Remove Ad, Sign Up
Register to Remove Ad
Register to Remove Ad
Remove Ad, Sign Up
Register to Remove Ad
Register to Remove Ad
Signup for Free!
-More Features-
-Far Less Ads-
About   Users   Help
Users & Guests Online
On Page: 1
Directory: 85
Entire Site: 8 & 1339
Page Admin: janus, zanderlex,
03-18-24 10:13 PM

Thread Information

Views
395
Replies
0
Rating
0
Status
CLOSED
Thread
Creator
janus
08-21-16 11:07 AM
Last
Post
janus
08-21-16 11:07 AM
Additional Thread Details
Views: 325
Today: 0
Users: 1 unique

Thread Actions

Thread Closed
New Thread
New Poll
Order
 

Game Review: Final Fantasy VII Piano Collection

 

08-21-16 11:07 AM
janus is Offline
| ID: 1296830 | 728 Words

janus
SecureYourCodeDavid
Level: 124

POSTS: 4513/4808
POST EXP: 565097
LVL EXP: 21378684
CP: 62605.8
VIZ: 457658

Likes: 0  Dislikes: 0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnSSsFUeh1g

Final Fantasy VII was really the first modern RPG, not only because it looked like it was in the 20th century (rather than medieval times) but also because it really inaugurated the 32-bit era. Despite underwhelming arrangements (early PSX games did not fully exploit the machine’s capabilities) it still had memorable tracks, some of which were done with the piano.

But like many piano tracks, a single instrument can not make up for a full orchestra. The Main Theme, for example, sounds kind of underwhelming and lacks the epicness of overworld theme – even compared to the original FF VII. Even “smashing” the keys does not make up for it. One-Winged Angel has that problem too. Despite a good introduction (albeit slower than the original) that kept its dark, final boss feel, the core of the track loses that feel. And it’s not the same without voices – smashing the keys doesn’t carry the same emotions. Aeris’ Theme has that problem too, to a lesser extent. The fully orchestrated version is still the best, but at least this version still shows a good aspect of Aeris’ characters. I find it more enjoyable than the original game version; it’s also a good track to relax to.

Piano can also spoil a track because it “betrays” the original track. Farm Boy had a Southern feel with banjo-like, mellow arrangements. The piano version keeps the beat but is much too slow and doesn’t feel countryside-like anymore. It’s good in itself but not as an adaptation. Cinco the Chocobo, on its side, doesn’t flow as well on the piano. We can recognize the “traditional” chocobo track arrangements but they are played staccato which spoils the track – Final Fantasy IV and V played it much better.

Fortunately, the album is not a complete waste. It actually features some of the best piano remixes ever like JENOVA. If you think you can play the piano, think again. Not only is it better than the original track, it’s also the absolute Final Fantasy piano remix ever. Even if it’s on the piano the tempo is perfect and the pianist carries the “major boss” battle feel all through the track – without any extension. Those Who Fight was also very good – so much that most concerts that sport the track use the piano version. Like JENOVA I find this version more enjoyable than the original one. The tempo is still upbeat, the arrangements are faithful to the original one and, while the loop extension is a little quieter, it is still worth your while.

Others, while not as good, are still enjoyable to listen to. Tifa’s theme, freed from its heavily synthesized arrangements, now sounds good! Like Aeris’ theme is seems to focus on her softer side while staying faithful to the original track. And since it’s less “triumphant” than Aeris’ theme, it’s actually better to relax to. Ahead on Our Way, also freed from its heavy game arrangements, sounds more welcoming than the original track. The tempo is a little slow – compared to Kids Run Through the City – but it is still very enjoyable (but the second part has “key smashing” that spoils the track a little). Gold Saucer, despite being played by the piano, still has the carnival feel of the original track. The tempo is even quite similar to the game track. Even the conclusion of the track was done very well; piano versions tend to fall flat a little.

Finally, a special mention for Rufus’ Welcoming Ceremony. I was once eating breakfast in an Old Quebec City restaurant (rue Saint-Jean, I believe). The music that was playing sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t exactly pinpoint what it was. Then, I swear to whatever, I heard this exact track! I asked the waitress, “Is it just me or I’m hearing the piano version of a video game track?” “Oh, it’s possible, we play that music because it’s relaxing.” By the way, despite sounding less triumphant than the original track, it still has this “welcoming” feeling of the original track. In fact, it almost sounds better on the piano.

