in particular the Amusement park area, that when entering the area, the BGM starts out very thin and simple, almost like a music box. When you get further in to where parades and other activities are happening, more orchestral layers fade in seamlessly, and fade out again if you go back to the outskirts. For batlles that happen passing through the area, the percussion becomes more pronounced, the heavier beat emphasizing rigidity of the fight. Also, battles can transition between physical fights and hacking of opponents - the soundtrack switches over to 8-bit renditions without skipping a beat, and back to the usual arrangement after hacking is over. The continuity is fantastic!
I played NieR before FF7 Remake and now Rebirth, and while NieR's music blew me away, FF7 hasn't impressed me in quite the same way. But everything in context; I presumed the FF7 music to be rooted in melodies established in 1997. They're more constrained in what they can build on the original structures of the classic BGM than a clean slate like NieR. But to think of the music in the context of how gaming was in 1997, it's aged remarkably well.
Well, constraint or make the most of it. Music you know off or brand new to you. And how to deliver it with you have some knowledge of it before hand. When you heard a mass up of multiple music into one for certain purposes, you would understand more the music of remake and rebirth. How the music tries to make you feel the present of Sep thru out and he is toying with you, not you caught him out too. 🫠
I had an impression that was what you could be talking about because while funny enough, Remake may have done that, it's something that immediatly popped in my head while exploring the world or Rebirth, and love to hear impressions of people like yourself that are more knowledgeable with this stuff.
Of course would love to see some more examples in depth, I am guessing that on the OST list these tracks and their "Battle edit" are also the same length for a smoother match
One interesting thing about the battle version of the Grasslands theme also seems to mix in some bars from the original FF7 battle theme. What a great way to call back to the original while also showing off what can be done with the new system.
I mean, X-Men: Legends 1 & 2 did something similar by having alternate instrument tracks for battle and non-battle music that switches immediately. Muramasa: The Demon Blade also does something similar with Non-battle and battle tracks for each region that picks up right where the current track left off when battle begins and ends. This is hardly new, but it is implemented a bit more smoothly.
Unless this was a history video, it's never about who did it first. It's about who did it better. Remember MySpace? Yeah
Edit: Btw I just checked X-Men Legends 1 and 2 gameplay footages, it's not even the same. It's two different compositions that just happens to fade in fade out smoothly, but it's not like how Rebirth did it where it's actually the same musical compositions with different arrangements, that also happens to fade in fade out smoothly. There you go.
Just discovered this channel, and I have to say great work! FF7Rebirth’s music and variation reminds me of how Mick Gordon did the doom music. It changes to the actions of the player and varies depending on how well you’re doing, what guns you’re using, what enemies are present etc. It’s truly a work of art that it all flows together so well. Keep up the awesome work!
Welcome aboard! I too have noticed that when I played Doom, but I think what makes Rebirth more memorable is the emphasis on a solid melodic line that encompasses all of the compositions. While Doom's is a bit more just about the riffs and the rhythms, and not necessarily melody, and that's usually much more challenging to become memorable for listeners.
Pokémon GSC Surf Theme is one such beautiful piece of music I played as a child but only appreciated it when I heard the full version as an adult because of the damn Tentacools.
No One Lives Forever 2 (2002, FPS spy game) has something similar to this. Each level of the game has its own theme music and those theme musics have three versions: calm (walking around with no enemy in sight, sneaking around), danger (someone noticed you), battle. Depending on what happens the calm music transitions into the other two and when the coast is clear again the music transitions back to the calm music.
It's a shame that since it's a spy game, experiencing the dynamic music means you're playing the game badly. So if you play the game very well, you never ever hear the dynamic music. Therefore it defeats the purpose of that feature.
Unlike an RPG like Rebirth where you need to be fighting battles head on. That means the dynamic music is built-in with the gameplay experience and is meant to happen.
@@StringPlayerGamerOfficial 'experiencing the dynamic music means you're playing the game badly' Hmmm..... That IS a good point I didn't consider 😅
I can't say I've ever noticed that issue myself, but it's kind of neat to hear the exploration and battle music switch around like that.
Awesome video! I was another one of those JRPG players who stopped playing the game for awhile just so the music could finish before I reached the next battle. This is a super creative solution!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Absolutely love the ff7 remake/rebirth music implementation, extremely fantastic! The natural progression from this was done many years back with the SSX series (with different elements of the track being added and taken away depending on how well you were doing. That was so far ahead of its time, I'm yet to see another game catch up even 20+ years later. Maybe FF7 R Part 3 will push the envelope once again (there's even going to be a snowboarding section early in the game ~ That may be the perfect time to introduce it!)
