https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMpzODudeks

THIS is the first SNES Final Fantasy. If you are looking for the real Final Fantasy II (on the NES), go here: https://www.vizzed.com/boards/thread.php?id=90440)

Final Fantasy IV was the first major RPG to make it to the Super Nintendo, released in 1990. Not only did the game have a very good story and graphics for the time – the intro seem uses 3D – but it also marked the return of everyone’s favorite video game composer, Nobuo Uematsu. Thanks to an improved sounded chip with 16 bits he was able to push the soundtrack to new levels. Too bad the soundtrack release seemed to have suffered from budget limitations as only a few tracks are looped twice, and many tracks were missing, as short as they were… Anyway here is my review of this masterpiece.

1 - Prelude

To my ears, this Prelude is the best ever composed. First, the harp sounds very realistic and its echo adds to the magic of the theme (even though it plays a little too quickly). Second, the crescendos and decrescendos are much clearer than on the NES. Finally the loop is greatly prolonged for the best. The flute that plays (albeit a little loudly) adds so much to improve the track – it even follows the harp’s flat and sharp tones.

2- Red Wings

Wow, what a great way to start a game! It starts slowly with strings introduction the Red Wings, Baron’s aerial ships. After the intro the trumpet bursts to reveal the full military theme. The drums in the background help uplifting the military feeling of the track. The end of the loop (where the trumpet bursts before the loop repeats) is also used as the first part of the last dungeon, which was very fitting. And the loop is repeated twice!

3- Kingdom Baron

As militaristic as the Red Wings, obviously. Again, heavy drums help create the proper atmosphere, while the violins and trumpets (which “exchange” places all through the loop) makes the theme sound very fierceful.

4- Theme of Love

FF IV also featured the first coherent love story in and RPG. Despite being so early in the era, the track still has the proper love feeling, but also the hesitation feelings from Cecil when he is still a Dark Knight. That is in the beginning of the loop (with the harp in the background); the second part with the heavy strings shows the love better.

5- Prologue

The famous Final Fantasy theme. You hear it when Cain and Cecil leave Baron on their mission, but also when the people on Earth pray for the health of the team in their battle against Zeromus. In both cases the theme is very appropriate; the introduction sounds much more epic than in Final Fantasy III with the heavy trumpet, while the rest of the theme is played with heavy strings and an occasional cymbal, making everything sound like the start of a very epic mission.

6- Welcome to our Town

The theme inside any “normal” town. It sounds like a more epic version of Hometown Ur in FF III, with heavier flute and strings in the background (and some harp). The notes are very clear and the track sounds very welcoming.

Unreleased: Good Night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuRj_73Jw2Q&list=PLCF7D6444B00D847A&index=29

It was done better than in FF III. Modern arrangements helped making a decrescendo at the end to show that you are sleeping.

7- Main Theme

The main overworld theme. Even have nearly 25 years I still find it sounding so majestic. It is a slower version of the Prologue. The instrument introducing the theme is perfect for that (you also hear it throughout the loop) while the main flute makes for a very soothing and epic theme at the same time. I found the drum beat annoying, but fortunately the violins get heavier in the second half of the loop so we forget about it a little.

8- Fight 1

The classical battle theme is back with a vengeance. It starts with an intro of bass, followed by very joyous trumpets and some strings too. The drum beat is incorporated better than in the Main theme. However, I have to confess that the theme can get annoying especially when you are grinding your level with sumonners – it got to a point for me when the music “resetted” from zero because I fought for so long.

9- Fanfare

Your standard victory fanfare. The trumpet is very clear and triumphant, and the drum beat fits perfectly well. I even think it sounds better than the Final Fantasy V version with its added effects.

Unreleased: Chocobo forest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFCShSa42uE&list=PLCF7D6444B00D847A&index=11

A brief glimpse at the chocobo theme with simply arrangements. It sounds a little childish but it is good overall.

10- Hello, Big Chocobo

When you meet your “portable storage.” Inspired directly from the FF III, but modern arrangements made it even better. The track is dominated with heavy brass to show better the sheer size of that bird. The background percussion all has an interesting sound.

11- Chocobo, Chocobo

Your standard yellow chocobo theme. The background theme gets annoying, but the main track is joyful and a big (!) contrast with the preceding theme.

12- Into The Darkness

Your standard dungeon theme. The violin intro shows it is going to be a dark place; those violins are also very present in the core of the loop. The harp in the background help to add to the mystery of the place.

13- Fight 2

Your standard boss fight. It is introduced like Battle 1, but sounds much darker. The core of the loop features an exchange between strings and brass, while the upbeat drum helps to create the perfect atmosphere for an important fight.

