final fantasy

A couple weeks ago, I wrote a post about my love for movie soundtracks. In the comments, Joseph Richardson mentioned video game soundtracks, and I realized I had missed an entire genre of awesomeness. Although other games have wonderful soundtracks (and I will want your comments to inform me of specifics!), for me, it’s always about Final Fantasy. (And some Kingdom Hearts, because FF characters are included in the gameplay.) Click on the links to listen to the songs on YouTube.

1. “Main Theme” – Final Fantasy VII

For me, video games begin and end with Final Fantasy VII. So does my taste in video game music. The slightly ominous beginning builds to an epic melody that will, for me, forever be synonymous with exploration and adventure. Check out an orchestral performance of the song here. Continue reading →

My gaming life has always revolved around the Final Fantasy games. I was eight years old when Final Fantasy 7 came out, and my older brother let me watch him play through the whole thing. Occasionally he would play a few minutes without me present, at which point I would become outraged and demand a full accounting of what had happened. I was obsessed, and I still am. I’ve played all the games released since FF7 (except the online player ones–FF11 and FF14), so here is my extremely opinionated ranking of the Final Fantasy games! Warning: SPOILERS AHEAD.

1. Final Fantasy 7
I imprinted on this game like a baby duckling, so there is no way it could stand anywhere but as #1. I think, however, that even with objective standards, FF7 would top most people’s lists. The plot is absolutely phenomenal–I gasped when Aeris died, and I freaked out when Cloud flashbacked to Sephiroth’s destruction of Nibelheim. This game was overloaded with fascinating backstories, believable motivations, and genuinely emotional moments (Dyne and Barrett’s confrontation, OH MY GOSH). I’ve played this one over and over again, and it still manages to catch me off guard with how intensely I love it. Continue reading →