Thank you so much for sharing your analyses! I've been a silent follower of you for a while, and I just love your videos - analyses, breakdowns, ratings, whatever they may be. You've introduced me to many awesome OSTs of game's I've never played too :) It would be amazing to watch that Rebirth genre analysis if you do decide to make it. No pressure of course, I look forward to whatever you do next, especially FF. Keep it up!
Glad you like them!
9:23 Yes. Absolutely yes. Fantastically yes. All of the ways you can say yes.
I love this video! I noticed this in remake at the very first mako reactor, it went into the mako reactor battle theme when I hit the first battle in there and i was amazed!! The music in remake was 10/10 but holy cow rebirth blew me away!!!! Please please please make as many ffvii videos as you want, like others here, I also cannot get enough!!!!
Wooohooo! Yes!
Great video man! Came here from my buddy RealityRipple’s Chrono Trigger stream. Genius idea and I agree it would be cool to see this utilized more
Welcome aboard!
Rebirth might be the best game I’ve ever played and I’ve been playing games since the early-mid 90’s
I have the first few bars of the FF9 battle song jammed into my brain forever because it takes so long to get to the playable part of the fight
I love it when games have dynamic soundtracks! Most recently I noticed this with the splatoon 3 DLC soundtrack, with musical elements fading in and out from things as simple as location, dynamic effects on the audio, and the music changing with boss fight phases. Which made me think, dang I’d love to hear you react to or discuss splatoon music 👀
Huh, I had noticed this but thank you so much for explaining it, and yeah, it feels right and a LOT of games could learn from this.
After finishing the Yuffie DLC / INTERmission the other night, I will be giving an 8.0 final score to Final Fantasy VII Remake after initially giving it a 7.8. It made the “good” category. As someone said on Gamefaqs, it’s very much a hallway simulator with FF7 skins and the cutscenes makes it a B- anime. And an 8.0 or 80% is considered a B-. The game still has tons of hallways with constant sounds from foot steps.
The DLC helped improve the game for me at least in story and character depth. First off, Yuffie is quite fun to use. All I need to do is throw and I’ll get back items from breaking boxes. She was always quite fun to use even in the OG because Conformer hits at 9999, she’s fun to steal with, her Doom of the Living kicks ass, and she had the quickest ATB. Her immaturity and arrogance gave her some funny lines.
Where the DLC got me was THAT ending. You know what it is if you beaten it. It comes out of nowhere. I won’t spoil it here even though early birds for this game saw it three years ago, but it’s probably the most emotional scene I’ve seen so far in this game and where I actually cared. It felt like a gut punch. This also gave Yuffie a scene where I can actually care about her and perhaps see her grow into a better character later down the line.
Initially back in 1997, I couldn’t stand Yuffie. I was still pissed she stole my Materia. It wasn’t until my second complete playthrough back in 2002 was when she started to grow on me. I remember having this acquaintance in high school tell me Yuffie was great to use in battle. I scoffed at it telling her I still can’t stand her. But as time went on and I used her more, that person was correct.
With INTERmission being set around the main story’s Chapter 8 right after Cloud fell into church and before Tifa was willing to see Don Corneo by attempting to be a bride candidate, it gives Yuffie a lot more depth with her motives. In this game, Tifa and Yuffie are probably the most fun to use in battle for me. Yuffie fights like a hawk and is great against flying enemies.
I initially kept getting destroyed by Ramuh but once I figured out that spamming the Y button does the job, use Windstorm, dodge roll, and heal, it became an easy fight that I didn’t need Sonon. Initially, I kept getting killed by random enemies since I didn’t know Yuffie’s skillset yet. But once I figured it all out, I rarely died during the later boss fights. Same case with the main story. Fights got easier later on.
