https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEC0D764EB9074BD

Shining Force II was released in 1994, one of the last great games from the “inferior” console (technically speaking; it has great games). While the plot tries to make a link with Shining Force I, I really consider both as independent games. For a Genesis game it feature amazing graphics, but also very good music, a spectacular improvement from the first game.

For one thing, the drum track isn’t has present. While there are still military-style tracks at least the drums don’t drown the main track. The Castle Theme, for example, only has drums in the first few seconds of the loops while the rest consists of brass and even flute that makes for a much better regal theme than in SF I. Even the most militaristic theme (Headquarter Theme) has a rather “quiet” drum track, while the main one has loud and joyous brass arrangements and military-style flute in the introduction that sounds lovely.

Some tracks don’t even have drums and they sound exceptional for the Genesis. The Town Theme is fairly upbeat compared to such themes on the Super Nintendo but it still feels very welcoming. Its main track has nice “wind” arrangements with bursts of brass in the background. In the second part it even incorporates joyous flat notes.  And I daresay it’s the most elaborate such themes: one loop lasts nearly one minute 40 seconds!

Elven Town/Mitula’s Theme (the preceding track with flute) also don’t have drums. Instead they have a rather quick harp playing with a few (piano?) keys in the background. It’s repetitive, I admit it, but nevertheless it sounds relaxing, especially in-game where the volume is actually lower. Mitula’s Shrine (also heard when you fly the Nazca ship) also has some harp but is MUCH more elaborate. It has a high-pitch flute along with other wind instruments to make a very magical theme; it really feels like you are flying. Mithril Diggers (the dwarf village) use synthesized flutes and staccato strings to make for a very good theme. It has an “underground” feel to it that is perfect for these miners.

Being the Genesis, there is also heavily synthesized music. But at least it fits well the moments it is used for. Prologue Theme (also used in the Sacred Sword cave) is very slow and heavy; it fitted the storm of the prologue very well and made for a very mysterious ambiance for the cave later on. The Witch’s Theme (and the Demon Head) are also synthesized, along with “whistling” effects that make the Demon Head even creepier. Devastation Theme sounds VERY heavy and “devastated” with the synth, but also with sad and very slow arrangements of various sorts (woods, flutes, brass). The Shrine Theme (a battlefield) is also heavily synthesized, but thanks to its slow tempo (and echoing effects) it’s just the perfect fit. The arrangements at the end of the loop (a flute?) make it sound like you are exploring ruins that are 1000 years old.

Speaking of battlefields, SF II is a tactical RPG most of the music you hear is in a battlefield, and it sounds much better than in SF I. Journey Into Darkness (the cave theme) sounds much more intriguing and dark and has just the right amount of drums. There are also high-pitch whistling effects that add a touch of creepy when you can’t quite see around you. Wandering Warriors (the overworld theme) is one of the most epic ever composed up to the 16-bit era. The loud brass in the intro show how huge the world is; they get a little quieter afterwards but keep their epicness. The last part of the loop is also quite epic with arrangements that were unimaginable for Phantasy Star II. Ready for War (the “public place” battlefield) isn’t as upbeat as its SF I version, but starting mid loop the mix of flute and drums is delightful. And the end use low-tone brass to make the theme quite epic. Final Battle (the last 2 battlefields) isn’t quite as epic as Dark Sol or Dark Dragon battle. The tempo is right and not drown in drums but the main track just doesn’t quite feel like a final battle.

However, the battle themes themselves were infinitely better, if only because there was more than one. Time to Attack (regular ally battle theme) is quite epic with its trumpet intro; the rest of the loop has a quieter trumpet but still sounds good. Enemy Attack almost sounds like the evil copy of Time. It’s more upbeat and the drum track gives it a more dramatic tone. Speaking of drama, Panic moment (also the boss battle theme) REALLY sounds panicking. This very upbeat, the arrangements have an equally quick tempo and, despite being so short, doesn’t even get annoying since you want to escape/resist the enemy’s strong attacks. Finally, Zeon Theme is a more elaborate version of the preceding theme that sounds very dramatic with its “whistling” effect and high-pitch trumpet in the background. It’s especially perfect when Zeon captures Ellis and you see her move desperately.

In short Shining Force II is an excellent addition to any video game music library. It showed (a little late) that the Sega Genesis was capable of have a great soundtrack without abusing their heavy synth or drum tracks.