14- Ring of Bomb

What you hear after your “package” opens in Mist. It is heavy and dramatic, the notes are prolonged to create the heavy atmosphere from the game (with strings). Finally the drum adds to the heaviness.

15- Rydia

The little girl you save from Mist. It sounds like the theme of love played backwards. But since it only focuses on Rydia, you only hear the flute and a bit of harp in the background. A very lovely theme.

Unreleased: Joined the Party

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ7Nyjhp4yE&list=PLCF7D6444B00D847A&index=31

It is very brief, but I thought that it made it better than in FF III. The trumpet has just the right volume.

16- Castle Damcyan

The theme of ruins. Like Ring of Bomb, the notes are played slowly; however the feeling here is sadness rather than destruction as such (because of the flute). The strings in the background help making the theme heavier.

17- Cry in Sorrow

The theme you hear during the numerous deaths and sacrifices through the game. I do not like it as such, but the track very sad, like a broken music box (and a sad harp). It should have included the introduction, which would have added to the great feeling of sadness.

18- Melody of Lute

Another direct inspiration from FF III (Lute of Noah). Of course, the arrangements now sound very realistic, and the prolonged loop helps to add to the frailty of Edward, the spoony bard.

19- Mt Ordeals

The mountain theme. As such the theme is good; it sounds like a difficult ordeal (!) and the drums help enforcing that feeling. However, the FF III track carried that feeling of altitude better.

20- Fabul

Self-explanatory. Although the track shows its age it was still a very nice one, very fitting for this kingdom of fighting monks. Its “Oriental” beat was carried very well.

Unreleased: Surprise Theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mxBx2LjZJk&index=50&list=PLCF7D6444B00D847A

A very brief track when something dramatic and unexpected happens. The length is just perfect and the arrangements carry the bad surprise very well.

21- Run

What you hear when you absolutely need to hurry, be it in real time or because you are nearing a precious treasure that is about to get stolen. It is sad that the loop was so short, but at least the drama is carried very well with loud trumpets, strings and constant cymbals in the background.

22- Suspicion

This would have better been called “betrayal” since you hear it when Cain is under Golbez’ spell. The heavy violins sound very sad, as if saying, “Why are you doing this?!” while the background harp add to the sadness of the situation.

23- Golbeza Clad in the Dark

The big bad guy’s theme. It was an excellent use of the “organ”, both for the main and the background tracks. Watch out, Phantom of the Opera, you have serious competition!

24- Hey, Cid

The engineer’s theme. His theme sounds like a joyful military march since he is Baron’s main ship builder. The trumpet is excellent, while the drums add to the military feeling.

25- Mystic Mysidia

To be honest, the theme is completely out of place. Mysidia is supposed to be a place of mystery and magic; rather it sounds like a chocobo stable with the same “xylophone” arrangements.

26- Long Way to Go

You hear this one after, despite having accomplish a difficult mission, you realize that there is still a lot to do. The violin intro (that becomes the background) and the flute in the core translate that feeling of things to come very well with a touch of optimism.

27- Palom & Porom

The comic relief, the student magicians. The theme is childish and light-hearted, perfect for these two annoying brats.

28- The dreadful Fight (Battle with the Four Fiends)

Or as I like to call it, the “major boss fight.” You know, the track you hear when fighting bosses that are harder than usual. Anyway this track was out of this world for the time: the intro starts with a crescendo of low brass and strings, followed by a burst of trumpets and a succession of strings and trumpets. I get goosebumps just thinking about it! And the drum and cymbals just add to the dramatic feel of the theme. I love the end of the loop with the decreasing violins. It still is one of my favorite major boss theme of all time.

Unreleased: Triumph

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KYlT0FH4H0&index=4&list=PLCF7D6444B00D847A

This is a more fitting title since you also hear it after stopping the Giant of Bab-il. Anyway this is one of the best FF fanfares of all time. It starts with some harp, followed by very loud and triumphant trumpets, very fitting for overcoming darkness and saving the planet from the Giant (it takes excerpts from the ending theme).

Unreleased: Serpent Road

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY6qDwxhpFI&list=PLCF7D6444B00D847A&index=48

The tone is very low and mysterious, perfect for that magical road. Wizards in Mysidia say that, to travel it, you need a lot of stamina – which only a Paladin can have.

29- The Airship

While it does not sound as epic as the FF III version, this is still an excellent track. It is… uplifting! The violins are very joyful while the background drums remind you that you are flying a military device, after all.

30- Trojan Beauty

The theme you hear while inside Troia city and Castle. The harp help creating the beauty of this lusciously green region while the flute adds a nice touch of magic.