FF7 Remake does have a few laugh out loud moments. They take some inspiration from Shenmue. Some of the voice actors can make their character sound really cheesy and corny. Like Johnny and Roche talk like they came right out of a Shenmue game. And I LOL’d at one of Corneo’s lackeys with the mohawk when he was alluding to Tifa and said: “Goods under the hood, junk in the trunk, and down for a bumpy ride.” 🤣
Since seeing that additional footage with Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith, and Red XIII, I need to get Crisis Core Reunion on my Steam Deck. I have the OG on my PSP, Vita, and Deck. But I want the one with the upgraded graphics. I’ve only played the OG Crisis Core on my Galaxy Z Flip 3 for about an hour or so which I did quite enjoy from the limited time I played it. I want to know more about Zack. CC might explain better why Cloud can be so moody.
Forget Michael Jordan, Steam Deck is the G.O.A.T. 😁 And forget Steph Curry, Steam Deck is the most influential in my life. I haven’t gamed this much in a long time and it brought me back like Jesus resurrecting Lazarus. I will take a couple days break from gaming. Maybe play some NBA Jam (arcade) version and some other retro games before I start my next game to beat which is Uncharted 4. Perhaps catch up on a few movies I haven’t seen in the theater yet.
OG FF7 Character Rankings
1. Cloud
2. Sephiroth
3. Cid
4. Tifa
5. Yuffie
6. Barret
7. Red XIII (my fav in the 1st playthrough)
8. Aeris
9. Vincent
10. Cait Sith
FF7 Remake Character Rankings (so far)
1. Tifa
2. Yuffie
3. Jessie
4. Cloud
5. Aerith
6. Barret
7. *Sonon*
8. Biggs
9. Sephiroth
10. Reno
Based on their birth years, I’m closest to age with Reno. Among the main cast, it’s Sephiroth if he’s aged between 27-30 in 2007. Among the heroes, it’s between Cid (1975) and Aerith (1985). Closer to Aerith since my birthday is in Dec of 1980 like Barret while Aerith’s birthday is in Feb.
So Japan thinks Aerith in FF7R is too ugly? I think she looks better than how she did in Advent Children. Now her death in the OG did make me very sad but she’s actually not all that useful in it when it comes to battles. She’s a white mage but you can turn anyone into a healer with Materia.
Great Gospel is awesome but it’s not required after Disc 2 considering your party can handle anybody with KOTR, final limit breaks, and hero drinks. I enjoy Aerith but she’s never been my fav to use in fights. Her death was necessary to unleash Lifestream to heal the planet from the Meteor. And she gets to be with her first love, Zack, again…
I guess Square is becoming WOKE too like Disney. Improving the female characters in FF7 but making the male characters a little worse. The entire scene with Cloud dressed up as girl in Chapter 9 and him dancing was Square Enix’s moment to support the LGBT community. Then the DLC turns around and shows us more cleavage from Scarlet.
I don’t mind this because I think the Remake did a great job improving Tifa and Yuffie who were both already cool from the OG during a time when none of us cared if they were male or female. If the Rebirth sequel has us choose a final 3 party like the OG for a final fight vs. Seph, my final 3 will be Cloud, Tifa, and Yuffie. I still need to see how the remakes improve Red XIII, Cait Sith, Cid, and Vincent.
I love reading all the comments about the original Final Fantasy VII and how people are showing this game to their kids and them loving it too. It’s such a legendary game with an unforgettable cast, battle system, and music. In my opinion, it’s the greatest game EXPERIENCE ever. I will forget most of the characters from Uncharted, Metal Gear Solid, and God of War, but I never will for Final Fantasy VII. It has a greater *lore* than those franchises.
this method may be a few steps above in imersion, but that also means that we get less variety of entiarly different music pieces. while we get a remix of the theme of the area, we don't realy have a uniqe battle theme. and also no victory theme.
Metal Gear Solid 2 started doing it for the different alert phases (alert - evasion - caution) that changed dynamically white keeping track into each other. It was awesome. But when returning to normal phase, it was just the current level song playing, it didnt really blend. There were 2 main alert themes with their own subtracks, one for the tanker and one for the big shell.
Wow. This is great stuff. I don't think I've ever noticed the old way compared to the new way / rebirth way (pardon the pun) till now. But it makes all the sense in the world know that I see it in video format. Gives me another reason to get rebirth soon. However, it takes a PS5 and that takes savings😂
You just explained why this music despite it sounding incredible obviously is still sticking in my head XD. What a genius way of implementing the music,
and then you mention it happening in Fire emblem and im like so thats why the music sticks with me in that aswell XD
Typing my comments as I watch / Listen to this video.
One of my biggest pain points for a game is if the field track resets after an encounter. If it happens, I notice really quickly and it bothers me, forever.
