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11-29-15 07:33 PM
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Game Review: Final Fantasy IV Piano Collection

 

11-29-15 07:33 PM
janus is Offline
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9G2HA86r6M

This album seems to have started the tradition of “remixing” video game tracks on the piano. Of course it doesn’t remix the whole album; it does it with the ones more prone to piano. The overall result is not the best, but there are some excellent tracks. Here is my review.

1- Prelude

This track is definitely better when played by a harp, real or otherwise. It sounds like the pianist was missing keys from his piano; the first part feels incomplete. And the “extended” loop first introduced in Final Fantasy IV suffers from the piano’s “limitations.” Just skip it

2- Theme of Love

This track was much better. The piano is actually an excellent instrument for this track. The tempo is very slow and the keys are played very softly in the first part. They are also played “individually”, making for an even more romantic atmosphere. The pianist starts using both hands in the second part, but it doesn’t take away the romance.

3- Prologue

Another track that feels “empty” without other instruments. The notes are played better than with the prelude, but only having piano notes makes you want more. And the key “smashing” in the second part simply destroys the theme. Just skip it.

4- Welcome to Our Town!

After a long intro, the core of the loop is played in a very interesting manner. It feels much more soothing and “welcoming” than the original track. However, the track suffers from the original one’s short length; the middle of the loop has piano “improve” that doesn’t suit the track.

5- Main Theme

The notes are played in a similar manner as the prelude… which makes the track uninteresting. In fact, you need to pay really close attention in order to actually recognize the track. Only the second part of the loop can be easily recognized. And the “key smashing” makes things even worse. Just skip it.

6- Chocobo-Chocobo

Now THAT is an excellent track. After a jolly intro that sets the tone right, the track is played in an equally jolly fashion, even better than Celtic Moon did it. The second part is played with flat keys, which was an interesting idea. Even the “key smashing” towards the end was done better.

7- Into the Darkness

Another track that suffers from being only on the piano. The tempo is much too slow, and you can barely recognize the track. The Celtic Moon version was easier to recognize, even though THAT track wasn’t the best. Just skip it.

8- Rydia

By far the best track of the album… and even one of the best piano “remixes” ever. I’m not lying, my eyes get watery every time I hear the track or even think about it! The tempo is just the right, the intro to the loop is just wonderful and the core of the loops – with their slight modifications – make for a track so much better than the original.

9- Melody of Lute

This is one interesting track. I believe it was able to capture Edward’s frail nature much better than the original arrangements. It starts slowly and quietly like the original track, but then it gets louder and louder, ending in an interesting crescendo. The “key smashing” is even tolerable.

10- Golbez, Clad in the Dark

While the track plays in very low keys as it should, it wasn’t up to the original track with its “organ.” It sounds dark, but not as “scary” as the original one. Plus the tempo is too slow for my taster. Just skip it.

11- Troian Beauty

Even though the tempo is much slower than the original (or even Celtic Moon), I think this track is wonderful. It gives Troia a much more discrete beauty. Even the “extended loop” was played very well, adding to the “beauty.”

12- The Battle

The title should have been plural since it incorporates more than one battle theme. The regular battle theme suffers from the limitations of the piano. Oh, you can recognize the track all right. Unfortunately the tempo is much too slow to be good. However, the dreadful battle theme (immediately after) has a much more upbeat tempo, the “background beat” is played very well and the main one is excellent too. The pianist makes good use of his instrument; the theme is even cut in half, which I think was interesting.

13- Epilogue

Another track suffering from being played by only one instrument. The intro sounded very empty, although the first part (where the heroes go back home) felt more complete. It was slower than the original but the arrangements are perfect. However the emptiness returns for the second part (the coronation); the intro feels lonely with only a few notes played in the “echo.” It doesn’t even sound epic like the original track. Just skip it.

14- Theme of Love Practice Track (Orchestrated)

The violins and other strings in this track make for an even better romantic mood than the piano version – although there is piano in the background.

