https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYjJftnky1E

The Japanese are so lucky: they always get the video game soundtracks and their “remixes” before North America… if ever we get it. Granted, this album is not the best piano tracks ever, but it has a few interesting ones.

And these tracks greatly profit from being played on the piano. Tenderness in the Air (the quiet village theme) is slow and quiet to start with, which is much better than the loud “harp” from the original soundtrack. The “extended loop” is slightly more upbeat but you can still feel the welcomeness of the village. However Harvest was done much better. It doesn’t like cheap Celtic music; in fact a little like Mystic Mysidia from Final Fantasy IV Celtic mood it will uplift your mood instantly. The extended loop adds even more joy with its flat notes in the background (although the finale is a little dry).

Others, while not excellent, are nevertheless interesting. Battle with Gilgamesh has a slower tempo than the original but nevertheless keeps a “major battle theme” feel with some loud notes and also flat ones. However the extended loop sounds a little too quiet. Waltz Clavier sounds better than the original because it’s played with a “real” instrument, but I personally prefer the fully orchestrated one. The tempo was more appropriate and had no extended loop – the piano version doesn’t sound like a waltz at all, although its beat is joyful. And Music Box, even played on the piano, retains its relaxing beat. However the extended loop and the finale grow louder and less interesting.

But for the other tracks, I can’t say I will remember them. Ahead on Our Way doesn’t epic at all compared to the original. And its slower tempo almost makes it sound like another track entirely. My Home, Sweet Home doesn’t have the sad, nostalgic mood of the original and also sounds quite different. Dear Friends does sound like the original track (albeit slower), but we can’t feel Cara’s sorrow of being left virtually alone one year after saving the planet. And the New Origins doesn’t feel like an ending theme.

In short, I would not recommend buying the full Final Fantasy V piano album. Despite a few good tracks that are at least as good as the originals, most of them are far inferior. They are either too slow, lack epicness or sound completely different.