That dynamic music shift from exploration to combat is so incredible. I noticed it immediately and was practically shouting "Oh my god, listen to that! It's perfect! I can't believe how perfect and seamless this is!" My wife did not notice what I was talking about so I muted everything but the music and turned it up and showed her what I meant. And she too thought it was so cool and what a powerful impact it has on the player / listener.
For rebirth my only complaint is the lack of party jargon. It's really disappointing to hear Barret say "Didja see me in action!?" only for no one to reply.
Though my biggest frustration with audio/ sound designers in gaming and movies is how they routinely fail to balance soundtrack vs speaker audio
I definitely prefer this new way of implementing music in games, it certainly feels more dynamic and is such an eargasm experience. I first noticed this when I was first playing Fire Emblem Three Houses, and I don't know if you play Genshin Impact or at least have heard the music, but the first time I experienced this (in the same way music is implemented in Rebirth with the open world) was actually in Genshin Impact two years ago. At that time, they released a new map called The Chasm, and in one specific area of The Chasm, I noticed that the exploration music (which is calmer and softer) switches into its more intense battle version once you engage in a battle. I thought it was a genius way of implementing music in video games and it always got me so excited. I was so happy when I played Rebirth and experienced the same thing.
Glad you think so! I do play Genshin Impact but I've barely scratched the surface. I've been playing it very casually, only at World Level 4 atm. I haven't seen The Chasm yet, but now I will.
@@StringPlayerGamerOfficial It can be an immense game, I understand it can be overwhelming but I hope you'll have fun!! The music implementation I was referring to appears somewhere at the end of The Chasm and to get there you'll have to go through certain world quests, so it may require a bit of patience. Good luck! 😁
Yep they also really started to do that in the Mako reactor in FF7 Remake chapter 1. It was glorious.
What the hell, I had subscribed to you ages ago, but I can see now it says I have been unsubscribed, haven’t seen your videos in so long. Glad you are still uploading, nice to see you again. UA-cam algorithms stink
Welcome back!
You should try reacting to Nikke: Goddess of Victory soundtrack, Cosmograph is the creator of most ost and it SLAPS.
(Many songs are just themes for minigames/bgm, so you can just skip them) I suggest you focusing on more popular ones like the entire Overzone event ost (Satellites, Goddess of Victory, save us, 6d696e, etc.), Splinter (literally a selection screen theme), Nihillister theme, Kraken theme, Land eater theme, We're never giving up, Kill the lord, The moving fortress, The collector, etc.
You won't be disappointed :)
This was a seriously awesome video. Made me feel like I was taking music theory again lol. Would love to see a video of you going thru the different arrangements of the same songs. Keep it up!!
Thank you!
I remember final fantasy 13-2 did something similar with the battle theme switching to an arranged version of the areas theme and it worked beautifully.
I played XIII and both direct sequels, yes they did but only in small select areas. I wished they pushed the envelope further then, but I'm glad they finally went all in with Rebirth.
It's a shame that the conversation about FFXIII at that time was overshadowed by "hallway simulator" memes.
@@StringPlayerGamerOfficial yeah Rebirth perfected this formula in every area. The transition between the main area and battle themes were flawless and amazing on the ears. I do like the 13 trilogy despite the memes haha. I really enjoyed your video bro ✌🏾
I agree. I love the way this music was done here with its seamless transition of battle / field version.
Ever played NieR Automata? They did this similar implementation as well. It has an amazing soundtrack also.
I have played Nier Automata, but they didn't really take advantage of the feature much. They used it very sparingly and thus forgettable.
Plus a lot of times they completely removed the background music, so the contrast between the two is even less obvious.
Wow, this is such a cool topic! (And amazing video btw) ❤
I honestly never thought about it, but maybe i could implement this in my own tracks ;)
9:25 -Ohh that sounds like wonderful idea!
Go for it!
It’s cool that you put Tifa and Yuffie in the thumbnail because they happen to be my favs in these remakes. Yuffie always had a funny persona in the OG and Tifa was always well balanced with strength and compassion. And nice Tifa figure in the back. She’s been my MVP in Remake.
In the OG, Sephiroth or Cloud pretty much dominated the popularity polls. Seph was probably cooler while Cloud was so powerful in the OG. Omnislash was more powerful than KOTR. In the remakes, they decided to tone down Cloud a bit because he was clearly statistically stronger than everyone else in the OG.