Final diagnosis: as an adaptation from a Final Fantasy game, this album is okay at best. Most of the track haven’t captured the original tracks very well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9G2HA86r6M

This album seems to have started the tradition of “remixing” video game tracks on the piano. Of course it doesn’t remix the whole album; it does it with the ones more prone to piano. The overall result is not the best, but there are some excellent tracks. Here is my review.

1- Prelude

This track is definitely better when played by a harp, real or otherwise. It sounds like the pianist was missing keys from his piano; the first part feels incomplete. And the “extended” loop first introduced in Final Fantasy IV suffers from the piano’s “limitations.” Just skip it

2- Theme of Love

This track was much better. The piano is actually an excellent instrument for this track. The tempo is very slow and the keys are played very softly in the first part. They are also played “individually”, making for an even more romantic atmosphere. The pianist starts using both hands in the second part, but it doesn’t take away the romance.

3- Prologue

Another track that feels “empty” without other instruments. The notes are played better than with the prelude, but only having piano notes makes you want more. And the key “smashing” in the second part simply destroys the theme. Just skip it.

4- Welcome to Our Town!

After a long intro, the core of the loop is played in a very interesting manner. It feels much more soothing and “welcoming” than the original track. However, the track suffers from the original one’s short length; the middle of the loop has piano “improve” that doesn’t suit the track.

5- Main Theme

The notes are played in a similar manner as the prelude… which makes the track uninteresting. In fact, you need to pay really close attention in order to actually recognize the track. Only the second part of the loop can be easily recognized. And the “key smashing” makes things even worse. Just skip it.

6- Chocobo-Chocobo

Now THAT is an excellent track. After a jolly intro that sets the tone right, the track is played in an equally jolly fashion, even better than Celtic Moon did it. The second part is played with flat keys, which was an interesting idea. Even the “key smashing” towards the end was done better.

7- Into the Darkness

Another track that suffers from being only on the piano. The tempo is much too slow, and you can barely recognize the track. The Celtic Moon version was easier to recognize, even though THAT track wasn’t the best. Just skip it.

8- Rydia

By far the best track of the album… and even one of the best piano “remixes” ever. I’m not lying, my eyes get watery every time I hear the track or even think about it! The tempo is just the right, the intro to the loop is just wonderful and the core of the loops – with their slight modifications – make for a track so much better than the original.

9- Melody of Lute

This is one interesting track. I believe it was able to capture Edward’s frail nature much better than the original arrangements. It starts slowly and quietly like the original track, but then it gets louder and louder, ending in an interesting crescendo. The “key smashing” is even tolerable.

10- Golbez, Clad in the Dark

While the track plays in very low keys as it should, it wasn’t up to the original track with its “organ.” It sounds dark, but not as “scary” as the original one. Plus the tempo is too slow for my taster. Just skip it.

11- Troian Beauty

Even though the tempo is much slower than the original (or even Celtic Moon), I think this track is wonderful. It gives Troia a much more discrete beauty. Even the “extended loop” was played very well, adding to the “beauty.”

12- The Battle

The title should have been plural since it incorporates more than one battle theme. The regular battle theme suffers from the limitations of the piano. Oh, you can recognize the track all right. Unfortunately the tempo is much too slow to be good. However, the dreadful battle theme (immediately after) has a much more upbeat tempo, the “background beat” is played very well and the main one is excellent too. The pianist makes good use of his instrument; the theme is even cut in half, which I think was interesting.

13- Epilogue

Another track suffering from being played by only one instrument. The intro sounded very empty, although the first part (where the heroes go back home) felt more complete. It was slower than the original but the arrangements are perfect. However the emptiness returns for the second part (the coronation); the intro feels lonely with only a few notes played in the “echo.” It doesn’t even sound epic like the original track. Just skip it.

14- Theme of Love Practice Track (Orchestrated)

The violins and other strings in this track make for an even better romantic mood than the piano version – although there is piano in the background.

Final diagnosis: as an adaptation from a Final Fantasy game, this album is okay at best. Most of the track haven’t captured the original tracks very well.

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