In short, the Final Fantasy VII Piano Collection is a mixed bag. Some tracks are excellent – better than the original – while others simply not live up to their original version. Listen to it to form your own opinion!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnSSsFUeh1g

Final Fantasy VII was really the first modern RPG, not only because it looked like it was in the 20th century (rather than medieval times) but also because it really inaugurated the 32-bit era. Despite underwhelming arrangements (early PSX games did not fully exploit the machine’s capabilities) it still had memorable tracks, some of which were done with the piano.

But like many piano tracks, a single instrument can not make up for a full orchestra. The Main Theme, for example, sounds kind of underwhelming and lacks the epicness of overworld theme – even compared to the original FF VII. Even “smashing” the keys does not make up for it. One-Winged Angel has that problem too. Despite a good introduction (albeit slower than the original) that kept its dark, final boss feel, the core of the track loses that feel. And it’s not the same without voices – smashing the keys doesn’t carry the same emotions. Aeris’ Theme has that problem too, to a lesser extent. The fully orchestrated version is still the best, but at least this version still shows a good aspect of Aeris’ characters. I find it more enjoyable than the original game version; it’s also a good track to relax to.

Piano can also spoil a track because it “betrays” the original track. Farm Boy had a Southern feel with banjo-like, mellow arrangements. The piano version keeps the beat but is much too slow and doesn’t feel countryside-like anymore. It’s good in itself but not as an adaptation. Cinco the Chocobo, on its side, doesn’t flow as well on the piano. We can recognize the “traditional” chocobo track arrangements but they are played staccato which spoils the track – Final Fantasy IV and V played it much better.

Fortunately, the album is not a complete waste. It actually features some of the best piano remixes ever like JENOVA. If you think you can play the piano, think again. Not only is it better than the original track, it’s also the absolute Final Fantasy piano remix ever. Even if it’s on the piano the tempo is perfect and the pianist carries the “major boss” battle feel all through the track – without any extension. Those Who Fight was also very good – so much that most concerts that sport the track use the piano version. Like JENOVA I find this version more enjoyable than the original one. The tempo is still upbeat, the arrangements are faithful to the original one and, while the loop extension is a little quieter, it is still worth your while.

Others, while not as good, are still enjoyable to listen to. Tifa’s theme, freed from its heavily synthesized arrangements, now sounds good! Like Aeris’ theme is seems to focus on her softer side while staying faithful to the original track. And since it’s less “triumphant” than Aeris’ theme, it’s actually better to relax to. Ahead on Our Way, also freed from its heavy game arrangements, sounds more welcoming than the original track. The tempo is a little slow – compared to Kids Run Through the City – but it is still very enjoyable (but the second part has “key smashing” that spoils the track a little). Gold Saucer, despite being played by the piano, still has the carnival feel of the original track. The tempo is even quite similar to the game track. Even the conclusion of the track was done very well; piano versions tend to fall flat a little.

Finally, a special mention for Rufus’ Welcoming Ceremony. I was once eating breakfast in an Old Quebec City restaurant (rue Saint-Jean, I believe). The music that was playing sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t exactly pinpoint what it was. Then, I swear to whatever, I heard this exact track! I asked the waitress, “Is it just me or I’m hearing the piano version of a video game track?” “Oh, it’s possible, we play that music because it’s relaxing.” By the way, despite sounding less triumphant than the original track, it still has this “welcoming” feeling of the original track. In fact, it almost sounds better on the piano.

In short, the Final Fantasy VII Piano Collection is a mixed bag. Some tracks are excellent – better than the original – while others simply not live up to their original version. Listen to it to form your own opinion!

Site Staff
YouTube Video Editor
the unknown


Affected by 'Laziness Syndrome'

Registered: 12-14-12
Location: Murica
Last Post: 33 days
Last Active: 4 hours

Links

Page Comments


This page has no comments

Adblocker detected!

Vizzed.com is very expensive to keep alive! The Ads pay for the servers.

Vizzed has 3 TB worth of games and 1 TB worth of music.  This site is free to use but the ads barely pay for the monthly server fees.  If too many more people use ad block, the site cannot survive.

We prioritize the community over the site profits.  This is why we avoid using annoying (but high paying) ads like most other sites which include popups, obnoxious sounds and animations, malware, and other forms of intrusiveness.  We'll do our part to never resort to these types of ads, please do your part by helping support this site by adding Vizzed.com to your ad blocking whitelist.

×