While I didn’t love Remake as much because it was only in Midgar, I believe I will enjoy Rebirth a lot more since Disc 2 from the OG was by far my favorite of the three discs. Way more things to do and see. We couldn’t even control Red XIII in Remake.
I would love to play Rebirth but I’m going to wait two years until it comes on Steam. I have no plans buying a PS5 and hooking it up to a TV since I work as a driver and I’m rarely home. I like all my games to be available for a handheld.
ULTRAKILL has the same system. When out of combat, the calm version of a song plays and when entering combat the versions are swapped for the combat one, where the calm ver was interrupted.
Such an astute observation. I knew FF7 Remake and Rebirth was excellent and the music and everything flowed well somehow but couldn't put my finger upon it until you brought it up. Your video really helped me appreciate these games and the work put into the game and music a thousand fold!
Couldn't agree more!
I don't know anything about audio design but this is something that I definitely noticed when I noticed when I played through Remake and Rebirth and I thought it was a perfect evolution of FF's music!
I am currently playing Dragon Quest II for the first time (Switch version) and the random encounters rate is ridiculously big compared to other old RPGs I've played. That's why I do like you SPG and once I enter a new place, I stay still to hear the whole tune and then I proceed walking.
This is an idea that I first saw implemented to some extent in Spore. In that game, the soundtrack would subtly change with each major decision you make in the game, slowly evolving what is essentially a single song throughout your entire playthrough. Now they did a better job advertising the feature than implementing it, but the idea was there.
Thems fightin herds has great dynamic music. Every combat has more than 9 tracks olaying st the same time, the stage theme, and, in the background, the stage theme but with the characters instruments sbd style. So, when a particular character starts winning, the music switches the instruments to welcome musically that character
This makes so much sense, but it's sooo cool.
This was a fun watch, great commentary!
Glad you enjoyed it!
What a beautiful, amazingly in depth video. Loved this so much
Glad you enjoyed it!
Another game that does this is not an RPG, but a fighting game called Them's Fightin' Herds. It does quite a lot with dynamic music in general, which is especially apparent in the character select screen and versus matches, but its story mode is super interesting in how it's set up like a pixelated top down RPG. The music of certain areas like dungeons has two or three different versions that it smoothly transitions to depending on whether there are enemies on screen and when you go into a fight or platforming minigame. Its story mode was unfortunately left unfinished thanks to a crappy publisher who fired all of the original developers before they could finish it, but the dynamic music in the game is so interesting and the music itself is fantastic all around.
Incredible! I didnt noticed because you get soo immersed on the game but now that we know… AMAZING!
I know, right?
Please make that dedicated video to the many genres featured in Rebirth.
I haven't had a chance to play rebirth since I am on PC, but I also Noticed this on Remake and its awesome. This is something they have done good and looking forward to the next two chapters.
You're in for a marvelous treat!
I hope to see your review of this game's version of One Winged Angel. I would like to see you talk about all the music. I know you don't do requests, but I would also like to see you do a comparison between all the different Jenova songs. Love the videos!
I already have plans for this game's One Winged Angel version, but will save that for later. Especially since my friends are still playing the game.
@@StringPlayerGamerOfficial awesome! I kind of figured. I have always appreciated video games music and feel it is an integral part to the experience. Probably the most important when it comes to invoking an emotional response. I feel like your videos have helped me view the music in a different light.
What did you think of the Mount Corel battle music? It felt a little bit too much like a rave party.
Yeah it's definitely not one of the dynamic ones. Definitely feels like secondary choices, something that will be thrown in a gameplay area that would only be visited once. Sounds cool stand alone though, very '80s synthwave.
Certainly, Remake's and Rebirth's approach to music increases the immersion, but not all engines allow for this type of implementation. As you mention, the most common way to do this is to have both tracks playing at the same time, one muted, the other not and just make a transition between both when battles happen. However, not all engines will allow this, in some instances, if you want to implement this, you will have to sort of "cheat" the engine into doing this...programmatically speaking. Also, depending on budget, you might not have the possibility, just for Rebirth there are 400 tracks, that's a lot, and the version you get on OSTs usually is not the version used for the games. A track in the ost might be 4 different tracks on the actual game.
Overall, I would say that both have it's advantages and disadvantages, it will all depend on time and resources.
If there is a will, there is a way.