31- Samba de Chocobo

The black chocobo theme. The track fits well with the title and you can recognize the chocobo theme, but I think the tempo was too quick to be really enjoyable. It was done better in Final Fantasy V (it was called mambo, therefore it is slower).

32- Tower of Bab-II

The great tower going to the skies. Sounds familiar… anyway this is yet another great track from this album. The violin intro has good drama while the core of the loop has, once again, an exchange between violins and trumpets to carry the “importance” of the theme better. Of course, the drums (and bass) help enforcing the “dungeoness” of the theme.

33- Somewhere in the World

The cutscenes during which you see Golbez plotting to get the crystals. It is the “anti” Long Way to Go. There is no flute, just dramatic violins with a bit of harp in the background. It gives it the right amount of drama for the situation.

34- Land of Dwarves

Self-explanatory. The violin and muted trumpet (?) intro is perfect for an underground theme, while the main flute track makes the track both sound mysterious and joyful. After all, who would not want to live surrounded by lava?

35- Giotto, the great King

The dwarf castle theme. I never really cared for this theme. The use of low brass just does not sound appealing to my ears. Also the waltz rhythm just sounds weird.

36- Dancing Calcobrena

Now THAT is a good waltz. The background organ creates the perfect evil atmosphere for these possessed dolls while the flute adds a “we are going to get you!” feeling from the dolls.

37- Tower of Zot

I wonder why it was put so low in the playing list (you hear it around Troia). Anyway, this is yet another good military theme, perfect for the mission of giving the Earth crystal in exchange for Rosa. There are drums all through the track, while the loop is divided between dramatic violins and trumpets.

38- Illusionary World

You hear the theme both in the Summoner village and the fairies’ cave where Yang rests. The track is very fitting of its title with the flute sounding very mysterious while the harp in the background (even though it repeats the same notes) also adds to the mystery. Finally the violin track, slow and stretching the notes, even adds a touch of magic.

39- The Big Whale

Your spaceship. Literally. It sounds much more epic than the regular airship theme with its loud and triumphant trumpet. The violin choir in the background make the theme sound very grand, as if getting you ready for traveling to outer space. The drums and cymbals also help to make the theme great.

40- Another Moon

The overworld theme when you are walking on the moon. A very fitting theme for this mysterious place no one has explore in ages. The main brass track is perfect to introduce mystery while the main violin track adds a lot of drama.

Unreleased: Hummingway’s Theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yl4mt_jl7cM&index=30&list=PLCF7D6444B00D847A

I believe the Hummingways only appear in FF IV (PSX and Super Famicom). You hear that whenever you talk to an inhabitant of the small village. It is very short so do not worry about it; it is fairly upbeat!

41- The Lunarians

When you speak with FuSoYa or when you are inside a Lunar Cave towards the crystal Palace. The intro track (a very low string) is perfect for the mysterious atmosphere of the moon while the main instrument in the loop dispels the mystery a little. Finally, the quick-tempoed harp in the background even adds a little touch of magic.

42- Within the Giant

When trying to defeat the Giant of Bab-Il, but also in the second part of the final dungeon. For that latter one, it did not sound dramatic enough, compared for example with Dark Crystals in FF III. But for the Giant it was perfect; there is a constant bass-like sound in the background that fits the high-tech environment while another constant sound I can not describe adds drama. The main trumpet track is slow and heroic while the violins are rather discrete but add the right touch.

43- The final Battle

Self-explanatory. For the longest time this was my favorite such theme of all time. The intro trumpets show that THIS is going to be a dramatic fight; there is also a sound that helps create more drama. The second part of the intro (which does not get looped back) has trumpets bursting loud and clear to add to the drama while the very quick drums add tension. The core of the loop does not sound as dramatic in its first part, exchanging once again between trumpets and violins. The second part however is interestingly composed, and you can only appreciate it if you have stereo sound.

44- Epilogue

Wow! It sounds so epic that it seems to have been composed for the conclusion of the Final Fantasy series as a whole. The introduction is very slow and low tone, when you see the full Legend of Mysidia scrolling on the screen. The first part is introduced by drums, setting the stage for a very joyful version of the Main Theme (played with trumpets rather than a flute). That part ends, becomes a little quiet and then starts again with harp (where the Moon departs from its orbit). It then build up to play a more epic version of the Prologue, when Cecil and Rosa become King and Queen of Baron. The use of drums help make the theme even better. The last part that concludes the epilogue does it very well. The first instrument you hear other than the trumpet is excellent (adding a weird but good drama), and when the trumpet kicks it introduces the end theme. After the second loop the trumpet gets even louder with the violins to bring an epic ending. It lasts over 10 minutes!

Final diagnosis: you definitely should play this game and listen to its beautiful soundtrack. From what I hear of it, it is superior to the DS version despite being higher tech.