First game to ever do this that i know of was Unreal, except it went unnoticed. The first Deus Ex was the first game to do it that I know of, that had rpg elements, and dynamically changed based on what you were doing. It stood out because of how quiet the game can be due to stealth versus exploration versus combat, but the melody was always maintained to a degree, it never felt like it missed a beat. It was more like a shift in adrenaline. It wasnt perfect, as game over was jarring, and it was easy to game over.
It's a shame the series remains underrated, I played Human Revolution and Mankind Divided and enjoyed it a lot, but that was also many years ago. Too bad they canceled the franchise now.
@@StringPlayerGamerOfficial There was promise starting to form, but after the original title it had a decline largely related to console-ification. That said if you liked those, you Must play the original PC title. There are easy mods for upgrading the graphics. Mankind is the closest Square’s backed team ever got to just what the original was. You could take the game so many ways, from any style. Right down to literally going through the game with nothing but a candy bar.
I agree. I really like this style of music implementation in games. I hope they implement it in kingdom hearts going forward.
something I'm gonna start stating as an example of music implementation done wrong is:
Xenoblade Chronicles 1's Visions Reacts.
The issue is, with an OST with a lot of good, long, and enjoyable soundtracks, all of them potentially getting cut off by a short loop song is...
*not great.* It feels like a song that should have kicked in for visions, then leave until next time. Temporary interrupts to signal you need to focus.
Visions of the Future partially fix this problem, but it's lowkey a bandaid. Making the problem track better helps the sound track, but it does not help the inherent flaw of the implementation. Even a long song can get tedious fast when it prevents you from listening to anything else.
*Just ask XC3's Chain Attack Theme.*
You have to listen to the soundtrack of Guacamelee super Turbo Championship edition
Please try "To the Future" in "Sen no Kiseki IV"!!!!!!! You will definitly love it 😍😍😍😍
If you like Megalovanias then listen to Mondaymania.
It's an OST from Bad Monday Simulator by LumpyTouch.
I think you'll like it man.
Looking forward to seeing you react to it, if you even see this comment haha.
I will say, Rebirth does suffer from bad implementation in moods sometimes. For instance, after completing a few more somber ending quests, you do get sudden jumpscares by the cheerful "mission complete!" Notification. That or Chadley's annoying sudden "CLOUD!" in somber situations.
I Do remember yuffie being jumpscared by Chadley in one mission, lol
Chadley is the biggest flaw of Rebirth.
Very minor spoiler I guess, but I want to bring up that this doesn’t happen in some dungeons, in particular I just played through the first section of the temple of the ancients and every time you begin battle the theme begins from the beginning. The explore theme continues though. Ive seen streamers miss out on hearing the full incredible thing.
I think the way 3 Houses does it is great. Two variations of the same theme that seamlessly switch.
I didn't say that it happens in all dungeons. I think by the time the Temple was being worked on, devs were probably rushing to finish the game. Maybe.
So they're using the Fire Emblem approach, but for a 3D open area game.
10:55
@@StringPlayerGamerOfficial I typed this literally right before I got to that part of the video haha
120+hrs and it's my favourite game in over 2 decades. Up there with FF10 and KH2 for me❤
Amazing! Which parts did you enjoy the most?
@@StringPlayerGamerOfficial Everything❤️ As a huge FF fan, I grinned from ear to ear😊
Right. The story telling package of FF7 Rebirth is by far the best among games i ever played, the graphic, the voice actor, facial expresion, the dialogues, many characters' development and most importantly the musics tone are very spots on.
Gameplay is arguably still great, but the immersion experience are on another level.
Have you ever played and listened to how Animal Crossing does music? I think you'd find it pretty cool and worthy of a video too. The Nintendo DS one specifically, unsure if the Nintendo switch one worked the same way.
I've played all. Starting from Population Growing. And yes, the timely music alone has a lot of interesting aspects to it. When Animal Crossing hype is back, maybe i'll consider it.
Other games of this magnitude, aside from Elden Ring, made you really want to skip all of the side contents. This game made you REALLY want to explore and do all of the side quest and mini game even though the best reward required some.....execution. LOL
bro, listen to Pyke's theme (from lol), it's very good and I think you'll like it
Soon. We'll exhaust all LOL songs.
6:50 babybabybabybaby
The music on this game is marvelous
Yes, make the video as described.
So... nobody is going to mention Resonance of fate/ end of eternity doing the same thing? Where there is Track A and Track B , I mean in this case is different ofc cause its only applied to some areas where you can only fight buuuuuuut they also use this method and i would say they do it really good! just saying check those tracks too! they re amazing!
Because being first doesn't mean being best. This ain't a history video essay.
@@StringPlayerGamerOfficial you re indeed right!! I ve just mention it cause the method they both used! and thanks for answering!
the more Rebirth music videos the better to me
Duly noted
Phantasy star online 2 was the first game I played where the bosses had Dynamic music that would intensify as the battle goes on, this for me was a game changer for games when music became dynamic and interactive to the experience in a deeper way eg:ua-cam.com/video/hWc4JFqeTjc/v-deo.html
The crazy thing FF13-2 Started this whole wave with regular song then paradox song that will play when your in battle I believe. but FF7 mastered it
I would love that a TES-Like rpg would implement music in this way!
YES! That would redeem Bethesda for me if done in TES6 lol
@@StringPlayerGamerOfficial I have my hopes on those that compete with Bethesda. I know a guy, with right amount of time, finances and most importantly the right team, would create the best Western RPG.
I just hope he would consider it. He was the lead writer of a Skyrim Overhaul mod that had the best main quest I've played.
Enderal: Forgotten Stories.
He's at the moment a fantasy writer.
Nicolas Lietzau and his debut novel is called "Dreams of the Dying".
There is both a digital, a physical and an audiobook version.
Could you make a review of lethal weapon snes soundtrack?
The Fire Emblem series also made this transition in the music, but before Rebirth but yes it is really something special but this principle was not invented with it ^^ Edit Okay, you already explained it later in the video, sorry I should have watched the entire video first before I write anything about it😂
Duh. 10:55
Hear hear!
Could you react to heat haze shadow from tekken 7🔥🔥
Will you review Hi-Fi Rush music?
I don't do "reviews".
i like you videos and i saw the one you did for left 4 dead and i was hoping you can do the one for Left 4 dead 2 i like the music in that game and hope if you do video on it you do to thank you
It breaks my heart that nobody gives X-Men Legends any love for doing this exact thing in its music 20 years ago 😮💨
It's not about first, it's about best. MySpace was first, remember?
I suppose, I guess I just really want people to even remember that game at all. Feels like it gets skipped over a lot for what was a pretty fun X-Men RPG back in the day. And they totally did that seamless transition from ambient to combat just like rebirth does now. Even as a kid I remember being impressed that they made 2 versions of the same song for every level so the music always flowed with the pace of gameplay. Glad to see that method come back in the new final fantasy.
@@thespectacularspider-bi1787 So that's what this is all about instead.
Working on 100%...
Noice!
Please do a feature on the Gongaga region theme. The music sounds like it has elements of Southeast Asian instruments mixed with other elements but since I’m not a musician I’m not competent to make this conclusion 😅
I actually found Remake's soundtrack overall better and more memorable for me, and I'm not really sure why that is. Not to say Rebirth is bad, Remake just had more moments and areas that made me go wow music wise and I love music in games. Music is often what sets apart my favorite games from games that I simply enjoyed. Rebirth actually disappointed me in a number of areas and I'm still trying to really understand why. I did like most of the regional themes though I found Cosmo Canyon's to be pretty underwhelming when here I was hoping for some awesome mix of the Cosmo Canyon song which we got in the town but I wish the wider area had gotten a mix of it.
I noticed this too, but I probably wouldn't have if I hadn't been for how jarring the music cuts off in other JRPGs
I will take all of the FF7 Rebirth videos you are willing to put out. It could take years to get through all of the god tier music in this game.
Gladly!
It's funny how you're discussing a concept of music implementation that was already explored in depth in Monkey Island 2
I LOVE the Monkey Island series, one of the earliest PC games I ever played.
Too bad Monkey Island 2 didn't make much of a cultural impact compared to JRPGs or even Final Fantasy VII alone, otherwise someone else would have made a video like this already. Also Monkey Island 2 is the least popular of the series, my best one is still Monkey Island 3 and 4.
All everyone remembers from 2 is the meme-fied ending.
And yes, I played and ENJOYED all Monkey Island games, they're super underrated and needs more attention. But being first in something doesn't make it automatically impactful, revolutionary, or memorable. Remember Facebook vs MySpace? Yeah.
yes more please 🤣
React a space for the unbound please